Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Engagement

At the University of Denver Student Affairs is at the heart of the student journeyempowering every student to thrive academically personally and professionally. Rooted in DUs signature 4D Experience our division is committed to fostering holistic development through four dimensions: deepen intellect develop wellbeing discover character and design careers and lives of purpose.

Our work reaches far beyond the classroom. Through dynamic high-impact programs services and experiences offered at both the Denver Campus and the Kennedy Mountain Campus we foster inclusive communities promote health and wellness cultivate exploration engagement and leadership and develop a deep sense of belonging. We are committed to creating a high-touch environment where students and participants connect meaningfully grow confidently and thrive personally and collectively.

As a division we serve the broader DU and Denver community which includes:

• Current DU Students & Families
• Prospective Students & Families
• Faculty & Staff
• Alumni & Donors
• Local Community
• Companies & Organizations
• National Peers & Media

Together we are shaping a vibrant supportive and dynamic campus culture where every student and participant can discover their potential and make a meaningful impact.

The Student Affairs division includes the following units:

• 4D Experience
• Fundraising Marketing & Communication
• Housing & Residential Education
• Driscoll & Community Commons
• Denver Dining
• Business Operations & Division Resources
• Student Engagement
• New Student & Family Programs
• Kennedy Mountain Campus
• DU Outdoors
• Wellness & Recreation
• Health & Counseling Center
• The Cultural Center
• Veteran & Military Resources
• Learning Effectiveness Program
• Student Disability Services
• Student Rights & Responsibilities
• Student Outreach & Support
• Dean of Students Office

Student Engagement is housed within Student Experience an area that includes Student Activities and Organizations; Fraternity & Sorority Life; New Student and Family Programs; Driscoll and Community Commons; Other departments as determined through ongoing divisional restructuring. This area is the centralized resource for student involvement and activities at the University of Denver. Each team supports the 4D student experience by providing unique programs services and facilities designed to foster student development and help students find their purpose.

Position Summary
The Assistant Vice Chancellor (AVC) for Student Engagement reports directly to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence (SAIE) and serves as a key member of the divisions senior leadership team. This role provides visionary leadership and strategic oversight for a diverse portfolio of departments including:

• Student Activities and Organizations
• Fraternity & Sorority Life
• New Student and Family Programs
• Driscoll and Community Commons
• Other departments as determined through ongoing divisional restructuring

The AVC drives a comprehensive student-centered engagement strategy that complements the Universitys 4D Experience and supports the mission and strategic priorities of SAIE and the broader institution. This position manages a non-compensation operating budget of approximately $1.5 million and oversees the allocation and use of over $1.5 million in student activity fees. The AVC plays a critical role in financial oversight policy development cross-campus partnerships and the cultivation of dynamic student experience.
This position summary is not designed to capture all activities duties or responsibilities required for this position. Responsibilities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time.

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership & Department Oversight

• Lead and provide direction for multiple functional areas including student activities leadership development student employee training fraternity and sorority life new student and family programs and campus commons operations.
• Supervise a team of 1114 full-time professionals 24 graduate assistants and nearly 100 undergraduate student employees.
• Guide strategic planning staff development recruitment and retention efforts.
• Ensure departmental compliance with University and HR policies; oversee performance evaluations and professional development.
• Provide consultative support to the Vice Chancellor on financial operational and personnel matters.

Financial Management

• Oversee the development monitoring and execution of annual budgets across all Student Engagement units.
• Ensure proper use and integrity of student activity fees and departmental funds.
• Identify and pursue revenue-generating opportunities that enhance student engagement and support Commons operations.
• Collaborate closely with the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Business Operations and Division Resources.
  
  

Student Organization Support

• Provide strategic and administrative leadership for student organization support advising over 130 groups including USG GSG and DUPB.
• Oversee processes for organization recognition advising event planning and problem resolution.
• Meet regularly with student government leaders and provide updates to senior administration regarding emerging trends and issues.

Student Organization Planned Protests

• Serve as the SAIE primary point of contact consultation and staffing for student organization demonstrations/rallies/protests
• Alert and update Vice Chancellor SAIE senior leadership

4D Experience and Campus Partnerships

• Collaborate with the Executive Director of the 4D Experience to integrate co-curricular opportunities into University-wide initiatives.
• Support student programming leadership development and reflective learning aligned with 4D goals.
• Partner with the Kennedy Mountain Campus team to implement First Ascent programming and other immersive student experiences.
• Coordinate communication strategies with the Chancellors Office and University Relations.

Student Employee Development

• Design and lead onboarding and training programs for student employees.
• Focus on essential competencies including communication leadership conflict resolution and a shared understanding of SAIEs mission and values.

Campus Spirit & Traditions

• Foster institutional pride and student engagement through campus-wide programs and traditions.
• Lead the creation and execution of signature events such as the National Championship Bonfire and Family Weekend.
• Build partnerships with departments local communities and student organizations to sustain key traditions and enhance school spirit.

Institutional Representation & Service

• Serve on the Student Affairs Leadership Team and various University and divisional committees.
• Represent the University at state regional and national conferences.
• Stay current on trends and research in student affairs and integrate findings into practice.

Other Duties as Assigned

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Visionary leadership and strong strategic planning skills.
• Proficiency in financial planning marketing evaluation and process improvement.
• Deep understanding of student learning and development theory.
• Strong written verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and work collaboratively across units.
• Software proficiency in spreadsheets databases and student engagement platforms.

Required Qualifications

• Masters degree in a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs with specific expertise in student activities student unions leadership programs and inclusive student engagement.
• Demonstrated success in managing campus programs facilities and student events.
• Proven experience in budgeting strategic planning and student organization advising.
• Strong commitment to diversity equity and inclusion with a record of accomplishment of fostering inclusive communities.
• Experience in supervision assessment and the development of a high-performing team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in a related field and 15 years of experience in higher education.
• Advanced expertise in student leadership development training and advising.
• Demonstrated success with large-scale event planning student union operations and campus programming

Work Schedule

This position requires employees to work onsite 8:00am-4:30pm with some weekends evenings and holidays. (Schedules vary by department and position.)

This position includes after-hours on-call for response to student incidents and availability to support student programming events. The University of Denver and SAIE recognize the utilization of flexible work arrangements where these arrangements are operationally appropriate and supervisor approved.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Application Deadline
For consideration please submit your application materials by 8:00 a.m. (MST) June 13 2025.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 17.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $145000 - $160000

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate departmental budget availability internal salary equity considerations and available market information but not based on a candidates sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits including medical dental retirement paid time off tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family or parental status pregnancy or related conditions national origin disability or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color national origin ancestry age religion creed disability sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family and parental status pregnancy genetic information military enlistment or veteran status and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal state or local law regulation or ordinance in any of the Universitys educational programs and activities and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers Rights (POWR) Act; and any other federal state and local laws regulations or ordinances that prohibit discrimination harassment and/or retaliation. For more information please see the University of Denvers NonDiscriminationStatement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.