Assistant VC for Student Engagement & Leadership

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & Campus Life (SACL), the AVC is responsible for overseeing a range of programs, services, and agencies focused on enhancing the student experience, increasing leadership development opportunities, and supporting overall campus engagement. Specifically, the AVC oversees Sorority and Fraternity Life, Leadership Development, and Student Organizational Development and Management (including Student Activities, Student Governance, Student Operations and Facilities, and Student Media and events). The SEL Collaborative supports more than 380 student organizations, undergraduate and graduate student governance, student-run businesses, agencies that support student programs, the Student Union, student-run media, and student leadership development and training. The AVC supervises five direct reports and a total of 20 staff. The AVC is a key member of the SACL leadership team.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to help the University realize its vision to ensure a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive campus community. UMass Amherst seeks an empathetic leader with a broad view of diversity and a deep commitment to improving the student experience. The successful candidate will be a creative and innovative leader with strong communication and problem-solving skills and the ability to serve as a collaborative partner to senior leadership and colleagues across SACL and the University. The AVC will be a passionate advocate for students, who understands the needs of the UMass Amherst student body and is committed to promoting a positive and inclusive campus climate for all students.

The AVC will demonstrate excellent management, team, and coalition-building skills and the ability to work collaboratively with students, administrative colleagues, and faculty. The AVC should have experience working in a complex environment (preferably a large public research university) and possess a track record showing commitment to diversity and to fostering an inclusive culture. Required qualifications include an advanced degree (preferably a doctoral degree) in Higher Education Administration, Student Counseling, Organizational Development or other related field; at least seven years of progressively responsible work experience providing services to students in a college or university setting, including at least five years of experience supervising professional staff; direct experience developing, managing and/or leading student engagement and leadership programs, student activities, student services, and/or other student program initiatives; familiarity with college student development, leadership development and organizational development theories and best practices; experience with budgeting, strategic planning, and assessment of learning; demonstrated experience working with and serving diverse populations, developing inclusive communities, and managing intergenerational work teams; excellent relationship-building skills; demonstrated ability to manage conflict, crises, and stressful situations; a passion for motivating and inspiring students and to fostering their success; and a personal style that is positive, empowering, solutions-oriented, and generates trust.

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