Vice President of Student Affairs

Kenyon College invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice President of Student Affairs (VPSA).

Founded in 1824, Kenyon is one of the nation’s premier residential liberal arts colleges and the oldest private college in Ohio. The College has developed a distinctive identity and has earned an esteemed place among institutions of higher learning. Situated in Gambier, Ohio, Kenyon offers an intrinsic, vital sense of community and an energetic living and learning campus experience. Kenyon’s mission is to build strong foundations for lives of purpose and consequence and to harness the transformative power of a liberal arts education—engaging in spirited, informed, and collaborative inquiry—to form a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the world and all who inhabit it. Home to the Kenyon Review, one of the nation’s most esteemed literary magazines, Kenyon celebrates a rich literary tradition that promotes writing across academic disciplines. Kenyon’s offerings in the humanities, fine arts, natural sciences, and social sciences are decidedly strong, and the College is a top producer of Fulbright Fellows. It also ranks second among Division III institutions for fostering NCAA Postgraduate Scholars. More than 1,600 individuals make up Kenyon’s student community, representing a diverse group committed to the institution, to collaboratively building and broadening the campus culture, and to upholding the College’s mission.

As the chief student affairs officer, the VPSA is responsible for stewarding a diverse and vibrant Student Affairs division, while also serving as a key member of Kenyon’s senior administrative team. The VPSA will provide executive leadership to athletics, fitness, and recreation; Greek life; health and counseling; housing and residential life; student rights and responsibilities; diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism on campus; student engagement activities; and campus safety. The VPSA will foster the ongoing development of an increasingly diverse residential community, wherein students are encouraged to be responsible citizen leaders, facilitators, and active participants in campus life. At present, there are five direct reports to the VPSA and 123 full- and part-time staff in the Student Affairs division. The VPSA also oversees an operational budget of $10.9 million.

Reporting to Kenyon’s president, Sean Decatur, the VPSA will partner with a collaborative, highly effective senior leadership team as well as collegial and engaged faculty, staff, and student bodies in developing a forward-looking vision for the residential liberal arts at Kenyon. This vision will integrate academic, social, and residential elements into a holistic, unified experience. The successful candidate will bring extensive leadership experience; a deep knowledge of student development theory and best practices in student affairs; a focus on improving student outcomes through data analytics and metrics; a creative long-range vision; an open and transparent style; strong management and communication skills; and high levels of energy, integrity, and empathy. With support from all of Kenyon’s constituencies, the next VPSA will contribute to enhancing a dynamic and evolving student life environment; developing and sustaining an effective team; implementing the College’s strategic priorities and initiatives; fostering internal and external connectivity; providing support for marginalized students; and leading the division as the College expands its sense of community and culture.

Grounded in the belief that diversity challenges assumptions, opens minds, and unlocks our collective potential to solve problems, the VPSA will share the College’s mission to create and sustain a campus community that welcomes, understands, supports, and celebrates diversity of all kinds, including race and ethnicity, gender and sexual identity, regional and national origin, socioeconomic status, different learning styles and abilities, and more.

A master’s degree is required, and a terminal degree is preferred.

For best consideration, please send all nominations and applications to:

Shelly Weiss Storbeck, Global Education Practice Lead and Managing Director  

Carly Rose DiGiovanni, Senior Associate

KenyonVPSA@storbecksearch.com

For more information, please visit Kenyon College’s home page at https://www.kenyon.edu/.

Kenyon College is an equal opportunity employer and applications from members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged. It is the College's policy to evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. Kenyon College has a strong commitment to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Please visit our Diversity at Kenyon website.