Associate Vice Provost, Campus Engagement at InsideHigherEd

Position Summary:
The Associate Vice Provost for Campus Engagement is a member of the leadership team in the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence and supports the Vice Provost in advancing crucial priorities and initiatives in the office, particularly those related to campus belonging, pluralism, civic confidence, cultural competence, and student leadership development.

The Associate Vice Provost supervises and works closely with a team of professionals who focus especially on campus engagement and collaborates with staff from throughout the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence (AIE), as well as with professionals from across the university to meet programming goals and objectives. The Associate Vice Provost is a key point of contact for the more than 40 student organizations supported by AIE and thus plays an important role in the continued development of a rich co-curricular life across the university.
The university’s new strategic plan, Momentous, presents Rice’s 10-year vision for and commitment to becoming the premier university in the world for teaching and research. The professional serving in this role will provide essential direction and oversight for AIE programs aligned with meeting university strategic goals focused on student leadership development and the continued building of an extraordinarily welcoming, inclusive, and engaged campus environment—an opportunity to take on some of the most exciting and rewarding work happening at Rice right now.

Ideal Candidate Statement:
The successful candidate will be a poised, visionary, and deeply collaborative leader committed to supporting the mission of the university, both through increasing access to its resources and opportunities for a rich campus life and by encouraging a deep engagement with the university’s highest ideals.

Workplace Requirements:

• This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in person on campus. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.
• Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a one-hour meal break.
• Frequent evening and weekend work.
• This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime pay. During some weeks, employees will be required to work more hours to meet their job responsibilities.

Salary: Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Five years of progressive experience leading belonging, campus engagement, co-curricular, and student leadership initiatives within a higher education setting, with a demonstrated track record of success 
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

Skills:

• Familiarity with the educational mission pertaining to the nation’s leading research universities and a strong appreciation of the evolving liberal arts tradition
• Demonstrated ability to design, support, and oversee a wide array of community-building initiatives
• Ability to establish credibility and effective working relationships across the university
• Strong leadership and strategic management skills
• Advanced communication skills to clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences, client groups, and all levels of management
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and experience leading and developing a team
• Strong analytical skills in reviewing and analyzing complex financial/budgetary information
• Understanding of underlying technological needs and requirements

Preferences:

• Master’s degree
• Eight years of progressive experience leading belonging, campus engagement, co-curricular, and student leadership initiatives within a higher education setting, with a demonstrated track record of success
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing greater access to campus opportunities for all, fostering civil discourse, aiding in the development of a rigorously open intellectual environment across the university, fortifying habits of pluralism (inclusion, mutual respect, dialogue), and building civic confidence across the campus, especially among students
• Strong knowledge of student development theories, practices, and frameworks, and the ability to translate them into actionable strategies
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build consensus, facilitate difficult conversations, and foster collaboration across diverse constituencies
• Experience in policy development, implementation, and assessment related to student life in a residential college setting
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with university faculty
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills, with the ability to utilize data to inform decision-making and measure progress
• Familiarity with applicable laws, regulations, and compliance requirements related to student life in higher education
• Experience in resource allocation and grant writing to support key office initiatives
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current with emerging trends and research in student development and campus engagement

Essential Functions:

• Design, implement, and evaluate programs that encourage student involvement, leadership, and a sense of belonging within the campus community, helping to ensure that all students have the opportunity to engage meaningfully with campus life
• Foster a campus culture that values pluralism, diverse perspectives, and encourages open dialogue among students, faculty, and staff
• Design and oversee innovative programs, workshops, and initiatives that foster cultural competence and understanding, and encourage dialogue on complex issues related to identity and culture among students, faculty, and staff
• Forge strong, collaborative relationships with student organizations, faculty, staff, and community partners to create opportunities that enrich the educational experience and community life across the university
• Serve as a vital liaison between student organizations and AIE leadership—ensuring that student voices are heard and valued in decision-making processes, and likewise clearly and thoughtfully communicating university perspectives and positions to university students
• Recruit, supervise, develop, and mentor a highly qualified, diverse team of professionals focused on campus engagement, encouraging a culture of collaboration and innovation
• Foster a positive work environment that emphasizes growth, inclusive practices, and professional development
• Serve as a primary point of contact for student organizations supported by AIE resources and staff
• Oversee budgeting and resource allocation for campus engagement and related initiatives, ensuring financial sustainability and responsible stewardship of funds
• Build partnerships with local organizations and alumni to extend and further enrich campus engagement activities
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions (45%):
• Policy Development and Implementation: Collaborate with senior leadership to develop, refine, and implement policies that promote inclusion, openness, and pluralism across areas of the institution.
• Education and Training: Develop and deliver comprehensive training programs for faculty, staff, and students in areas related to cultural competence, inclusion, openness, and pluralism.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Collect, analyze, and report data to inform decision-making, assess progress, and identify areas for improvement. Prepare reports for senior leadership, accrediting bodies, and other stakeholders as required.
• External Engagement: Represent the institution in local, regional, and national networks and organizations. Collaborate with external partners to leverage resources and stay informed about emerging trends and best practices.
• Committee and Task Force Participation: Serve on relevant committees and task forces related to the work of the office—providing expertise and leadership to guide decision-making processes.