Vice President for Student Affairs

DePauw University, consistently ranked one of the country's top 50 liberal arts colleges, seeks an exceptional leader for its next Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA). A strategic partner to the university's president and to its students, faculty, staff and trustees, this accomplished professional will be a significant institution-wide leader and a critical member of the president's highly collaborative and collegial Cabinet.

 

Set in the idyllic town of Greencastle, Indiana (pop. 10,300), DePauw University provides what few American universities can offer: the quintessential college experience. Centered around broad green spaces and populated with both historic buildings reflecting its 183-year history and new structures meeting the needs of today's students and faculty, DePauw offers a close-knit, supportive and intellectually-invigorating experience for students from Indiana and around the world.

 

Forty-miles from Indianapolis, DePauw is the leading liberal arts college in Indiana, enrolling 1,726 undergraduates on its 655-acre campus that is 99% residential. DePauw has a student-faculty ratio of 8-1 and a $812 million endowment. Providing higher education focused on the future, DePauw has historically attracted the future civic, business and cultural leaders in the state, while also drawing national and international enrollment. During the past decade, DePauw has significantly diversified its student body—20% are domestic students of color, 17% are international students, and 19% are first-generation college goers. A high priority of the new strategic plan will be to enhance student satisfaction and success, especially for students from historically underrepresented groups.

 

With the arrival of Dr. Lori S. White as the university's 21st President on July 1, 2020, this is an exciting time for DePauw. In conversations with constituents both on and off campus, there is tremendous enthusiasm for President White, her leadership style and the potential impact her tenure will make on the university.

 

Central to this impact will be the partnership between the president and the next vice president for student affairs. In coordination with a talented and dedicated Student Affairs staff and the DePauw faculty, the next vice president for student affairs will develop a comprehensive vision for the division built on the new strategic plan's transcendent priorities that are future-oriented, student-centered and grounded in diversity, equity and inclusion principles. Specifically, the VPSA will work to create a vibrant student experience that brings DePauw's diverse community of students together while supporting individual student identities and interests; motivating students to expand their horizons; strengthening student health and well-being; and creating a strong bond of belonging at the university. DePauw seeks an individual who values the educational experience offered through the residential, undergraduate liberal arts tradition. At a time of renewed energy and optimism, this is an opportunity to become a critical part of an inclusive, shared-governance community.

 

The vice president, in close partnership with the president, will skillfully balance and prioritize creating a highly collaborative and supportive campus environment in which all students can thrive academically and developmentally. The vice president will also develop and advance an innovative, inclusive and unifying strategic vision for Student Affairs in alignment with DePauw's strategic direction; engage faculty and academic affairs to advance student success; support a diverse student population and advocate for their needs; build on a culture of collaboration, shared governance and excellent communication; create opportunities for campus-wide conversation on key student life issues including the optimal campus social and residential experience; keep a keen focus and attention to the changing well-being needs of students; and lead and engage with a talented staff and student body.

 

The successful candidate will be a strategic and entrepreneurial leader who is skilled in understanding and utilizing proven strategies to navigate complex organizational structures and who holds a deep commitment to collaboration, relational leadership and creative problem-solving and thinking. The vice president will demonstrate exceptional administrative, financial and managerial acumen and possess a broad knowledge of current student affairs issues and trends. The vice president will display integrity and transparency in decisions and demonstrate a deep commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion as a strategic priority. A doctoral degree and a proven record of broad and progressive senior-level, higher education administrative management and leadership experience in the context of a liberal arts environment is preferred.

 

WittKieffer is assisting DePauw University in this search. Applications will be accepted through February 21, 2022 or until the position is filled.

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile. Professional references are not requested at this time.

Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Jen Meyers Pickard, Ph.D., Darrien Davenport, Ed.D. and Greg Duyck at DePauwVPSA@wittkieffer.com.

 

DePauw University, in affirmation of its commitment to excellence, endeavors to provide equal opportunity for all individuals in its hiring, promotion, compensation and admission procedures. Institutional decisions regarding hiring, promotion, compensation and admission will be based upon a person’s qualifications and/or performance without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, gender, gender identity or gender expression, except where religion, gender, or national origin is a bona fide occupational qualification.

DePauw University’s goals and commitments are best served if the institution reflects the diversity of our society; hence, DePauw seeks diversity in all areas and levels of employment and abides by all local, state and federal regulations concerning equal employment opportunities. The university admits, hires and promotes individuals upon their qualities and merits.