Vice President for Student Affairs

In December 2015, the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees appointed a new and dynamic President, Dr. Laurie Nichols, to lead the University of Wyoming (UW). Under her leadership, UW has embarked on an ambitious strategic planning process that will lead to the creation of a bold, new vision for the University. To accelerate UW's pursuit of academic excellence and student success, UW seeks Vice President for Student Affairs candidates who are visionary, inspirational, and possess a commitment to student success and innovation.

Overview of the Division of Student Affairs

In keeping with the call for excellence across the University, the Division of Student Affairs serves to support students in access, development, success, and completion. Student Affairs employees touch students' lives at every stage from pre-enrollment through post-graduate support. As a land-grant institution, UW has the opportunity and responsibility to serve all the citizens in the state and Student Affairs is active in building the pipeline to college, promoting the university to prospective students, and ensuring affordability to all students including the underserved and at-risk. The Division's goal is to develop in students the life skills they need to be successful through the course of their degree and beyond as prepared global citizens. The Vice President for Student Affairs oversees UW units focused on student engagement and success, including: Residence Life and Dining Services; Dean of Students Office; Campus Recreation – including Outdoor Programs, Club and Intramural Sports; Student Health Service; University Counseling Center and Alcohol Awareness; Cowboy Parents Council; and Wyoming Union. For more information regarding the Division of Student Affairs, please visit http://www.uwyo.edu/studentaff/.

Position Summary

The Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for shaping the future of the University of Wyoming student experience and will be a creative, dedicated and student-centered leader who is committed to enhancing a diverse and inclusive environment. The Vice President will initiate, develop, maintain, and provide fiscal oversight for programs and services that support students in their academic pursuits, campus life and civic and social responsibilities. The Vice President will lead a talented and dedicated student affairs team in creating and maintaining a safe, healthy, and supportive environment that promotes students' intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development in a holistic way. They will establish and support collaborative relationships with students, student organizations, student government, the senior leadership team, faculty, and staff in order to offer a broad array of experiences at the University that engage students in learning and otherwise promote their success. The Student Affairs Division is supported by approximately 220 full-time staff and a budget of $40 million.

The Vice President will play an integral role in fulfilling the University's mission and be impactful in the delivery of services to students. Furthermore, s/he will enable and empower the Student Affairs team to effectively meet the goals of the University through strong partnerships across the institution and within communities the University serves. As an essential member of the University's senior leadership team, the Vice President will collaborate across divisional boundaries in their support of the University's mission and goals. The Vice President must recognize the importance of and continue to foster the relationship with the Division of Academic Affairs in the shared commitment to recruitment, student retention, and persistence to graduation. The Vice President will be expected to invest in new ideas as well as build upon effective programs and services and the many existing strengths of the University. The successful candidate will have a broad understanding of and be responsive to the competitive challenges, technological opportunities, and cutting-edge practices required for institutions and students to be successful in the rapidly-changing higher education landscape.

The new Vice President for Student Affairs must be able to recognize and act upon the unique characteristics of UW and its region, environment, and student populations. Further, they must have a deep understanding of and passion for higher education, the ability to inspire teamwork and cooperation, and the capacity to be innovative and take calculated risks.

For a complete position profile and list of qualifications, please visit http://www.storbeckpimentel.com/pd/UW/VPSA.pdf.

The University

Established in 1886, the University of Wyoming is a land-grant, doctoral/research university, Division I member of the NCAA—Mountain West Conference, set in the front range of the Rocky Mountains at 7,200 feet. UW is the only four-year public university in the state and combines major-university benefits and small-school advantages. The University offers 200 programs of study across a broad spectrum of disciplines and students generally experience small class sizes, affordable tuition, high quality education, and easy access to reputable teaching and research faculty. For the fall of 2016, more than 12,600 students enrolled in baccalaureate, graduate and professional programs. Approximately 10,340 students were enrolled on the Laramie campus. Students come to UW from 47 states, with 57% from Wyoming, 14% from nearby Colorado, 13% are ethnic minorities and 6% are international students.

The University has an annual operating budget of more than $500 million. State funding accounts for 40% of the revenues, with the remainder generated by a variety of sources including contracts and grants, foundation resources, and tuition. External research funding was over $95 million in FY16. Annual private giving for the same period exceeded $63 million. With the support of the Wyoming legislature and private donors and through institutional bonding (UW currently enjoys a Standard and Poor's rating of AA-, with a positive outlook), the university has received $925 million in capital construction and major maintenance funds over the past decade. For FY16, the University employed 761 full-time instructional and clinical faculty, including 620 tenured/tenured-track faculty. There were more than 2,200 other full-time benefited employees. Faculty members are internationally renowned for their research and scholarship and are innovative and creative teachers. Long recognized for its commitment to baccalaureate education, UW seeks greater recognition, both in academia and in the private sector, for its research, teaching, scholarly and creative endeavors, and graduate programs.

For more information about the University of Wyoming, please visit http://www.uwyo.edu/.

Application and Nomination Process

The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. Applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae and a letter of interest describing relevant experience. Submission of materials via e-mail is strongly encouraged. Nomination letters should include the name, position, address and telephone number of the nominee. All nominations and applications will be handled in confidence. Applications will remain confidential until the selection of the finalists, whose names and application materials will be made public.

Applications and letters of nomination should be submitted to:

Alberto Pimentel, Managing Partner

Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates

6512 Painter Avenue

Whittier, CA 90601

Email: apsearch@storbeckpimentel.com

Refer to code “UW-VPSA” in subject line

The University of Wyoming is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law and University policy. Please see www.uwyo.edu/diversity/fairness.

We conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of the background check.