THE SEARCH FOR A VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS AT SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY

Transcription

1 THE SEARCH FOR A VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS AT SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia announces a national search for vice president for student affairs. The VPSA is the chief student affairs officer and has administrative responsibility for all of the student life functions of the university, while also serving as a key member of the President s Cabinet. The new VPSA will be expected to assume office in July 2014 or as soon thereafter as feasible. SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY: AN OVERVIEW For 123 years, Savannah State University has been an important contributor to higher education. As the oldest public HBCU in Georgia and the first institution of higher learning in the historic city of Savannah, SSU has served the community with distinction while meeting the educational needs of an increasingly diverse student population. With an enrollment of 4,800 students, SSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the colleges of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Business Administration, and Sciences and Technology, along with the newly formed School of Teacher Education. Originally named Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth, SSU was located in Athens, Georgia for several months in On October 7, 1891, SSU moved to its permanent coastal location in Savannah. Major Richard R. Wright Sr. served as the institution's first president from Under the administration of the school's third President, Benjamin F. Hubert, the college became a full-time

2 degree granting institution in Four years later, Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youths was renamed Georgia State College. During the tenure of the college's fifth president, Dr. William K. Payne, the school became Savannah State College. In 1996, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia granted university status to the institution and ratified its renaming as Savannah State University. The University offers a comprehensive array of organized and informal co-curricular activities including 75 student organizations, leadership workshops, intramural activities, student publications, and student internships. Student organizations and leadership workshops encourage student involvement in campus governance and provide valuable skills for future lives and careers. These activities instill institutional values of honesty, civility, and respect for freedom of thought and expression and foster purposeful engagement in academic pursuits. SSU offers a full range of recreational activities and wellness programs and supports facilities for students, faculty, and staff, including two gymnasiums, a pool, outdoor tennis courts, soccer fields, basketball courts, and a fitness center with state-of-the-art exercise equipment. The 200+ acre campus is one of the most picturesque in the state of Georgia. The moss-laden sweeping oak trees, expansive salt-water marsh, and historic architecture create a resplendent yet tranquil atmosphere. Amidst this beauty and splendor is a vibrant residential campus bursting at the seams with the vim and vigor of quality collegiate life: relevant academic majors, engaging lectures, cutting-edge research, quality student-faculty engagement, and a nurturing environment. ABOUT SAVANNAH Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia, and the county seat of Chatham County. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah became the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and subsequently the first state capital of Georgia. A strategic port city during the American Revolution and the American Civil War, Savannah is today an industrial center and an important Atlantic seaport. It is Georgia's fifth-largest city and its third-largest metropolitan area with a population of over 360,000.

3 Each year Savannah attracts millions of visitors, who enjoy the city's architecture and historic buildings: the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low (founder of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America), the Georgia Historical Society (the oldest continually operating historical society in the South), the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences (one of the South's first public museums), the First African Baptist Church (one of the oldest African-American Baptist congregations in the United States), Temple Mickve Israel (the third oldest synagogue in America), and the Central of Georgia Railway roundhouse complex (the oldest standing antebellum rail facility in America). Savannah's downtown area, which includes the Savannah Historic District, the Savannah Victorian Historic District and 22 park-like squares, is one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States (designated by the U.S. government in 1966). As the first planned city in North America, downtown Savannah retains the original town plan and network of squares prescribed by founder James Oglethorpe (a design now known as The Oglethorpe Plan). Savannah was the host city for the sailing competitions during the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta. LEADERSHIP AGENDA FOR THE NEW VPSA The VPSA has responsibility for the strategic focus, quality, and success of all student affairs programs. She or he will report directly to the president, Dr. Cheryl Dozier, who has provided strong leadership for SSU since 2011, and will serve as a member of the President s Cabinet. The VPSA will be responsible for a staff of over 100 professionals including their recruitment, appointment, retention, and evaluation, as well as developing and administering the budget of student affairs and all its units. Reporting directly to the VPSA are an assistant vice president, five directors/coordinators, and one senior administrative specialist. The following areas fall under the purview of the student affairs function: Student Life, including student government, student activities, student ethics, Greek life, the University Center, and student programs and organizations Student Development, including the counseling center, health services, disability services, and intramural sports/wellness Veterans Affairs Ombudsman/Student Advocate Career Services Residential Services and Programs

