VICE PRESIDENT STUDENT LIFE AND DEAN OF STUDENTS UNIVERSITY MISSION The mission of Kansas State University is to foster excellent teaching, research and service that develop the highly skilled and educated citizenry necessary to advancing the well-being of Kansas, the nation and the international community. THE OPPORTUNITY The Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students organizations, student government, student (“VPSL & DOS”) is responsible for fostering a commitment conduct, wellness and well-being, accommodation to student success by actively developing, implementing, of disabilities, access programs, career and skill and maintaining programs and services that enrich counseling, and placement services. student learning, build and maintain a strong sense • Provide leadership for the development and of community, and support the social and personal implementation of high-quality and student- development of students at K-State. K-State is proud of the centered approaches to support student success family-oriented environment that is central to the campus in non-academic dimensions of student university culture and it is critical that the new Vice President for experiences. Examples include residential housing Student Life and Dean of Students continues to foster this and residential life, diversity and inclusion activities, environment and build upon it as a foundation. student activities and events, student clubs and organizations, student government, student As a member of the President’s Cabinet and direct report conduct, wellness and well-being, accommodation to the President, the VPSL & DOS provides institutional of disabilities, access programs, career and skill leadership for developing, delivering, evaluating and counseling, and placement services. refining a cohesive and coordinated vision and strategies • Organize and unite the distinctive functions under for student life on campus to support student access, the VPSL & DOS’s purview to leverage resources, learning, success and an optimal student experience. services, and programming to best meet the needs The VPSL & DOS will serve as an advocate for a student- of the K-State student body. responsive institution that focuses and fosters a culture of excellence and quality service orientation within all areas • Oversee an assessment plan for the functional areas of responsibilities. with learning outcomes and program outcomes – taking into consideration the K-State mission and The VPSL & DOS has leadership and oversight over the that of the division. Division of Student Life, which includes the following • Train, develop, and manage departmental leaders; departments and programs: the Office of Student Life ( provide them with shared and individual goals including the Center for Student Involvement, Student for which they are accountable. Develop effective Access Center, Non-Traditional and Veterans Services, controls to guide effort toward expected outcomes. Center for Advocacy, Response, and Education and the LGBT Resource Center), the Office of Diversity and • Promote positive student relations by maintaining Multicultural Student Affairs, Housing and Dining Services, open and effective lines of communication with K-State Student Union, Recreational Services, Lafene student groups and student leaders and serving as Health Center, Counseling Services, Career Center, Parents a strong advocate for the non-academic, extra- and & Family Relations, and Military and Veterans Affairs. The co-curricular needs of students. VSPL & DOS also serves as a leader in collaborative efforts • Oversee a complex multi-million dollar budget. with other areas of the University and works closely • Provide on-site emergency preparation / response with the Provost and other senior university leadership, coverage as necessary. particularly in the areas of Enrollment and Student Success. • Respond to student crises, issues and concerns; mobilize campus resources to respond to Core duties and responsibilties: emergencies, crisis situations and disruptions that involve students; and maintain a visible The Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students presence on campus and during student- will be responsible for the following duties: focused / -sponsored activities. • Provide executive-level leadership, strategic planning, oversight, and coordination of all • Apply and enforce the Student Code of Conduct. units in the Division of Student Life in the areas • Partner with the KSU Foundation to further of programming, policy development, human philanthropic support of the Division’s programs and resources, facilities, and fiscal resource management. initiatives. • Provide leadership for the development and The successful candidate will possess: implementation of high-quality and student- centered approaches to support student success STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP in non-academic dimensions of student university • Proven success as a strategic leader with a record experiences. Examples include residential housing of success in creating and implementing a vision and residential life, diversity and inclusion activities, for a student affairs division at a comprehensive student activities and events, student clubs and university with a diverse student population. • Demonstrated success as a collaborator and • Must possess exemplary leadership skills relationship-builder, demonstrating strong with demonstrated ability to communicate well, build interpersonal skills and the ability to forge effective consensus and collaborate, solve problems, manage collaborative partnerships, coalitions, and complex systems, and make decisions in a team relationships with students, academic affairs, finance environment. and administration, enrollment and retention services and others across a diverse university community to • Must possess leadership skills to inspire, motivate, achieve results. empower, and stimulate students and staff to achieve their full potential. Education requirement: • Proven ability to initiate, lead, and facilitate change, • Master’s Degree required, PhD or terminal be adaptable with changing conditions, and professional degree preferred. comfortable with the ambiguity that accompanies a large public university. Preferred Competencies/Qualifications: STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP STUDENT SERVICES • Demonstrated knowledge of student development • Record of effective and innovative leadership in policy theory and a broad range of trends and best practices development, strategic planning, diversity nationally in student development programs and programming, and first-generation student services. engagement programming. • Record of effective and innovative leadership in policy MANAGING COMPLEX DECISIONS development, strategic planning, diversity • Demonstrated organizational, problem solving, programming, and first-generation student management, and decision-making skills with proven engagement programming. ability to develop a team approach to planning and STUDENT SERVICES effective coordination of programs and personnel. • Demonstrated experience providing response and • Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, assistance to students in crisis situations. tact, and discretion, and maintain integrity with sensitive and confidential information. MANAGING COMPLEX DECISIONS • Demonstrated ability to manage a large and complex • Demonstrated experience with critically assessing the organization, staff, and budget. efficiency and efficacy of services to students, including those delivered through technology. VALUES DIFFERENCES BUILDING COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS • Demonstrated commitment to an inclusive philosophy to support all university students, faculty, • Demonstrated experience working with multiple and staff and an appreciation for the relation between functional units or departmental teams to advance academic and co-curricular programs. complex organizational goals. • Proven ability to create a climate responsive to student BUILDING COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS needs and concerns. • Excellent communicator and consensus builder, with demonstrated ability to effectively listen to all points • Demonstrated success in alumni relations, external of view, build consensus on initiatives and issues, and funding development, and private philanthropy. inform others of policies and plans. The university embraces diversity, encourages engagement and is committed to the discovery of knowledge, the education of undergraduate and graduate students, and improvement in the quality of life and standard of living of those we serve. DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION THE UNIVERSITY Kansas State University has a long, storied history of em- Kansas State University educates nearly 22,000 of tomorow’s bracing diversity and inclusion as a core component of our potential leaders and provides some of the best global food educational mission. As the nation’s first operational land- systems and biosecurity research in the world. The university grant, K-State has always admitted students without regard is progressing toward its goal of becoming a Top 50 public to race, gender or creed. Our commitment to meeting the research university by 2025. needs and interests of a diverse student body and prepar- ing all constituents for meaningful engagement in an ever The university has nine academic colleges and offers more changing, diverse world is unwavering. We believe that di- than 250 majors and options. The Graduate School offers versity adds value to the educational fabric of our institution 73 master’s degrees, 44 doctoral