Vice President for Student Life
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Vice President for Student Life

Department Summary:
Ranked by the Wall Street Journal as one of the nation’s best colleges, Bridgewater State University is a dynamic, thriving campus community with a strong focus on student success. The university strives to live its motto, “not to be ministered unto, but to minister,” every day. A national leader in advancing racial equity, BSU is committed to ensuring every student has the support and opportunities to thrive and reach their highest potential. The university has recently created new undergraduate programs of childhood studies, cybersecurity, and photonics and optical engineering. At the graduate level, a fully online program in public relations and a new mathematics program are set to launch in fall 2024. BSU boasts one of the nation’s top undergraduate research programs and is ranked the 4th safest college in America and the 4th leading driver of social mobility in the state. Founded as a normal school 184 years ago, the university continues to be the largest producer of teachers and STEM teachers in the state.
Bridgewater State University is an inclusive community dedicated to the lifelong success of all students, focused on the continuous improvement of its people, and responsible for leading innovation that benefits Southeastern Massachusetts, the commonwealth, and the world. Bridgewater’s accessible environment of teaching and learning stimulates critical thinking, pursuit of new knowledge, and deeper understanding, the cultivation of meaningful and diverse interpersonal relationships, and fostering an appreciation for global engagement, all aimed at transforming lives and improving the human condition.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is reflected in our institutional values, which ensure that all students are supported and succeed.

Bridgewater State University is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. Members of underrepresented groups, and those committed to working in a diverse cultural environment, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Summary:
BSU strives to be a student affairs leader both regionally and nationally and seeks a strong leader in its next Vice President for Student Life who can further elevate the excellent work the university is already doing to engage students and provide for the holistic wellbeing of students through an equity lens.

Reporting directly to the president, the Vice President for Student Life serves as the senior student life officer for the university. The vice president provides innovative institutional leadership and direction for student life programs and services, positioning the university to be a recognized student affairs leader.

The Vice President for Student Life is responsible for the development and implementation of the division's strategic plan in alignment with the institutional strategic plan. The vice president works collaboratively across divisions to advance university priorities and strategic initiatives. Within the division of Student Life, the vice president advances diversity, inclusion, and equity-minded practices to support the university's diverse student body, ensuring that all students are holistically supported and persist to graduation.

The Vice President for Student Life oversees departments such as Residence Life and Housing, the Wellness Center, Off-Campus and Commuter Services, Student Conduct, Athletics and Recreation, Veterans Services, Student Engagement, and Student Outreach and Special Programs.

Position Type: Professional Non-Unit

Essential Duties:
University Responsibilities:· Uphold and promote the mission, vision, and values of the university and provide equity-minded institutional leadership to the division of Student Life.· Serve as a collaborative member of the President’s Cabinet and assist the president with strategic planning, policy/procedure development and implementation, data-driven decision making, and student communications.· Develop and implement the division’s strategic plan and assess its departments, services, and programs to ensure alignment with the university’s strategic priorities and goals; assist divisional staff with prioritizing initiatives to realize strategic goals.· Partner across divisions, i.e., Academic Affairs and Student Success Equity and Diversity, to support student collegiate and academic interactions – student/faculty programming; high-impact practices; student engagement; and student success and retention.· Serve as the lead fiscal steward for the Student Life division and implement a balanced divisional budget of $36.2 million supporting the strategic goals of both the division and the university.· Engage in student life and university events as a member of the President’s Cabinet i.e., orientation, commencement, social and racial justice activities, philanthropic endeavors, and other prominent campus traditions.· Participate in the university’s Strategic Enrollment Management Committee to support the recruitment and engagement of a diverse student body.· Support philanthropic initiatives pertaining to Student Life or others as needed and offered by Alumni and Development.· Represent the university at external meetings and events involving state university peers, the Department of Higher Education, and other relevant agencies as assigned by the President.· Represent the division of Student Life on university-wide committees, task forces, and work groups, as assigned by the President.
Divisional Responsibilities: · Provide leadership and direction to a diverse staff, promoting an ethos which supports equity, continuous improvement, and innovation which espouses the university’s overarching priority of student success.· Lead the development of an innovative and vibrant residential student life program consisting of a $26.7 million budget and 3,298 beds spanning 1 million gross square feet, which supports a diverse student population and focuses on the safety and wellness of students.· Cultivate a work environment that is collaborative and collegial and models professionalism for students; encourage staff participation in professional organizations in support of their professional development.· Foster an equity-minded and inclusive collegiate environment and culture that embraces and celebrates diversity of people, thought, practice, and perspective.· Promote the use of technology to advance the strategic goals and initiatives of the division; ensure staff proficiency in technology and software applications.· Represent the Student Life division in all crisis and emergency management related matters and assist in the coordination of crisis response.· Maintain relationships and work in conjunction with student leaders in the creation and delivery of impactful student activities, programs, and services for students.· Oversee the review and development of equity-minded student life policies and procedures ensuring alignment with institutional philosophy, compliance with relevant federal and state legal and regulatory requirements; communicate and educate all students on student life policies and procedures.· Manage student communications proactively utilizing a diversity of mediums to reach all students.· Provide leadership and direction to the division on all accreditation reviews and compliance audits.· Responsible for the recruitment, onboarding, development, and evaluation of Student Life staff.· Perform related responsibilities and projects as assigned by the President.

