Vice President for the Student Experience

Alfred, NY
Full Time
Student Experience
Experienced

Alfred University—nestled in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains and the Finger Lakes wine region of Western New York State—an impactful, private, comprehensive doctoral-degree-granting university invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Vice President for the Student Experience. 

Founded in 1836, Alfred University’s mission can be encapsulated in five words: Helping Students Realize Their Purpose. It fulfills that mission through three core strengths: Intersections, through the broad range of curricular and co-curricular opportunities that students can select from in creating their educational pathways; Mentorship, through a commitment to fostering a relationship-rich educational environment that positively influences students’ personal and professional trajectories; and Inclusivity, through promoting a sense of belonging among all members of the campus community. 

Nearly 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students live, learn, and play on Alfred University’s idyllic 500-plus acre campus. Among its academic units, Alfred University has a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a Phi Beta Kappa Chapter; a School of Art and Design that is ranked in the top 10 nationally and is a world leader in ceramic and glass art; a College of Business that is AACSB accredited; a Performing Arts Division blessed with breath-taking facilities; an Inamori School of Engineering that is rated in the top 50 in materials science and offers the world’s top programs in ceramic engineering and glass engineering science; and a Graduate and School Psychology program with significant offerings in Western New York as well as New York City. Alfred University punches well above its weight with respect to inspiring philanthropic support and securing research grants. 

The vice president for the student experience will provide leadership and manage a highly effective division of student experience that includes the following centers and programs: Institute of Cultural Unity (ICU); Athletics and Recreation; Career Development; Counseling and Wellness Center, including health services and student insurance; Higher Education Opportunity Program, Student Involvement/Powell Campus Center; Dining Services (contract); Bookstore (shared with Business and Finance); The Pamela Lavin Bernstein Center for Advising; Public Safety, Residential Communities; and the Judson Leadership Center. The vice president directly supervises seven professional staff, 4-7 graduate assistants, and several undergraduate interns, who will run the Bike Hub and AU Food Pantry. The vice president's immediate leadership team is comprised of the assistant vice president of athletics and recreation, student experience, and student success. 

Reporting to Provost Beth Ann Dobie, the vice president for the student experience is a member of the cabinet, the chief operating team, and the executive council. The chief operating team, chaired by the chief operating officer, also includes the vice president for enrollment management. Together, the chief operating team members are responsible for enhancing a unified student experience from initial deposit to graduation. The team manages across processes and activities of all three areas (enrollment, student experience, and academic affairs) to foster collaboration. 

Alfred University seeks a collaborative, student-centered leader, a thoughtful, clear communicator who is inspiring, dynamic, and experienced, and who will enhance the student experience through their knowledge of student development theory and best practices. Critical to the vice president's success will be a commitment to promoting inclusivity and excellence, a track record of leading innovative change in a complex organization, and a demonstrated ability to listen to, communicate with, and work collaboratively and effectively with a broad array of constituents, often with diverging views. Successful experience in strategic planning, personnel and organizational management, and resource allocation is also necessary. 

Candidates should be aware that this search is moving on a quick timeline. For full consideration, candidate materials should be received by April 14, 2025. 

Application materials should be submitted to WittKieffer’s candidate portal using the buttons below. 

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: [email protected] 
Meredith Davis, Ph.D., Bronwen Bares Pelaez, Ph.D., and Lucy Leske 
Salary range is $160k–$180K and is negotiable. 

Alfred University actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee, student or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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