CAMPUS & STUDENT LIFE - VP Student & Campus Life

Job Classification

Executive Admin FT (75-100%)

Position summary

Qualifications summary

Master’s degree in higher education administration, student affairs, counseling, leadership, or a related field.

Significant leadership experience in student affairs, student development, campus administration, or related areas within Seventh-day Adventist education.

Demonstrated ability to lead complex student-related operations, including staff leadership, program development, and cross-campus collaboration.

Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the mission and educational philosophy of Seventh-day Adventist higher education.

Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Duties and responsibilities

The Vice President for Student and Campus Life (VPSCL) provides visionary, strategic, and spiritual leadership for a comprehensive student experience grounded in faith in Jesus Christ and the beliefs and values of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The VPSCL cultivates a vibrant and transformative campus community that promotes whole-person development–mind, body, and spirit. Through nurturing whole-person development, maximizing student success and wellbeing, cultivating a culture of belonging and care, inspiring student engagement and leadership, as well as advancing innovation and operational effectiveness, the VPSCL fosters the integration of faith and learning across campus life in alignment with the University’s mission and core values.

As the principal architect of the Student and Campus Life vision, the VPSCL provides strategic direction and administrative oversight for a broad portfolio of student programs and services and leads a diverse team of professionals dedicated to advancing the University mission.

The VPSCL reports to the President, serves on the President’s Cabinet, and collaborates closely with institutional leaders to foster the transformation of student lives shaped by the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, preparing students for meaningful engagement and service.

Major Areas of Responsibility

1. Strategic Leadership & Institutional Collaboration

Articulates and advances a compelling vision for student life and the student experience.

Develops and implements a divisional master plan aligned with the University’s mission, strategic priorities, and accreditation expectations.

Establishes measurable outcomes for student life and whole-person development and leads assessment strategies that support data-informed decision-making.

Advises the President on student mental, physical, spiritual, and social well-being and serves as the primary liaison between Student Life and Academic Affairs, Enrollment, Finance, and Advancement to support institutional goals.

Serves as the chief Student Life liaison with other campus entities especially those with high student engagement, such as Food Services (currently provided by Bon Appétit Management Company) and the Department of Campus Safety.

Serves on key institutional committees including the President’s Cabinet and strategic, financial, and operational leadership councils.

Serves as an invitee to the Board of Trustees and as the Secretary of the Student Experience & Faith Development Subcommittee of the Board of Trustees.

Performs this role and other duties as assigned by the President, understanding that portfolios and assigned tasks are subject to change as needed to support the strategic directions of the University.

2. Administrative Leadership & Resource Stewardship and Development

Supervises student life directors and divisional leaders, ensuring accountability for programs, services, and adherence to University values and expectations.

Cultivates a visible and relational presence across the campus community through regular engagement with students and participation in key student life events, including spiritual, social, and athletic programs.

Oversees development and management of divisional operating budgets and related restricted funds in alignment with institutional priorities and targets, monitoring variances and implementing corrective actions.

Oversees the distribution of general fees for graduate and undergraduate students.

Ensures responsible stewardship of financial, human, and facility resources.

Identifies opportunities for efficiency, sustainability, and innovation.

Maintains broad and current knowledge of student life administration in faith-based higher education by engaging with professional associations, conferences, publications, and networks.

Fosters a culture of growth and professional development for the Division of Student Life, providing ongoing opportunities for professional development, both on campus as well as external professional conferences to foster optimum team effectiveness.

3. Faith Engagement & Co-Curricular Education

Provides spiritual leadership and partners with University chaplains to support faith development, discipleship, service, and spiritual care for students, faculty, and staff. while fostering the integration of faith and learning.

Supports the University chaplains in the programming of campus-wide convocations, undergraduate chapels, and selected graduate faith & learning events.

Oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive formal Co-curricular Education program, structure, and attendance processes, focused on the integration of faith and learning and student wellbeing.

4. Residential Life & Hospitality Services

Provides executive oversight of residence life programs, housing operations, and residential facilities serving undergraduate and graduate students, as well as off-campus housing policies as well as community student engagement.

Promotes residential environments that foster belonging and whole-person development and supports training and development for student leaders.

Provides executive oversight campus guest room and convention services and operations.

5. Student Support, Success & Wellbeing

Oversees counseling, psychological and testing services that promote the mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of students.

Ensures services are professional, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and consistent with Seventh-day Adventist values.

Oversees processes related to a centralized reporting system and Student Care and Intervention Team that coordinates the assessment and identification of follow-up action steps to intervene and facilitate wellbeing when students are in crisis.

Oversees campus response and support services following the death of a student.

Oversees the provision of proactive mental health and wellness initiatives.

Promotes initiatives addressing students’ basic needs, including food insecurity.

In collaboration with academic leadership, oversees a comprehensive student success program including early alert systems, academic intervention strategies, and probation support designed to improve retention and persistence.

Oversees disability services to ensure students have access to educational programs and environments that are compliant with ADA regulations and appropriate accommodations are provided.

6. Student Development, Orientation, Engagement, Leadership & Activities

Oversees the development and implementation of undergraduate orientation programs that help students’ transition to the University, reflect its faith-based mission, and introduce students and families to academic and campus expectations, as well as networks of academic, personal, and spiritual support that foster belonging, engagement, and success.

