Vice President, Member Solutions

Common App, a non-profit membership organization representing nearly 900 diverse institutions of higher education across all 50 states and 20 countries, seeks an outstanding leader to serve as its inaugural Vice President, Member Solutions (VPMS). Acting as a strategic thought partner and member of the leadership team, the new VPMS will greatly extend the reach of one of the nation's most impactful, mission-centric education access organizations.

More than 40 years ago, a small group of 15 forward-thinking colleges and universities came together to reimagine the college application process. What began as an experiment to simplify the admission process evolved into a college access movement. Common App's steadfast commitment to the pursuit of access, equity and integrity in the college admission process has not wavered, but as the path to higher education and technology landscapes have evolved over time, the organization has been proactive and intentional in its response. It continues to serve member schools, the students who apply to them and the counselors and teachers who support them, and each year more than one million students—a third of whom are first generation—apply to college through Common App.

Common App's proud history of leadership means it also has taken steps to address societal shifts and needs. Recent efforts to close the equity gap are effecting real change, specifically by educating all students—regardless of circumstance—about the value, attainability and affordability of postsecondary education. In 2019, Common App joined forces with Reach Higher, a college access initiative started by former First Lady Michelle Obama during her time at the White House. Common App is proud to continue that work with Reach Higher as part of the access and equity team, and events like College Signing Day celebrate and shine a spotlight on high school seniors and transfer students. To say it is an exciting time for Common App may be an understatement; the organization is embracing and extending its foundational commitment to access while enacting large-scale transformation.

Member Solutions is a newly organized area and includes teams focused on the overall membership outreach and growth strategy for Common App with an eye toward emerging trends, issues and priorities within the enrollment field and across higher education. Grounded in that perspective, the VPMS will lead a team responsible for engaging and expanding membership; developing new opportunities for members; and providing value-added technology and programmatic solutions and partnerships based on market insights, data and analysis.

Reporting to President & CEO, Jenny Rickard, the VPMS will bring significant expertise and leadership experience in admission/enrollment as well as strategic thinking, strong analytical and technological capacity and a passion for access in higher education. The successful candidate will possess an understanding of how the post-secondary and traditional higher educational landscapes are shifting and how that will impact Common App member institutions. The VPMS will demonstrate the ability to forge strong partnerships internally and externally as well as mission-centric leadership on behalf of the organization and its values.

Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Common App's consultants, Amy Crutchfield and Bree Liddell, can be reached at CommonAppVPMS@wittkieffer.com or via the desk of Paula Verace at pverace@wittkieffer.com.

Candidates should provide a resume and a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the leadership profile, available at www.wittkieffer.com. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Common App values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.