Western Oregon University · 12 hours ago
VP for Student Affairs
Monmouth, OR
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$150K/yr - $188K/yr
8+ years expWestern Oregon University is seeking its next Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) to lead transformative change in shaping the student experience. The VPSA will provide strategic leadership for programs that support student well-being, engagement, retention, and success, while fostering a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the university community.
Higher Education
No H1B
Responsibilities
Provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and fiscal accountability for the Division of Student Affairs
Supervise six Student Affairs directors, the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, and the Executive Assistant to the VPSA
Establish goals, expectations, and performance standards for departments and services within the division
Serve as the senior personnel officer for Student Affairs, overseeing hiring, evaluation, and personnel actions
Engage with the President’s Cabinet and Senior Leadership Council in institutional decision-making
Provide regular counsel to the President on student issues, campus climate, and student success strategies
Ensure effective and responsive student support services aligned with the university’s mission
Strengthen collaboration across academic and administrative units and maintain strong relationships with students and families
Oversee the administration of the campus student conduct system and serve as a liaison to student governance leaders
Lead the division’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
Qualification
Required
A master's degree preferably in College Student Services Administration, Higher Education Administration/Leadership, Counseling, or other appropriate discipline
A minimum of eight (8) years of demonstrable career progression with increasing management/leadership responsibilities within Student Affairs or related field
A thorough working knowledge of financial management practices
Knowledge of student development theory
Demonstrated organizational skills that foster collaboration within student affairs and campus
Experience serving as a senior student affairs leader at a comprehensive or regional public university
Experience advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives
Or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and knowledge that provides a comprehensive understanding of and ability to carry out the role
Demonstrated ability to provide executive leadership for a comprehensive student affairs division, including student support services, engagement, well-being, conduct, and co-curricular learning, within a public higher education environment
Student-centered and inclusive leadership approach, with experience advancing student success, retention, and belonging for diverse student populations
Strong working knowledge and ability to guide student affairs programs using assessment, outcomes, and continuous improvement practices
Proven ability to lead and support professional staff through organizational change, set clear expectations, and foster accountability, collaboration, and staff development
High level of interpersonal effectiveness and sound judgment in managing sensitive student matters, including crisis response, care team coordination, behavioral intervention, and student conduct processes
Demonstrated skill in building and maintaining effective relationships with students, student leaders, families, faculty, staff, senior administrators, and community partners
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly interpret and communicate policies, advocate for student needs, and represent student perspectives in institutional decision-making
Effective organizational and time management skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities, respond to emerging student needs, and meet established timelines
Working knowledge of technology and data systems commonly used in student affairs to support communication, assessment, reporting, and student support efforts
Preferred
Ph.D. in College Student Services Administration, Higher Education Administration/Leadership, Counseling, or other appropriate discipline
Understanding of key issues in higher education, including diversity, shared governance, collective bargaining, and accreditation
Demonstrated leadership in student conduct, judicial affairs, or behavioral intervention systems, including care team or threat assessment models
Experience partnering with student government organizations and advising student leaders
Experience managing student fee-funded programs and working with incidental or student fee committees
Experience collaborating with academic leadership to align co-curricular and curricular student success efforts
Ability to articulate and advance a clear, student-centered vision for Student Affairs and to foster an inclusive, high-trust environment that supports student success, engagement, and well-being
Ability to lead, support, and develop teams through coaching, mentoring, and role modeling, while setting clear expectations and promoting accountability and professional growth
Ability to use technology and data thoughtfully to support student services, assess outcomes, identify trends or concerns, and inform continuous improvement in student affairs programs and operations
Ability to lead effectively in a resource-constrained environment, making sound decisions that balance student needs, fiscal responsibility, and institutional priorities
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, families, campus partners, community organizations, and state or local agencies relevant to student support and success
Ability to collaborate across divisions to address complex student and institutional issues, while also exercising sound judgment and decisiveness when timely action is required
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse constituencies, adapting messaging to the audience and context, and representing student interests with professionalism and care
Demonstrated cultural competence and sensitivity to the diverse identities, lived experiences, and socioeconomic backgrounds of students, staff, and community members
Ability to advance institutional goals related to access, equity, retention, persistence, and student success through effective leadership of student affairs programs and services
Company
Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University is a mid-sized university that aims to transform the lives of the people who attend it.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Bill Kernan
CIO
Jessica Murfin
Partnerships Specialist
Recent News
Government Technology US
2025-08-05
2025-05-28
oregonlive.com
2024-12-17
Company data provided by crunchbase