Job Listings

The Opportunity

Mary Baldwin University (MBU) seeks a strategic, inclusive, and ambitious senior student affairs officer, hungry for an opportunity to modernize and deepen student life at an entrepreneurial institution, which serves to launch predominantly first generation, low income, and students of color at the undergraduate residential level. The Vice President of Student Engagement (VPSE) will catalyze campus efforts to develop an inclusive, mentored, and tight-knit campus community that promotes students’ intellectual and personal development, well-being, leadership, intercultural competency, and identity exploration.

About Mary Baldwin

Mary Baldwin University is a small, private university enrolling nearly 1,800 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels on campuses in Staunton and Fishersville, Virginia, and online. Our mission is to empower inclusive leaders to create lives of purpose and professional success in our changing world. With 60 percent of undergraduate residential students being Pell-eligible, 50 percent students of color, and 40 percent first generation, Mary Baldwin is among the most diverse campuses in the country.

Reporting Relationships

Reporting to the President and serving on the Executive Staff (cabinet), the position oversees a robust portfolio of student affairs functions that support student belonging, development, and learning outside the classroom, including: Residence Life, Student Activities, Counseling Services (and TimelyCare), Health Services, Athletics, Dining, Student Conduct, Title IX coordination, Security, Wellness, Student Government Association, Orientation, the Campus Cupboard and Campus Closet, Chaplain (dotted line), and more.

Position Responsibilities

With the vision, skills, character, and drive to put creative ideas and best practices into action, the position will include the following responsibilities.

• Establish priorities, allocate resources, and provide direction to ensure the University is empowering tomorrow’s leaders to pursue lives of purpose and professional success.

• Facilitate and manage strategic planning and assessment efforts within Student Engagement to advance student learning, leadership and skill development, and enhancements to the student experience.

• Serve as a highly visible and accessible leader working in collaboration with students, faculty, and staff as well as leadership of online and graduate student programs, with a commitment to the holistic development of students through programs and initiatives focused on fostering student engagement, well-being, and belonging.

• Partner with academic leadership, enrollment management, and faculty to support in- and out-of-classroom learning, connections between academics and co-curricular engagement, and strategic efforts on retention and graduation rates.

• Maintain understanding of college student needs and advocate cross-institutionally for innovative and progressive programs and services for MBU students.

• Work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to reimagine the residential experience, create a comprehensive housing plan, and implement a new residential college system.

• Create and foster a culture of personal growth and development for Student Engagement staff; support them in implementing changes to service models, staffing, outreach, and other areas in response to evolving student needs.

• Manage complex budgets; maintain an understanding of business operations and organizational systems; partner with University Advancement and others to seek external sources of private and grant funding.

• Oversee and direct Student Engagement policies and regulations to support student success, remain in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, and minimize institutional liability.

• Advocate for and strategically enhance support for student well-being, health, and mental health. Oversee student crisis response systems that include best practices in case management, bias response, and educational services. 

• Provide advice and counsel to the President; represent the University and Student Engagement division on various community and University committees and task forces.

• Serve as a highly visible member of the broader community and campus liaison with key University partners including the University Board of Trustees, parents, and families.

• Maintain town-gown relationships and foster positive relations with the local community.

Qualifications

• EdD or PhD in a related field preferred. Master's degree and a record of successful and progressively responsible leadership in student affairs/life are required.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership responsibilities in student affairs in a higher education setting, including responsibility for budgets, legal issues, cross-institutional initiatives, and other issues on a private residential university campus.

• Experience supervising, mentoring, and developing staff, fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, providing leadership of university-wide committees.

• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing equitable practices and initiatives that enhance support and outcomes for students from historically marginalized communities.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; sound judgment, sensitivity, and ability to inspire confidence and trust and to work effectively with internal and external constituents, including students, parents, faculty, advisors, security, senior leadership, trustees, and others.

• Demonstrable expertise and experience in best practices for policy and procedure, particularly crisis management, student health issues, and student conduct.

• Demonstrated use of data, assessment, program review and evidence-based practices to inform analysis, development, and planning of initiatives, interventions and programs.

Application and Nomination

Review of applications will begin December 15, 2023, and continue until the position is filled. Inquiries, nominations, and applications should be emailed to Vice President of Enrollment Management Matt Munsey at mmunsey@marybaldwin.edu. Candidates should provide a resume or curriculum vitae and a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the leadership. Hiring range is commensurate with education and experience. A full position description can be found here.

Mary Baldwin University values and celebrates diversity, is committed to equal opportunity, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or veteran’s status.