Vice President for Student Affairs

Announcing a National Search for the

Vice President for Student Affairs

at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee

Austin Peay State University, a comprehensive public liberal arts institution in north central Tennessee, invites applications and nominations for the Vice President for Student Affairs. The Vice President for Student Affairs serves as the chief student affairs officer and reports directly to the President.

Complete information is available in the Search Profile at

http://www.myersmcrae.com/skins/userfiles/files/APSU-VPSA-18.pdf

The Opportunity

Founded in 1927, Austin Peay State University enrolls more than 10,400 students, including nearly 900 graduate students. It aspires to become nationally recognized as an excellent comprehensive liberal arts university that contributes significantly to the intellectual, economic, social, and cultural life of the region.

The university offers a learning environment most often found in private institutions of higher learning. Small classes, close student/faculty interaction, and personal attention by the support staff nurture students’ academic and personal growth. 

Undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences and in pre-professional and professional programs are the nucleus of the university. Graduate programs serve the needs of the region and provide advanced experiences for students preparing for doctoral studies.

Recognizing the important role that student life plays in supporting the co-curricular mission of Austin Peay, the Division of Student Affairs provides programming and services that connect academic and out-of-class experiences. The leadership position of Vice President for Student Affairs provides an opportunity to impact not only students at Austin Peay, but also residents, businesses, and communities of the region served by the university.

The Vice President for Student Affairs provides leadership and accountability for the administration, development, assessment, and improvement of student services and co-curricular/extracurricular activities. This administrator is responsible for the planning, supervision, evaluation, and financial management for the Division of Student Affairs, ensuring that the necessary services and programs are provided to students and the work and actions of the Division of Student Affairs meet and support the University’s mission and strategic plan.

The Division of Student Affairs has 19 functional areas:  

  • Student Affairs Programs and Assessments
  • Housing, Residence Life, and Dining Services
  • Boyd Health Services
  • Student Counseling Services
  • Disability Services
  • Career Center
  • Wilbur N. Daniel African American Cultural Center
  • Hispanic Cultural Center
  • Military Student Center
  • Adult, Non-traditional, and Transfer Student Center
  • University Recreation
  • Little Govs Child Learning Center
  • Dean of Students
  • Fraternity and Sorority Affairs
  • Student Government Association
  • Student Life & Engagement
  • Student Conduct and Case Management
  • Student Publications
  • Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Work collaboratively with other vice presidents to advise the President on matters of institutional concern.
  • Work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to provide a comprehensive learning environment that fosters the intellectual, psychological, social, leadership, and recreational development for a diverse student population.
  • Formulate division strategic goals and objectives; ensure compliance with the Institutional Effectiveness Process; develop programs, guidelines, and procedures related to students.
  • Develop annual budget requests; allocate and manage student activity fee revenue; monitor and manage student affairs budgetary accounts.
  • Serve as an advocate for students and student concerns, and work cooperatively with university legal counsel regarding student legal issues and student judicial cases as needed.
  • Serve as a standing member of the President’s Cabinet, President’s Council, Senior Leadership Team, and other appropriate University committees.
  • Represent the University with other external groups on matters related to student affairs.
  • Be responsible for the administration of policies related to students.
  • Recommend revisions to campus student policies and student fee increases.

Qualifications

Candidates must have an earned doctoral degree. Significant managerial experience in a student affairs setting with demonstrated competence in administration, student development, and budget management also is required.

Other qualifications include:

  • Demonstrated competence in establishing positive working relationships and effective communications with students, faculty, staff, and administrative colleagues
  • Ability to develop both short-term and long-term strategic action plans for the areas under direct supervision to successfully complete strategic University goals and objectives
  • Ability to promote an appreciation for cultural diversity in a higher education setting
  • Excellent problem-solving and management skills
  • Ability to develop and interpret policies
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality
  • Ability to plan and coordinate programs, services, and activities
  • Ability to effectively supervise personnel and complete all associated personnel actions in a timely and accurate manner
  • Ability to work with other senior University officers to accomplish institutional goals
  • Ability to interact in an effective and appropriate manner with diverse populations, the University community and the public
  • Ability to accurately prepare records and reports
  • Ability to understand, plan and execute budgets and funding associated with student affairs functions

Before the successful candidate is offered the position, an official transcript and a background check will be required.

Austin Peay State University

Named after former Tennessee Governor Austin Peay, a Clarksville native, APSU is a four-year public, master’s-level university. It offers 62 majors and 108 different concentrations to more than 10,400 undergraduate and graduate students.

The University’s Clarksville campus has been used for educational purposes for more than 180 years. Located in downtown Clarksville, the campus has a strong connection with the community.

APSU serves its students through six colleges and schools: College of Arts and Letters; College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, which includes the School of Nursing; College of Business; the Martha Dickerson Eriksson College of Education; College of Graduate Studies; and College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Classes are taught on campus and online.

Students have the opportunity to participate in the Honors Program and the Study Abroad and Exchange Programs.

In addition to the Clarksville campus, APSU has a $4.7 million Education Center at Fort Campbell that offers day and evening classes in 15 programs of study at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s levels. It also partners with Volunteer State Community College to bring educational opportunities to students at the Highland Crest Campus in Springfield.

APSU has nearly 370 full-time faculty members, 88 percent of whom hold the doctorate or other appropriate terminal degree in their respective fields.

The University has two Centers of Excellence. The Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts captures the uniqueness of the University’s tradition in the liberal arts, combining the institution’s well-established disciplines of music, creative writing, art, and theatre. The Center of Excellence for Field Biology is a major research component of the University in a 300-square-mile forested preserve between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.

APSU’s 46,000-square-foot Art and Design Building opened Fall of 2017. Within the last few years, the University has completed several new facilities, including the state-of-the-art Maynard Mathematics and Computer Science Building, the Governors Terrace residence halls, and the new Fortera Stadium.

Austin Peay athletes compete in the highly-competitive Ohio Valley Conference, NCAA Division I, in 16 sports. The Athletics Department is a traditional powerhouse in men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, volleyball, and men’s golf.

For more information on the University, visit www.apsu.edu.

Clarksville, Tennessee

Tennessee’s fifth largest and youngest city, Clarksville is located on the Tennessee/Kentucky state line, approximately 45 minutes northwest of Nashville. The Cumberland and Red rivers merge in the heart of the town, very near where the city was established in 1784.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County area offers a significant variety of entertainment and recreational activity through its many parks, walking trails and Blueways. The Cumberland River provides access to The Great Loop and Lake Barkley, Kentucky Lake, and the Tennessee River.

Clarksville’s close proximity to Nashville provides access to additional entertainment options, including pro football, hockey, and a variety of world-class music and entertainment venues. It also is home to the Fort Campbell Army Post, headquarters of the 101st Airborne Division.

Application and Nomination Process

Confidential inquiries are welcomed, and nominations are invited.

To apply, submit: a) Letter of interest; b) Curriculum Vitae/Resume, and c) At least five references with full contact and e-mail information (References will not be contacted without applicant’s consent.)

Submit applications to APSU@myersmcrae.com by October 10, 2018, for best consideration. Review of materials begins immediately. Applications are accepted until the position is filled.

Submit nominations to APSU-Nominate@myersmcrae.com with complete contact and e-mail information for the individual being nominated.

Kenny Daugherty, President of Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting, is assisting Austin Peay State University with this search.

Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting

515 Mulberry Street, Suite 200, Macon, Georgia 31201

(478) 330-6222 | www.myersmcrae.com

Austin Peay State University is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by APSU. Inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies should be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action at nondiscrmination@apsu.edu.