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Saint Mary's University · 2 months ago

Vice President for Academic Affairs

Winona, MN

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$165K/yr - $200K/yr

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is seeking a Vice President for Academic Affairs who will serve as the chief academic officer responsible for academic vision, strategy, and execution across all programs. The VPAA will lead initiatives that advance the university's mission, ensuring academic excellence and student success while fostering a culture of dialogue and collaboration across the institution.

Education

Responsibilities

Lead a coherent academic vision aligned to the University’s mission, strategic plan, and Catholic/Lasallian identity, integrating the Catholic Intellectual Tradition through application of Ex Corde Ecclesiae

Champion character and virtue ethics education across the curriculum and co‑curriculum in collaboration with Mission leadership

Drive continuous improvement in teaching, learning, assessment, and program quality, ensuring that outcomes are measurable and acted upon

Oversee faculty recruitment, hiring for mission, orientation, development, and evaluation; recommend tenure and promotion decisions to the President

Ensure fidelity to faculty handbooks and academic procedures; update and communicate policies in consultation with appropriate shared-governance bodies

Uphold academic freedom consistent with Ex Corde Ecclesiae and institutional mission

Leads with a collegial and unifying approach that brings together all academic units and faculty, fostering alignment with institutional mission and strategic priorities. Works collaboratively with Cabinet peers to ensure integrated planning and execution across academic, operational, and mission areas of the university

Lead data‑informed academic portfolio review (launch, scale, revise, sunset), balancing mission impact, market demand, outcomes, and net revenue

Possesses a strong understanding of academic profit and loss (P&L) management, including the ability to analyze fully burdened P&L statements and make data-informed decisions that support both mission and margin. Works in close partnership with Operations and Finance to ensure that each academic unit contributes positively to the university’s overall financial health while maintaining academic integrity and quality

Partner with Enrollment Management and Marketing in new program development, capacity planning, scheduling, and course sequencing; ensure shared accountability for enrollment, persistence, and completion

Foster applied research, grants, and external partnerships that expand opportunities for students and faculty

Integrate Academic Affairs with Student Affairs, Mission & Ministry, and Character/Human Flourishing initiatives to promote holistic student formation

Ensure strong academic support (advising, tutoring, accessibility, libraries, instructional technology) and close equity gaps for first‑generation and low‑income students

Serve as chief steward of institutional and programmatic accreditation (e.g., HLC and professional bodies); lead self‑study, site visits, and post‑visit action plans

Ensure that academic policies, catalogs, and records (as maintained by the registrar) are accurate and compliant; promote effective shared governance structures and consultation

Develop and manage academic budgets in collaboration with the COO and AVP for Finance; align resources with strategy and outcomes; ensure transparent, data-informed decision-making

Recommend academic space allocation and utilization, and plan staffing and workload models in concert with deans and Cabinet colleagues

Cultivate donors and external partners to support academic priorities

Represent Academic Affairs with trustees, accreditors, employers, alumni, and community leaders

Qualification

Earned doctorateProgressive academic leadershipFaculty affairs managementAccreditation experienceBudget managementPortfolio managementOnline program growthPhilanthropy cultivationEntrepreneurial mindsetInclusive team buildingData-informed decision makingCollaboration skillsStrategic thinking

Required

Earned doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) and a record of scholarly/creative achievement commensurate with appointment at full professor

Progressive academic leadership with demonstrated success in faculty affairs, accreditation, budgeting, and portfolio management

Demonstrated commitment to Catholic higher education, the Lasallian charism, and integration of faith and reason; capacity to advance character and virtue ethics education along with the university's approach to inclusion and human dignity

Proven ability to lead in a multi‑campus, hybrid/online environment; effective collaborator with Enrollment and Finance

Must be willing and able to travel approximately 25% of the time among the university's three campuses and to represent Saint Mary's at Catholic higher education conferences, partnership meetings, and advancement events

Preferred

Experience cultivating philanthropy and external partnerships

Success in leading online program growth and instructional technology adoption

Record of improving student outcomes (retention, completion, licensure, placement) and closing equity gaps

Experience with unionized or multi‑site academic environments; change leadership and turnaround

Benefits

Health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance

Flexible spending

Retirement pension plan

Undergraduate and graduate tuition remission plans

Company

Saint Mary's University

Saint Mary's University is home to an engaged community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni from more than 90 countries around the world that share a passion for learning and a commitment to contributing to the global community.

Founded in 1802