The Vice President for Student Success and Belonging (VPSSB) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for a broad portfolio of student engagement and campus life initiatives. As the chief student advocate and student development officer, the VPSSB provides vision, leadership, and direction to a comprehensive student affairs team which includes: residence life, student involvement, student health and counseling, safety and security, campus ministry and spiritual wellness, accommodations and accessibility, food service and student success. The VPSSB is responsible for creating and maintaining a student-centered culture, developing and implementing programs and procedures to foster student belonging and success, and collaborating with colleagues to strengthen student retention and engagement. The role reports directly to the President and is a key member of the university's Senior Leadership Team.

Primary Duties

• Guide the success of students from orientation through graduation
• Promote effective working relationships between departments to create a seamless student experience
• Partner with academics and admissions teams to create effective new student onboarding and first year experience programs
• Utilize institutional data to craft retention strategies
• Collaborate and partner on university initiatives to create a campus-wide culture of student success and belonging
• Create a supportive, responsive, and inclusive campus community that is welcoming to all and results in positive student relations and engagement.
• Provide sustainable, cost-effective programs that meet the unique needs of Midland students
• Assess student outcomes and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and accountability
• Lead, mentor and develop a high performing staff of professionals who are knowledgeable and experienced in student development, passionate about working with our students, and committed to Midland
• Serve as an active, collaborative and effective contributor to the Senior Leadership Team
• Develop training and other proactive initiatives to improve student safety and provide effective response and assistance during student related crises
• Oversee student conduct and student related campus policies
• Ensure that all programs and services in Student Affairs comply with relevant state and federal laws

Required Qualifications

Candidates must have a Master's degree (terminal degree preferred), and experience in student engagement strategies and campus life initiatives. They must also have the ability to:

• Bring innovative solutions to student success and institutional challenges/opportunities
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for serving and advocating for students, both individually and collectively
• Build strong student relationships by listening effectively and displaying empathy
• Project a strong positive image of the university through public speaking, personal interaction with faculty, staff, students, parents, community leaders and others
• Embrace Midland's foundation and history as a Christian liberal arts university with roots in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA)
• Demonstrate commitment to foster student belonging
• Demonstrate effective conflict resolution skills