Job Details

Allegheny College is seeking a bold, optimistic visionary and an experienced, collaborative practitioner to be its next Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students (VP and Dean). Impactful opportunities such as this are rare. Allegheny College needs a truly unique individual; one who will provide outstanding leadership and stability while encouraging innovation and change. Someone who will embrace the traditions of Allegheny College while partnering on the development and implementation of new strategies and programs. Someone with the knowledge and experience to provide strong and informed leadership and supervision and the humble confidence needed to embrace new ways of doing business. Allegheny is actively crafting their future and needs an enthusiastic and optimistic leader who can balance visionary qualities with tactical abilities and strategic planning skills with crisis management experience. The VP and Dean reports to the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the College and leads the Division of Student Life consisting of approximately 40 employees and managing operating budgets of approximately $1.2 million.

Allegheny has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 1800 students representing a broad and growing range of diversity. More than half of students enrolling at Allegheny are from outside of Pennsylvania, and recent first-year classes have included over 25% domestic students of color and over 35% of incoming students are Pell eligible. Students at Allegheny can choose from more than 30 majors, and each student chooses a minor from a division outside of his/her major division. The curriculum encourages educational depth and intellectual breadth (what Allegheny terms "Unusual Combinations" of interests and talents).

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to be a pivotal leader as the College prepares itself to thrive in its third century. Success in this position will in part be measured by focus/progress in the following high impact areas: Providing leadership, guidance, and support to successfully combine the operations of the current health center and counseling and personal development centers into a single comprehensive student support unit (Wellness Center); Collaborating with the Maytum Learning Commons, the Provost and Dean of the College Office, and Athletics and Recreation on Allegheny Bound Summer Orientation, a new summer orientation program designed to help build enthusiasm among new students, offer them a range of perspectives on life at Allegheny, and deepen their connection with the College; and partnering with a team of nearly 40 colleagues from across the College--academic affairs, faculty, student life, athletics, enrollment, and more--to design, implement, assess, and refine an effective retention improvement plan grounded in the Gardner Retention Performance Management (RPM) process.

The successful candidate will have an advanced degree, experience managing a complex portfolio, and significant leadership experience in student affairs. Candidates will also bring with them a record of dynamic and visionary accomplishments with a deep understanding of the mission and functions of student affairs in a liberal arts environment and the role a vibrant residential life plays in that environment. Candidates should be committed to social justice and civic engagement, and have experience working with diverse constituents and fostering an environment of inclusivity. Knowledge of student development theory, as well as current issues and trends in student affairs is required. The successful candidate will have extensive supervisory experience and excellent interpersonal and written/oral communication skills. Candidates should have experience in overseeing the resolution of complex student issues and understand the balance between managing institutional risk and student development.

Nominations and applications, including a detailed letter of interest, qualifications, and a current curriculum vitae, should be submitted here.

Allegheny College is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong institutional commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity.

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