Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) seeks an experienced and visionary leader to serve as its next Vice Chancellor – Student Affairs, advancing a dynamic experience and sense of belonging for its community of diverse and talented students.

Nationally recognized as one of the nation’s top public universities in the “Best Colleges” rankings released by U.S. News & World Report and widely known as the most comprehensive campus in the 10-campus University of California system, UC Davis is composed of four colleges and six professional schools that offer 104 undergraduate majors and 96 graduate and professional degrees. Designated as an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution, UC Davis enrolls about 37,000 students, brings in nearly $800 million annually in sponsored research and contributes at least $8 billion to the California economy each year.

Reporting directly to Chancellor Gary S. May, the vice chancellor – student affairs (VCSA) provides leadership, vision and strategic direction for a division that includes nearly 30 defined departments with approximately 2.5 million square feet of space under management. The division is comprised of approximately 3,000 student employees and 750 talented and committed professional staff with a budget of almost $300 million. UC Davis' next vice chancellor will have the opportunity to build on the strengths of the student affairs division to meet the needs of a growing and changing student population and to elevate and enhance the student experience. The VCSA will articulate and implement a vision for the Division of Student Affairs focused upon student development and success and that is consistent with the university's broader commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and a sustainable culture of mutual respect.

The VCSA should have an in-depth understanding of all aspects of student affairs and will possess an abiding commitment to delivering a world-class student experience. The VCSA provides leadership and strategic direction for the Division of Student Affairs while interpreting and managing the evolving and complex nature of student affairs in higher education. The VCSA must be knowledgeable and remain current on national and global issues pertaining to student success, diversity and inclusion, mental health, health and wellness, free speech, financial and food security, housing and dining, crisis management, sexual assault, conduct and compliance within the context of a student-centered, public research university.

The successful candidate will be a visionary, collaborative, skilled and innovative leader with exceptional administrative, financial and managerial skills and business acumen, along with proven experience in a dynamic and complex professional environment. The vice chancellor will possess a holistic approach to the student experience, with a lens of diversity and inclusion, and will passionately advocate for and serve the needs of the entire student body, including undergraduate, graduate, professional, transfer, international, first generation, veterans and students from underrepresented groups. The vice chancellor will center equity in their work, display integrity in behavior and decisions and partner successfully with internal and external constituencies, including highly engaged faculty, staff, local community members and advisory councils. Finally, the VCSA will represent the division and the university to the media, the public, and local and state government agencies. A terminal degree and seven to ten years of progressively responsible and relevant leadership experience is required. To learn more on this search, a comprehensive leadership profile for this search is available at wittkieffer.com.

Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. For fullest consideration, applicant materials should be received by January 13, 2020. Candidates should provide a resume or curriculum vitae and a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the leadership profile. These materials should be sent electronically via e-mail to the WittKieffer consultants, Jen Meyers Pickard, Ph.D., and Sarah Miller, at UCDavisVCSA@wittkieffer.com. Questions and nominations may also be directed to the consultants through the same email address.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. The complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy is available online at https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/DiscHarassAffirmAction.