Associate Vice President Blanding

Utah State University invites nominations and applications for the position of Associate Vice President (AVP) of Utah State University Blanding. Located in Blanding Utah USU Blanding is a residential campus within the statewide system of Utah State University offering certificate associate bachelors masters and doctoral degrees.

The Associate Vice President reports to the Deputy Vice President for Statewide Residential Campuses and serves on the Statewide Campus Administrative Council. This senior leadership role is responsible for advancing enrollment growth strengthening workforce alignment and deepening partnerships across San Juan County and the broader Four Corners region.

USU Blanding plays a critical role in expanding educational access in rural Utah. The next AVP will lead with a clear focus on:

• Sustainable enrollment growth and student retention
• Academic programming aligned with regional workforce and economic priorities
• Strong collaboration with school districts local and Tribal governments community leaders and industry partners

The successful candidate will bring executive leadership experience and the ability to guide a comprehensive residential campus in a complex and evolving environment. This individual must understand how to build trust in rural communities strengthen regional pipelines and align academic offerings with real opportunity. The AVP will represent the campus effectively within the university system while advocating for the distinctive needs of USU Blanding.

The Associate Vice President will:

• Develop and execute a strategic plan focused on enrollment access and regional impact
• Strengthen recruitment concurrent enrollment and transfer pathways
• Expand workforce certificates applied programs and community-based learning opportunities
• Advance teaching research and student-centered support services
• Cultivate alumni donor and legislative relationships
• Secure external funding and philanthropic support
• Foster a campus culture grounded in collaboration accountability and student success

Strong communication skills sound fiscal leadership and the ability to build durable partnerships are essential. The ideal candidate will demonstrate cultural awareness experience working with Native American communities and a deep commitment to the land-grant mission of Utah State University.

The position is available June 1 2026 or at a mutually agreed-upon date. Review of applications will begin March 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

• Provide executive leadership for USU Blanding
• Develop and implement a strategic vision centered on enrollment growth and regional vitality
• Align academic programs with workforce and community needs
• Build and sustain strong partnerships with local and Tribal governments school districts local employers and community organizations
• Represent and advocate for USU Blanding within the broader university system
• Oversee campus budgets personnel and operations
• Support advancement and fundraising efforts
• Support innovative instructional delivery including hybrid and distance education
• Promote student success retention and completion
• Collaborate closely with fellow Associate Vice Presidents across the statewide system

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned bachelors degree plus 11 years of related work experience with at least 7 of the years in leadership role OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Record of executive leadership in higher education or a comparable environment
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education
• Experience working with Tribal governments
• Experience driving enrollment growth program expansion or strategic initiatives
• Demonstrated fiscal and personnel management experience
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience building collaborative partnerships across sectors
• Commitment to inclusive excellence and equal opportunity
• Appreciation for and commitment to the land-grant mission

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading a regional or residential campus
• Demonstrated success securing grants contracts or philanthropic support
• Experience working with Native American students
• Experience serving non-traditional and rural student populations
• Familiarity with workforce-aligned academic programming

Along with the online application please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Resume/CV

2. Cover Letter Outling Qualifications to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

3. Statement describing your vision for the role and responsibilities of the Associate Vice President USU Blanding to be typed/pasted at the end of your application under Other Documents
4. Contact information for at least three references to be typed at the beginning of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants but not necessarily occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

Founded in 1977 USU Blanding serves San Juan County and the Four Corners region. The campus provides access to higher education in a rural and culturally rich environment surrounded by national and Tribal parks and unique landscapes.

USU Blanding combines the personalized experience of a community-focused campus with the academic strength and resources of a major public research university. The campus offers workforce training professional development and associate through doctoral degrees. Through deep community partnerships and a focus on student success USU Blanding plays a central role in strengthening educational attainment and economic opportunity in southeastern Utah.

Learn more at: Highlights

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