Benefits of Being a Lindenwood Employee:
APPLICATION & NOMINATION PROCESS
CBIZ Higher Education an executive search firm practice is assisting Lindenwood University with its search for this important leadership position. All calls and inquiries should be made through the search firm. Nominations and applications will be held in strict confidence and candidates will remain confidential until the final stage of the search at which time the express permission of finalists will be obtained before their candidacy is made public.
APPLICATION PROCESS
STEP 1
Complete a brief online application (2-3 minutes):
Click here to apply or
Copy/paste the URL into browser: 2
Send us your cover letter and résumé or curriculum vitae
Send in PDF format
Email subject line should read: Lindenwood University - AVP Student Affairs Application
KEY DATES
Application deadline is October 21 2025
Round 1 Semi-Finalist video Interviews are scheduled for November 10 2025
Round 2 Semi-Finalist video Interviews are scheduled for November 17 2025
On-Campus Interviews are tentatively scheduled for December 1 2025
The desired start date is January 2026
CONFIDENTIAL INQUIRIES
Pelema Ellis Ph.D.
Executive Vice President & Head Higher Education Practice
NOMINATIONS & APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Edith Ketay
Practice Manager Higher Education Practice
Job Title: Vice President Student Affairs
Division: Student Affairs
Evaluation Group: Staff Administrator
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports To: President Lindenwood University
Positions Supervised: Dean of Students; Director Student Counseling and Resource Center; Director Student Involvement and First Year Programs; Director Center for Campus Community and Connection; Director of Operations Food Services; Associate Director Residential Life; Manager Campus Recreation; Director Community Standards and Conflict Resolution
Job Summary
The vice president (VP) of student affairs is responsible for providing leadership management strategic direction policy development and administrative oversight for the department. The VP student affairs is also responsible for the management of related auxiliary services and the programming planning development and coordination of all student life activities at Lindenwood University. This position provides oversight to all functional areas of Student Affairs with a focus on student life student housing and student wellness.
Essential Job Functions and Performance Indicators
The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and level of responsibility that will be required of positions given this title. This job description shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Job Responsibilities and Execution
Fosters a safe supportive campus environment with a strong emphasis on upholding student welfare and promoting a sense of belonging connectedness and community across all student interactions
Administers a comprehensive operational plan for student life programs creating opportunities to engage diverse ideas inside and outside the classroom
Manages all student crises
Plans and executes the student housing occupancy plan in alignment with the Universitys long-range financial plan
Serves as the appeal officer for student conduct adjudications
Provides co-curricular programs and services that emphasize student development and success
Manages contracts and maintains relationships with third-party service providers for the Universitys Student Health Center and the Universitys mental health services
Oversees the Student Health Center and ensures health compliance such as immunization requirements
Provides oversight for auxiliary units (e.g. bookstore) and vendor relationships (e.g. on-campus dining)
Ensures that all University student life programs remain on schedule and achieve set goals
Reviews and modifies the student handbook and any student development policies that appear in the academic catalogs
Carries out relevant federal state and institutional compliance activities as needed
Maintains accountability for student retention and persistence metrics
Uses data analytics to drive student success initiatives
Implements comprehensive assessment programs across student affairs
Manages student information systems and technology platforms
Leadership and Strategic Thinking
Establishes long- and short-term strategic goals based on assessment data and ensures standards for the department and its field are met or exceeded
Adapts and modifies leadership based on new information and/or data; works to set and unite people on the new direction
Utilizes effective strategies to build collaboration for maximum execution
Aligns department purpose and actions with relevant University initiatives and higher education trends
Oversees all internal strategic personnel and fiscal planning for the department
Develops and maintains student code of conduct policies
Provides strategic direction for care and concern for student populations
Provides frequent comprehensive and data-focused oral and written reports to campus and community constituents on the progress of the department
Partners with academic colleagues to engage faculty in matters of co-curricular development
Collaborates with enrollment management on recruitment and yield strategies
Leads digital transformation initiatives in student services
Employee Management and Development
Supports the mission of the University and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence
Models supports and holds others accountable to the Universitys values
Recruits interviews recommends welcomes observes and monitors performance of department staff
Sets clear performance expectations and holds employees accountable
Conducts annual employee evaluations based on evidence observation and feedback
Provides autonomy authority and resources to support and enable staff to meet job expectations
Job may require other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications An equivalent combination of education training and experience will be considered. Additional requirements may be designated by position.
Masters degree
Minimum of 10 years progressive leadership and supervision in higher education educational leadership and/or student services at an accredited institution
Direct administrative and financial management experience
Extensive knowledge of best practices related to providing effective responsive and fiscally sound campus-based auxiliary services to a university community
Extensive experience with auxiliary budget management; experience with third-party vendor management preferred
Comprehensive student affairs operations experience
Well-versed in assessing market demand of varied constituencies and planning new services and/or modifying existing services to meet these needs
Terminal degree preferred
Knowledge Skills and Abilities May be representative but not all inclusive of the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to perform this job competently
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures
Knowledge of budgeting assessment diversity initiatives and human resource practices
Knowledge of Title IX Title VII Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Clery Act Drug-Free Schools and Community Act (DFSCA) and Office of Civil Rights compliance
Demonstrated experience in collaborating broadly to promote student success
Demonstrated leadership abilities including the ability to manage resources delegate responsibilities and apportion authority
Strong understanding of retention and recruitment issues relative to their impact on instructional learning student retention and legal liability
Excellent interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills
Excellent customer service skills
Highly organized and motivated with the ability to take initiative
Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously
Strong professional integrity
Ability to creatively solve problems use good judgment and think critically
Highly developed analytical skills
Work Environment Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of this jobs functions. Please click here to view Lindenwood Universitys flexible work designation descriptions.
General office setting
Evening and weekend work required
Serves as a Campus Security Authority (CSA)
Non-Standard Flex
Physical Abilities The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this jobs essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Ability to sit/stand for extended periods of time
Ability to work effectively at a computer for extended time daily
Ability to lift/carry items commonly found in an office setting including but not limited to documents laptops etc.
Ability to use repetitive wrist hand and finger movements to type regularly
Adequately mobile to attend events on- and off-campus
Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function
Equal Opportunity Employer
Lindenwood University is an Equal Opportunity employer. The University complies with appropriate federal state and local laws and provides equal employment opportunities and access to educational programs without regard to race color religion gender age sexual orientation gender identity national origin veteran status disability or any other protected status to all qualified applicants and employees. Lindenwood University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and dedicated to providing a positive discrimination-free educational work environment.
Required Experience:
Exec
Founded 1832, Lindenwood University offers dynamic liberal arts degrees in St. Charles, MO & online, fostering academic excellence for St. Louis area students.