President

The Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) and the newly established Vermont State University invite nominations and applications for the University’s inaugural role of President at a truly unique institution that is committed to providing high quality, yet affordable and accessible education. The University is envisioned as the first state-wide hybrid institution in the nation, delivering on the promise to our students that Vermont is their campus, with programs that span our state, for the benefit of our students and families, our communities, our workforce, our economy, and our future.

Vermont State University seeks a bold, visionary, and effective leader to create, enhance, and advance the academic programs and initiatives of a newly created and growth-minded institution. The successful candidate will:

  • support faculty development and aspirations;
  • work with an engaged student body that has a strong work ethic;
  • collaborate with other institutions of higher education within Vermont as well as citizens, community leaders, and local officials for the advancement of the University and the state; and,
  • work with legislators and others to help advocate for the University.

Reporting to the Chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges System, and working closely with the Board of Trustees, the President exercises broad responsibilities for all aspects of the academic, student, financial, and development dimensions of Vermont State University. Broadly, the role of the President will be more strategic than tactical as there will be campus directors reporting to the President. These directors will be in charge of the day-to-day operations. The President is also expected to work collaboratively with the President of Community College of Vermont and the head of Workforce Development for the Vermont State Colleges System.

Vermont State University seeks a leader whose professional experiences and personal values align with the University’s student-centered and community-oriented ethos. The ideal new President will possess:

  • outstanding leadership and management experience;
  • a deep understanding of and respect for academic values and the traditions of higher education, as well as the ability to grasp and manage the demands of higher education today, including technology, and adapting to a quickly changing world;
  • the capacity to work with varied stakeholders to create and implement a broad, bold vision for the newly created University, which will allow the institution to leverage and build upon its strengths and unique position within Vermont and beyond; and,
  • a record of achievement in strengthening and infusing diversity and inclusion in their current operation.

 

A terminal degree is preferred, but not required.

ABOUT VERMONT STATE UNIVERSITY

Vermont State University will be formed from the combination of Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College, and will operate five campuses across the state plus additional remote sites.  From July 2022 until July 2023, the President will oversee the last year of this transition, serving simultaneously as the President of Vermont State University and President of Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College.  It is envisioned that by July 2023, all work will be completed to finalize the transition to a singly accredited institution. Building upon the proud history of these institutions, Vermont State University is dedicated to improving the lives of students of all types from all over the world—and in particular, students from Vermont—while strengthening the economic and cultural vitality of the state.

Across the four institutions of the VSCS – Castleton University, Community College of Vermont, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College – the system educates more than 10,000 Vermonters and non-Vermonters each year, employs more than 3,000 Vermonters, and in Spring 2020, graduated more than 1,800 Vermonters and out-of-state students into the workforce with certificates and degrees.

In 2020, the Vermont State Colleges System embarked on a period of transformation that includes the consolidation of three institutions into a singly accredited entity by July 1, 2023, with administrative transformation and physical transformation over the next five years. When fully transitioned, the VSCS will be comprised of Vermont State University and the Community College of Vermont (CCV). The new University will increase the reach of learning opportunities for all learners, fueling Vermont’s economic pipeline, and creating opportunities for learners of all ages who would otherwise lack access to affordable higher education opportunities.

The annual operating budget for Vermont State University is $154 million, of which approximately 60 percent is derived from tuition, fees, room and board, and 19 percent from state appropriations. In recent years, the level of state support has increased with the State of Vermont providing bridge funding above $49.8 million for the Vermont State Colleges, plus $20 million in transformation funding, $10.5 million in Coronavirus Relief Funding (CRF), $15 million in scholarship support, and a $5 million increase to the base appropriation.

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

Steve Leo, Managing Director

Matthew Bunting, Managing Associate

Storbeck Search

VermontStateUniversityPresident@storbecksearch.com

For more information about Vermont State University, and to view the position profile, please visit: www.vsc.edu/PresidentialSearch

Vermont State University and the Vermont State Colleges System are committed to diversity and providing safe and nondiscriminatory employment and educational environments.