Required Qualifications:
· Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs or related field.· Demonstrated effective and supervisory leadership experience of at least 10 years in a broad student life capacity.· Record of achievement and advancement in the Student Life field.· Demonstrated knowledge of strategic planning, best practices and understanding of current national trends in college student success models.· Demonstrated knowledge of policies and best practices for student life functions – student engagement, residential life, student wellness, equity, student conduct, athletics, and Title IX.· Knowledge and experience in budgeting, fiscal management, and resource allocation.· Experience managing human resources, knowledge of student affairs staffing trends.· Ability to work collaboratively with a diversity of people, thoughts, perspective, and practices.· Demonstrated record of supporting the success of a diverse student body and experience with equity-minded practice in the student affairs field.· Commitment to equity, excellence, entrepreneurship, and innovation with an appreciation for the role of technology in achieving those standards.· Demonstrated organizational skills, strong attention to detail, strong verbal and written communication skills.· Ability to be collaborative, as well as the ability to develop effective teams.· Integrity, good judgment, and respect for others.· Participation in national student affairs professional associations.

Preferred Qualifications:
· Earned Ph.D., Ed.D., or other similar terminal degree.· Demonstrated belief in the importance of high quality, accessible public higher education.· Prior experience working in a unionized environment.· Evidence of commitment to BSU values.

Work Environment:
The Vice President for Student Life is a non-unit, FLSA exempt position; the terms and conditions of which are governed by the State Universities Non-Unit Professional Administrators Handbook. Salary is commensurate with experience and a competitive benefits package including health and life insurance and retirement savings options. This position is an on-campus position with eligibility for a hybrid remote work option in accordance with the university’s Remote Work Policy.
Bridgewater State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employee with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please complete and submit this electronic form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?BridgewaterStateUniv&layout_id=18

Special Conditions for Eligibility:
Please be aware that employment at Bridgewater State University is contingent upon completion of a successful background check.
This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship.

Salary Range: Salary is commensurate with experience and a competitive benefits package including health and life insurance and retirement savings options.
Posting Number: S01080P
Open Date: 02/09/2024
Close Date: 4/12/2024
Open Until Filled: No

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Please note the following information is required to complete your application for this position:

* A minimum of three (3) professional reference entries in space provided on the application form.
* Resume/CV
* Cover Letter
* Equity and Inclusion Statement- a personal statement on a candidate’s past efforts to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion. The equity and inclusion statement is an opportunity for candidates to discuss scholarship, professional skills, and demonstrable experience that would enhance the university’s efforts to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Equity and inclusion statements will be considered as part of a transparent and comprehensive review of candidates’ application materials.

To apply, visit https://jobs.bridgew.edu/postings/26849

Bridgewater State University (BSU) is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer which actively seeks to increase the diversity of its workforce. We are dedicated to providing educational, working and living environments that value the diverse backgrounds of all people.





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