Vice President for Student Affairs

TheUniversity of St. Thomas invites nominations and applications for the position ofVice President for Student Affairs(VPSA). After a very distinguished career of over 35 years at UST current Vice President for Student Affairs Karen Lange Ed.D. will be retiring in the summer of 2026. This is a pivotal leadership opportunity at one of the nations leading Catholic universitiesan institution committed to educating morally responsible leaders who think critically act wisely and work skillfully to advance the common good. As Minnesotas largest private university and among the countrys most prominent Catholic institutions St. Thomas serves nearly 10000 students across eight schools and colleges on campuses in St. Paul Minneapolis and Rome Italy. The University benefits from net assets of $1.2 billion strong philanthropic momentum an engaged Board of Trustees and a vibrant alumni network of more than 115000 worldwide.

St. Thomas is on an upward trajectory marked by strategic academic expansion rising national visibility and bold investments in the student experience. The Universitys historic transition from NCAA Division III to Division I in 2021 continues to elevate enrollment strengthen school spirit and expand institutional reach. The recent strategic plan ushered in a dynamic period of growthincluding significant enhancements to the campus residential environment the expansion of the Morrison Family College of Health and investments in facilities such as the Center for WellBeing and the Iversen Center for Faith. The new strategic planSt. Thomas 2030 is built upon the UniversitysFoundational Pillarsand successes of the previous strategic plan.

Within this context of remarkable momentum the next VPSA will play a central role in advancing a holistic mission aligned and forward-looking student experience. Reporting directly to Executive Vice President and Provost Eddy Rojas serving on the Presidents Cabinet the VPSA will lead a strong and long-tenured Student Affairs division that includes the Dean of Students Student Engagement & Belonging Residence Life the Center for Well-Being Retention and Student Success partnerships and key cocurricular programs that shape campus life. The VPSA will steward and champion a student experience grounded in the Catholic intellectual traditionone that prioritizes belonging wellbeing leadership formation and whole person development across undergraduate graduate international and commuter populations.

This moment of institutional transformation offers exceptional opportunity. The next VPSA will help guide the Universitys evolving residential strategyincluding the recently implemented two-year on campus living requirement and continued investments in housingand further integrate the Division I athletics transition into campus vibrancy and student engagement. Rising diversity across the student body growth in international enrollment and strong employer demand for St. Thomas graduates position the VPSA to meaningfully enhance retention belonging and student success in collaboration with Academic Affairs and key campus partners. As a member of the presidents cabinet and leading the Division of Student Affairs senior staff the VPSA provides strategic and operational leadership for all Student Affairs units. The VPSA will oversee a $13M operating and $35M overall budget and portfolio of seven direct reports 70 professional staff 3 doctoral interns 12 graduate student assistants and over 400 undergraduate student employees.

All applications nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should includeasseparate documents a CV or résuméand a letter of interest addressing the themes intheleadershipprofile.

WittKiefferisassistingtheUniversity of St. Thomas withthissearch. Forfullestconsideration candidate materials should be received byApril 13 direct all nominations and applications through theWittKiefferCandidate can be directed toJenMeyers Pickard Ph.D. and Christy M. Pratt M.A. at .

The University of St. Thomas has provided a salary range of $230000 $240000 that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate departmental budget internal salary equity considerations and available market information. The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program which includes:

• Tuition Remissionfor employees spouses and dependents
• Generous Retirement Contributionsto support your future
• Comprehensive Health Coverage including medical dental and vision
• Fully Paid Insurance: disability life and AD&D
• Paid Parental Leaveto support growing families

The University of St. Thomas embraces diversity inclusion and equality for all. Our convictions of dignity diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion a diverse equitable and inclusive environment. We welcome applicants of diverse races ethnicities geographic origins gender identities ages socioeconomic backgrounds sexual orientations religions work experience physical and intellectual abilities and financial means. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds perspectives and skills.

The successful candidate will have a masters degree with an earned doctorate or terminal degree in a relevant field is preferred. The ideal candidate will be a strategic collaborative and mission committed leader with demonstrated success in student affairs administration. They will bring exceptional emotional intelligence crisis management skills and the capacity to lead in a context of high expectations and deep institutional pride.