Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

Clarke University seeks a visionary integrative and mission-centered leader to serve as Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs (VPASA). Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the Presidents Cabinet the VPASA provides executive leadership for the integration of academic and student affairs advancing a holistic systems-based and continuously improving approach to student learning formation and success now and in the future.

This role unites academic affairs and student affairs in a coherent student-centered ecosystem grounded in the charism of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) and informed by Clarkes Catholic identity. The VPASA serves as a principal partner to the President; a visible champion of integrated learning across generations contexts and communities; and a trusted steward of faculty excellence student success and institutional effectiveness through evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement.

The VPASA leads a reimagined division intentionally designed to make Clarkes mission operational and a distinctive differentiator. Central to this structure are a commitment to active and experiential learning a Dean of Faculty Dean of Academic Affairs and Dean of Student Affairs reporting to the VPASA and an integrated data-informed student success framework. Direct reports include:

• The Dean of the Faculty
• The Dean of Academic Affairs
• The Dean of Student Affairs
• University Registrar
• The Executive Assistant for Academic and Student Affairs

The VPASA is expected to steward this model with foresight clarity disciplined execution compassion and a systems perspective that aligns strategy assessment and improvement across the institution in support of long-term agility and resilience.

Mission and Executive Leadership - Advance Clarkes BVM Catholic identity and heritage through policy practice and culture - Serve as a strategic partner to the President - Model values-based leadership that integrates mission academic quality student success and organizational performance Academic Affairs - Provide executive oversight of curriculum development assessment of student learning and accreditation as the Universitys Chief Academic Officer - Supervise and support the Dean of Faculty Dean of Academic Affairs Dean of Student Affairs and University Registrar - Ensure academic quality and integrity through systematic assessment use of evidence and continuous improvement consistent with regional accreditation expectations Student Affairs and Student Success - Provide unified leadership for advising retention student life and co-curricular learning - Advance an integrated student success ecosystem that uses qualitative and quantitative data to improve outcomes and close equity gaps Innovation Integration and Formation - Collaborate widely and effectively to integrate formation vocation and learning - Champion multigenerational and experiential learning models - Participate in strategic planning processes informed by strategic foresight environmental scanning and scenario-aware thinking Institutional Stewardship and Performance Excellence - Collaborate with senior leadership to align goals with institutional strategy - Advance a culture of continuous improvement organizational learning and performance excellence through systems-based processes - Strengthen institutional agility and resilience by aligning planning assessment budgeting and improvement cycles - Lead effectively through complexity transition and change with transparency and care

The ideal candidate will demonstrate integrative leadership; deep respect for Clarkes BVM Catholic identity; support of presidential leadership through ongoing institutional change; and the ability to translate mission strategy and evidence into action through holistic systems-based approaches. Early success will be reflected in strong relationships across faculty staff and students; coherent and transparent leadership; strengthened faculty morale and trust; improved student engagement and outcomes; and demonstrated progress toward institutional agility resilience and performance excellence.

Required Qualifications

• Terminal degree (PhD or equivalent)
• Tenure-eligible academic background (or prior tenure)
• Progressive academic leadership experience (Dean level or higher)
• Deep knowledge of academic operations including curriculum faculty governance accreditation assessment
• Demonstrated success in improving student retention and persistence

Application Materials:

The Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Search Committee will begin the review of applications immediately and continue work until an appointment is made. Applications must include:

• A letter of interest addressing the key responsibilities and qualifications identified in the profile;
• A current curriculum vitae; and
• The contact information (email and phone) for five professional references including their relationship to the candidate. References will not be contacted without prior authorization from the candidate.

Required Experience:

Exec