Vice President for Student Affairs

Rider University seeks inquiries, applications and nominations for the position of Vice President for Student Affairs.  Reporting to the President, the Vice President for Student Affairs serves on the President’s Cabinet, and provides visionary, creative, and energetic leadership for the Division of Student Affairs and participates with other leaders supporting and crafting strategic, transformative change college-wide.

About the University

Rider University is a vibrant, student-centered community of learners and scholars regionally recognized as a top-tier institution. With campuses located in Lawrenceville and Princeton, New Jersey, Rider is an independent, residential university with approximately 248 full-time faculty, and 5,050 undergraduate, graduate, and non-traditional students from 82 countries, 43 states and 2 US territories. Rider is organized into five colleges - the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; the College of Business Administration; the Westminster College of the Arts; the College of Education and Human Services; and the College of Continuing Studies. The University offers 67 undergraduate programs in the fine and performing arts, humanities, sciences, social sciences, education and business, as well as 35 graduate programs in business administration, education, liberal arts, sciences, fine and performing art, counseling, and leadership. Rider is distinguished by the talent and dedication of its people, by the excellence of its academic programs, and by its teaching, scholarship, artistic expression, professional practice and service to the community.

Under the leadership of President Gregory Dell’Omo, who began his presidency in August 2015, the president has strategically focused on strengthening the students’ experience in and out of the classroom. It is clear that his commitment to a comprehensive, holistic, vibrant student life will be hallmarks for the future.

About the Position

The Vice President for Student Affairs is a new position. Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President for Student Affairs will work to create programs and strategies that add value to the student learning experience outside of the academic classroom.  The Vice President for Student Affairs will serve as the chief student affairs officer and is a member of the President’s Cabinet. 

The Vice President will oversee the strategic planning, assessment, training and policy development for the division; create, review, and manage the division’s budget; and review and make personnel decisions regarding the allocation of positions and funding.  He/she will serve on the Enrollment Management Committee, Retention Task Force Committee, and Human Resource Action Committee.

The Vice President for Student Affairs will focus on the following:

  • Developing policies and programs that add value to the student learning experience outside of the academic classroom;
  • Assessing student life at Rider University and utilizing the assessment data to make strategic, transformative decisions and plans for the division;
  • Developing a close working relationship with all divisions of the University, particularly the Provost and academic affairs staff;
  • Developing policies and procedures which enhance the ability of student affairs to interact with all divisions to meet the goals of the University;
  • Prioritizing resource allocations to meet the needs of the University and the division; and
  • Serving as a member of the senior management team.

In Fall 2017 a new graduation requirement for the entering freshmen class, entitled the Engaged Learning Program, will be implemented.  This program, informed by the work of George Kuh, et.al., requires all students to participate in high impact practices equivalent to 6 credits. The Vice President for Student Affairs will work closely with the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs in the implementation and support of this new program.

The Vice President will provide strategic and over-arching leadership to an array of offices and services that are currently organized as follows:  Associate Dean of Students Office functions on the Princeton campus, Alcohol, Drug, & Sexual Assault Prevention, Campus Chaplains, Campus Life, Community Services/Service Learning, Community Standards, Career Services, Counseling Services, Campus Card/CS Gold, Dean of Students Office functions, Educational Opportunity Program, First & Second Year Programs, Freshman Seminar, Greek Life, Health Services, McNair Scholars, Multicultural Affairs, Radio Station, Recreation and Intramural Programs, Residence Life, and Student Support Services.

The role administers 9 direct reports with 60 full- and 3 part-time staff, 17 Graduate Assistants, and 150 Undergraduate Student Workers.  The position oversees a divisional budget of $6,111,326. Benefits are not charged to the divisional budget.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must possess a Master’s degree in student affairs or related field; a Ph.D. or Ed.D. is preferred.  Experience requirements include a minimum of ten years of leadership responsibility in Student Affairs including at the level of Dean of Students or Associate Vice President of Student Affairs level. Candidates should be strong, outgoing, charismatic, articulate leaders.  They should be known for their resourcefulness, creativity, and student-mindedness with excellent verbal and written skills, and the ability to build rapport and establish trust with a wide variety of constituencies and stakeholders.   

Additional qualifications include:

  • Strong strategic planning and operational skills;
  • Competence with the use of research and assessment tools in student affairs to define and monitor goals;
  • Knowledge of student development theory and how it relates to the overall university experience;
  • Success in enhancing the quality of student learning and development;
  • Demonstrated record of effectively managing conflict; and
  • Knowledge of issues facing colleges and universities particularly higher education law as it pertains to college students and Title IX.

How to Apply

Interested individuals should send a letter of application that indicates how their skills and experiences align with the stated qualifications for the position, a resume, and contact information including email addresses for five references.  Confidentiality will be maintained and references will not be contacted without prior approval of the candidate.

The packet should be sent electronically to Rider@wspelman.com. The subject line in the email should be RUVPSA. Confidential inquiries may be made by contacting Susan Salvador at Susan@wspelman.com or at 585-230-4013.

For full consideration, all materials should be received by Friday, February 17, 2017. This position will remain open until filled.

Rider University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class status in the administration of its admissions, financial aid, educational or athletic programs, or other University-administered programs or in its employment practices.