4 The university has developed the following agenda that will capitalize on creative, insightful, and decisive leadership: Promoting Student Engagement Savannah State is committed to a student-first philosophy in which the entire community is focused on student success. The new VPSA will have the opportunity to continue to develop a student-centered environment that extends learning beyond the classroom, engaging students in leadership, volunteer, philanthropic, and other activities. Ways must be found to do that in a student population that has many competing financial and work responsibilities and many students who are the first generation attending college. Increasing Collaboration with Academic Affairs The new VPSA will work closely with the provost and the division of academic affairs on integration of all aspects of student life with the educational mission of the institution. The VPSA will provide leadership and vision to the division of student affairs with respect to student success, retention, and graduation. He or she will cultivate understanding of the influence of student life efforts on academic success and establish practices that support the educational mission. The VPSA will encourage and develop strong student affairs relationships with academic programs and faculty in support of retention, academic progress, and graduation efforts. This includes cooperation with enrollment management to provide a seamless and affirmative student enrollment experience. Maintaining Fiscal Responsibility in the Division As economic realities impact all of higher education, the VPSA will need fiscal acumen and strong financial management across all areas of student affairs. As state resources continue to be constrained, the VPSA will be asked to work closely with the vice president of administration and finance to oversee reliable operating budgets, build strategic business models, identify new and existing sources for program and infrastructure investment, and lead a conversation on responsible use of institutional resources.

5 Balancing Student Development and Student Discipline While leading the student affairs division in the provision of a holistic approach to student development, the VPSA must lead in the appropriate and constructive management of student matters. SSU houses over 60% of its students and the large residential population gives rise to learning opportunities and the need to maintain safety and security on campus. The VPSA will be expected to have the ability to deftly handle the balance between the disciplinary function and the student advocate function inherent in the role of the chief student affairs officer. DESIRED ATTRIBUTES FOR THE NEXT VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS The successful VPSA will be: One who demonstrates student focus and is committed to excellence in student programming and support; A professional who has active involvement with and knowledge of student development, assessment, and accountability; Someone who is knowledgeable about student discipline, safety, conduct, and risk management; A person who has the ability to think systematically and globally in advancing the mission of SSU; A leader who will engage and collaborate closely with students, staff, faculty, and administrative colleagues throughout the university to build consensus and support; A person who will build the student experience at the university through recognizing and promoting the work of others; Someone who can build and be a part of effective and well aligned teams; A person who will develop and foster partnerships across and beyond the university; One who possesses character that combines human compatibility, integrity, the highest standards of ethics, and the determination to be an effective team member; A person of proven leadership and integrity who will inspire trust and instill confidence in the SSU community; An individual who can provide visionary strategic thinking and planning skills;

6 A person who has an enthusiastic campus presence, actively engaged in a living learning community of faculty, students, staff, alumni, and the local Savannah community; A transparent and courageous decision-maker who is data-driven, builds consensus, has the fortitude to make difficult choices when necessary, and communicates decisions with clarity and care; A person of financial acumen who will have the experience to use university resources wisely; A person of global perspective who is culturally sensitive and committed to fostering diversity in its many forms; Someone who understands the history and strongly supports the mission of HBCU s; A student of higher education, knowledgeable about key issues affecting universities nationally; A superb listener and communicator, at ease in a multitude of settings with multiple constituencies, and possessing a genuine affection for the academy; A leader with energy, stamina, and a sense of humor; A person who values technology and understands the importance of leveraging technology in the service of the student affairs functions. QUALIFICATIONS In addition to the aforementioned desired attributes, the successful candidate will possess an advanced degree and progressively significant college or university leadership experience with line responsibility as a dean/director or above in student affairs. NOMINATION AND APPLICATION PROCESS Nominations and applications will be received until the position is filled but, in order to receive full consideration, candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by December 15, All nominations, applications, and inquiries will be held in full confidence until finalists are identified for on-campus interviews. Savannah State University is being assisted in this search by Academic Search, Inc. Nominators or prospective candidates may direct inquiries or questions to Senior Consultants Dr. Mac A. Stewart at mas@academic-search.com or Dr. Tom Fitch at rtf@academic-search.com. Application materials should consist of a curriculum vitae, a substantive cover letter addressing required and preferred qualifications, and a list of five references, none of whom will be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate. All application materials must be

7 submitted electronically to Dr. Reynold Verret, chair of the VPSA search committee at Savannah State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.