Oversees the processes to orient parents and supporters to the University and on how to support their student’s independence and development while maintaining appropriate involvement, fostering within FERPA and established guidelines.

Oversees career services that assists students in discovering their interests and strengths through mission-aligned vocational discernment that helps them translate their education into meaningful employment, calling, and service.

Promotes career preparation and career readiness competencies such as career fairs, workshops, job search strategies as well as resume and interview development.

Provides executive oversight to the creation of a vibrant campus engagement with student activities and events, recreation and student connections spaces that are mission-aligned and consistent with Seventh-day Adventist values.

Provides executive oversight that supports student leadership development and ensures student governance structures, student organizations, student publications and student-led events function responsibly and reflect University values.

7. Wellness, Athletics, & Recreation Programs & Facilities

Oversees the operations of the Andreasen Center for Wellness and promotes whole-person health and wellness prevention and educational initiatives consistent with Seventh-day Adventist health principles.

Advises University administrators and designated health care providers to promote high standards of care for student health services (in person and telehealth).

Oversees the development and implementation of a comprehensive recreation, intramural, and intercollegiate athletic program that promotes sportsmanship and character consistent with Seventh-day Adventist values, University policy, and recognized collegiate best practices.

Oversees campus athletic tournaments for Seventh-day Adventist academies.

Oversees the development and care of indoor and outdoor recreation facilities.

8. Campus Culture, Community Values & Student Conduct

Promotes a campus culture of respect and safety grounded in the Biblical framework and belief that every human being is created in the image of God, redeemed through Christ and called to reflect His character.

Promotes campus-wide training and prevention initiatives regarding University policy and federal laws prohibiting unlawful discrimination.

As a faith-based institution, the University makes decisions consistent with the beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church while maintaining a harassment-free educational environment.

In consultation with the Title IX Coordinator and Human Resources supports the processes, prohibiting any form of sex or gender-based harassment/discrimination.

Oversees the development of mission-aligned community values and Code of Student Conduct and the implementation of restorative, fair, and equitable student conduct processes that balance accountability, grace, and student growth.

Conducts annual reviews of student conduct processes and student rights and responsibilities outlined in the Student Handbook and related notifications.

Gather data and counsels University admissions officials, as needed, relative to applicant’s character and previous violations of institutional codes of conduct and state or federal laws.

Supervisory responsibilities

Supervises student life directors and divisional leaders, ensuring accountability for programs, services, and adherence to University values and expectations.

Qualifications

Required

Master’s degree in higher education administration, student affairs, counseling, leadership, or a related field.

Significant leadership experience in student affairs, student development, or related areas within Seventh-day Adventist education.

Demonstrated ability to lead complex student-related operations, including staff leadership, program development, and cross-campus collaboration.

Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the mission and educational philosophy of Seventh-day Adventist higher education.

Preferred

Earned doctorate in higher education, leadership, or a related field.

Administrative leadership experience within Seventh-day Adventist institutions of higher education.

Minimum Required Leadership Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Personal Characteristics

Spiritual Leadership and Faith Commitment

Demonstrates a deep personal commitment to the mission, beliefs, and values of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with a strong understanding and support for the philosophy of Seventh-day Adventist education.

Spiritually mature and mission-driven, modeling a Christ-centered life and supporting the faith development of students.

Leads with a pastoral heart, demonstrating wisdom, integrity, discretion, and pastoral sensitivity in interactions and decision-making.

Fosters a campus culture that integrates faith, learning, and whole-person student development.

Strategic Leadership & Administrative Competencies

Proven executive leadership in student affairs, with a strong commitment to student-centered practices and whole-person development.

Demonstrates strategic and systems thinking, including planning, assessment, and data to guide decision-making, as well as innovation and creative problem-solving.

Effectively leads complex operations, including budget management, personnel supervision and accountability, program oversight, and regulatory compliance.

Collaborates effectively with senior leaders, faculty, and staff to advance institutional priorities, including student engagement and retention

Personal and Interpersonal Qualities

Demonstrates cultural intelligence and inclusive leadership, fosters belonging and engagement within a diverse campus community.

Demonstrates excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills,

Exercises sound judgment in complex situations including conflict resolution and crisis management response.

Leads with transparency, compassion, courage, and accountability.

Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Technical competencies

Proficiency with modern administrative technologies, data systems, and communication platforms used in higher education. Experience leveraging emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence tools, to enhance operational effectiveness is desirable.

Interpersonal interactions

Demonstrates exceptional relational skills in supporting student growth and collaborating with faculty, families, and campus partners, particularly in situations involving vulnerable or at-risk students.

Physical demands

The majority of the work week is spent in a temperature-controlled campus office as well as the ability to move throughout the campus environment to meetings and events and occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.

Work environment

The Student & Campus Life Office is a fast-paced environment with significant engagement (scheduled and unscheduled) with students and the campus community. The role includes frequent evening and weekend commitments to attend student events and to respond to urgent student life situations, as well as occasional travel for professional conferences.

The job involves exposure to any weather, could include exposure to fumes/chemicals. Noise levels are also variable depending on student/athletic events.