VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS

The State University of New York at New Paltz (“SUNY New Paltz”, “New Paltz”, or “the College”), located in New Paltz, New York, seeks an innovative and accessible leader to serve as the Vice President of Student Affairs (“VPSA”). The new VPSA will join New Paltz at a time of tremendous momentum and opportunity, strengthening the integration of student intellectual, social, and residential life activities with the academic programs and mission of the College.

Founded in 1828, New Paltz is a selective, student-centered institution and is the only public university in the mid-Hudson region. The College enrolls approximately 6,600 undergraduates and 1,100 graduate students across 143 programs in six schools. As one of 64 institutions in the SUNY system, the College is a thriving member of a strong state-wide system that educates nearly 1.3 million students. At New Paltz, undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences provide a solid foundation for professional programs in the fine and performing arts, education, health care, business, and engineering.  

This is an opportune moment for New Paltz. Over the past decade, the College has been on a dramatic upward trajectory—strengthening its reach and reputation, improving the academic profile of its students, improving graduation and retention rates, increasing diversity amongst students and faculty, and completing many capital projects. The College has been successful in building a learning environment that is challenging, student-centered, personalized, and grounded in a range of high-impact learning experiences such as study abroad, undergraduate student research, the honors program, internships, living/learning communities, and a rich array of co-curricular activities and leadership opportunities.

In its next VPSA, New Paltz seeks a strategic thinker who will partner with a broad array of campus and community constituents in leading the College’s efforts to provide an integrated and exceptional student experience. Reporting to the President, the VPSA is a member of the President’s Cabinet and contributes to the collaborative efforts of the senior leadership team. As the senior student affairs officer, the VPSA oversees a budget of approximately $11 million and leads a division of 12 departments and more than 130 employees in an established and successful student affairs program.

The Vice President of Student Affairs must: provide visionary leadership to the division of student affairs and the College more broadly; work across departments to promote a fully unified student experience; support an increasingly diverse student body and build an inclusive environment; manage and develop an exceptionally strong student affairs team; work to articulate and demonstrate the role of student life throughout the campus community; build strong relationships with students; and serve as an ambassador and advocate for students beyond the College community.

The successful candidate will be a visible, student-centered leader with a highly collaborative management style and a strong record of creating a climate of openness and mutual respect, and a demonstrated commitment to working across departments to educate the whole student. S/he must also possess a deep understanding of the educational value of a residential college and be astute to the trends, challenges, and opportunities for innovation in student affairs. A master’s (minimum) or doctoral degree in a relevant field with a record of substantial and increasingly responsible experience in student life is required.

All inquiries, nominations/referrals, and resumes with cover letters, should be sent electronically and in confidence to:

Kate Barry, Principal

Randi Alberry, Associate

Isaacson, Miller

www.imsearch.com/6075

The State University of New York at New Paltz is an AA/EOE/ADA employer.