Job Information
North Central College, IL Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students in Naperville, Illinois
Employment Status: Administrative
Description of Key Responsibility:
Ensure that the student life division’s initiatives align with the institution’s values, mission, and vision, consistent with the College’s strategic plan.
Maintain a high-quality student-first approach across all Student Life operations and programs.
Serve as the primary advocate for student needs and concerns within the campus leadership, ensuring that student voices are heard, and their needs are addressed effectively.
Provide strong leadership that cultivates a vibrant and inclusive campus environment for students.
Provide leadership, supervision, support and guidance to the staff and directors of all areas that report to the position.
Incubate and test emerging student development best practices with particular emphasis on co-curricular and extra-curricular experiences and enhanced student development.
Utilize data and analytics to help lead and guide student life efforts. Promote and lead a culture of program assessment
Ensure high quality service in support of all student populations (traditional undergraduate, residential and commuter students, post-traditional undergraduate and graduate students).
Provide budgetary oversight for all offices in Student Life, allocate resources appropriately, and work closely with the Vice President for Finance to coordinate student financial issues and budgetary matters.
Direct Student Life activities related to student due process/judicial proceedings, including, but not limited to, conducting investigations and hearings on student disciplinary matters and making appropriate decisions.
Oversee student related campus policies and the production of the student handbook.
Support and build relationships with other campus leaders and find solutions to concerns across administrative lines.
Partner with Academic Affairs to foster meaningful curricular/co-curricular partnerships and a student success-focused mindset across campus and to integrate student life initiatives with academic programs and experiences, for the purpose of enhancing the overall student experience.
Maintain a close and productive relationship with the Office of Enrollment Management.
Serve as the Student Governing Association ( SGA ) advisor. Act as the president’s liaison to SGA and encourage faculty and staff to participate in SGA and other student-sponsored activities
Other institutional leadership duties as assigned by the President.
Education/Training:
Required: A master’s or other advanced degree from an accredited college or university in higher education administration, student life, counseling, or a related field is required.
Preferred:Earned doctorate, preferably in higher education leadership or administration.
Experience:
Required:
A proven record of at least 10 years of administrative experience in higher education with extensive, demonstrated examples of exemplary leadership of student life and services and increased responsibility, and successful execution of student engagement strategies.
Experience working with commuter and residential student populations.
Experience working at a comprehensive college or university of similar size to North Central College.
Preferred:
Active involvement in national/international student life professional organizations (e.g., NASPA and ACPA ).
Prior experience at the Vice President/Dean of Students level.
Licenses or Certifications:
A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record is required.
Position Summary:
The Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students i( VPSL /DoS) is the chief student life officer and serves as the principal architect of the College’s student life initiatives by providing strategic direction for and oversight of the functional areas within the division.
The VPSL /DoS reports to the College President, and works with internal and external constituencies in the planning, implementation and administration of a comprehensive program for student life and works with the College leadership team on a comprehensive set of programs and student services from matriculation through graduation, that include but are not limited to programs for new students, commuter students, residential life programing and student health and well-being.
The VPSL /DoS oversees a diverse and comprehensive portfolio of programs, initiatives, and offices that support student success in its many dimensions. These include a set of core units that importantly shape the out of class experience on campus, such as student housing and residential life; student engagement; health and wellness; student conduct; dining services; and Title IX. The portfolio offers the opportunity to develop innovative and sustained collaborations with programs and units across campus that support the academic experience, including peer mentor programs; success coaches; career and professional development services; international student services; and high achieving student initiatives.
