Senior Vice President for Student Life

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT LIFE

Duquesne University seeks an innovative, forward-thinking, and inclusive leader to serve as its next Senior Vice President for Student Life (SVPSL). A member of the President’s Cabinet and an officer of the University, the SVPSL will lead a division committed to creating a positive, inclusive, and safe co-curricular learning environment at one of the nation’s leading Catholic research universities. The SVPSL will lead the division as it strengthens and innovates its various programs and initiatives to meet the mission of Duquesne University: to serve God by serving students, so that they, in turn, may serve others.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an innovative and collaborative leader to lead and strengthen a student life division. The SVPSL will be charged with assessing current practices and culture and articulating a vision for student life consistent with the University’s strategic plan, mission, and ambitious future. The new SVPSL will arrive at a time when Duquesne will open its new College of Osteopathic Medicine, launch new engineering programs, implement a transformational $50 million commitment to the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, and work toward the conclusion of a campaign to raise a third of a billion dollars. With three housing facilities newly built or remodeled in public-private partnerships and a strong team of direct reports, the SVPSL will have momentum to use during and after the leadership transition.

Duquesne offers nationally recognized academic programs, a strong financial position, a beautiful urban campus, an entrepreneurial approach to new curricular and co-curricular development, a talented and committed community, a close connection to one of the most dynamic cities in the country, and an exceptional record of service to the world. Duquesne's solid institutional foundation, coupled with its impressive momentum, characterizes an outstanding leadership opportunity. Duquesne was founded by the Spiritans as a Catholic college for Pittsburgh's poor immigrants. In 1911, it became the state's first Catholic university. For the early part of its history, Duquesne was defined by its Pittsburgh campus and retained the character of a locally focused, primarily undergraduate institution. Today, Duquesne is recognized on the national stage as a comprehensive research institution of excellent quality offering a strong core of the sciences and liberal arts combined with a robust array of professional school offerings, including multiple medical health programs.

The SVPSL will join the University at an exciting point in its history. The University is committed to envisioning an inspiring path forward for student life at Duquesne—one that is guided by a rigorous focus on innovation, belonging, and excellence. The evolving nature of student expectations and demographics offers a tremendous opportunity for the next SVPSL to reimagine the value proposition that Duquesne offers its students. The SVPSL oversees a division that plays an integral role in the lives of students at Duquesne—providing services and leadership development opportunities to support a diverse community of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.

Reporting to President Kenneth G. Gormley and serving as a member of the Cabinet, the Senior Vice President oversees all departments within the Student Life division; assumes all budgetary responsibilities and strategic planning; and develops relevant polices, practices, and programming that ensure student well-being and development. The SVPSL oversees an operating budget of more than $2 million and a team comprising 121 full-time employees and 216 student staff.

This is a full-time position that will be performed on site in Pennsylvania. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and includes a generous benefits package.

The Search Committee will begin reviewing candidates immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applications should include a letter of candidacy that responds to the agenda for leadership and the desired attributes for the SVPSL and a complete résumé or vita. For best consideration, all applications, nominations, and confidential inquiries should be sent as soon as possible to:

Julie E. Tea, Managing Director
Mark Halligan, Senior Associate
Storbeck Search
DuquesneSVPSL@storbecksearch.com

Duquesne University was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community, the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. Duquesne University is Catholic in its mission and ecumenical in spirit. Motivated by its Catholic identity, Duquesne values equality of opportunity both as an educational institution and as an employer.