Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
University, MS, US, 38677
Application Procedures
Interested applicants must apply through the Buffkin/Baker Portal here. Applications submitted through our careers page at this stage will not be considered.
Contact information:
Marin Baker
Position Description
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
The University of Mississippi invites applications and nominations for the appointment of Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. The university seeks a proven student affairs leader who can provide leadership and direction to the Division of Student Affairs in supporting the academic mission of the university. The Vice Chancellor serves as the chief spokesperson and advocate for the division both within and outside of the university, promotes student success and well-being, and ensures the division serves as a vital resource and component of the institution.
About the Division of Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs consists of 225 team members who support and mentor over 23,000 students. Students have opportunities to get involved in hundreds of different clubs, including fraternities and sororities, sport clubs, religious and spiritual organizations, service and philanthropic opportunities, student government, and the student media center. UM boasts an 87% retention rate from first year to second year students, and a graduation rate of 72%.
The division includes the following departmental units: Campus Recreation, Career Center, Counseling Center, William Magee Institute, William Magee Center for AOD and Wellness Education, Center for Student Success & First Year Experience, Heath Center, Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct, UMatter: Student Support and Advocacy, Confidential Advocacy Support and Education, Fraternity & Sorority Life, and Ole Miss Student Union.
In 2023, the division launched a five-year strategic plan with the identification of six strategic goals:
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Academic Excellence and Student Engagement
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Health and Well-being
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Strategic Communication
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Strategic Partnerships
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Organizational Effectiveness
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Divisional Excellence
OUR MISSION
The mission of Student Affairs is to facilitate a holistic, student-centered experience that nurtures the growth, dignity, development and talents of every student in preparation for a lifetime of learning, leadership and success.
OUR VISION
Student Affairs will be nationally recognized for its excellence and innovation in supporting the success of students, its leadership in the profession, and as a premier destination for student affairs professionals.
OUR VALUES
Community
We foster caring, inclusive and celebratory communities where all students, regardless of background, identity or experiences, feel welcomed, valued and supported. We cultivate a culture of campus collaboration and responsibility built on trust, respect and open communication, supporting the tenets of the UM Creed.
Respect
We promote respect by treating members of our community with dignity. We value the contributions and perspectives of others through our behaviors and sense of shared purpose.
Excellence
We champion ethics, excellence and innovation in our daily work. We deliver programs and services with pride and distinction that enhance the student experience and reputation of the University of Mississippi. We strive to be leaders in the field of student affairs through continuously expanding our knowledge through active professional engagement and scholarship.
Empowerment
We empower students to navigate, actively participate and problem solve within the university and their communities so they can advocate for themselves and have their voices heard.
Development
We commit to the holistic development, learning and well-being of students and Student Affairs staff by cultivating a supportive environment that fosters self-reflection, self-discovery and personal development.
About the Position
Reporting directly to the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs is responsible for maintaining a student-centered campus, developing and implementing policies and procedures consistent with best practices, and collaborating with campus colleagues to improve student retention and graduation rates. The Vice Chancellor also leads efforts to provide programs and services to enhance the overall student experience and to complement and support the academic mission of the University.
The University seeks a dynamic leader who has a doctoral degree from a regionally accredited university; a record of progressive and visionary leadership with at least five years of administrative experience in student affairs at a college or university; a demonstrated ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external constituents; skill in budget preparation and fiscal management; outstanding communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work in a team oriented environment; and a demonstrated record of integrity.
Appointment: 12 month
Applications should include, as separate documents, a resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile.
Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.
Application Process
The Search Committee invites nominations and applications for this appointment. Application materials should include a letter of interest, and a full resume/CV. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made, however preference will be given to applications received by May 9th, 2025. Please send materials, in confidence, to:
Mr. Martin M. Baker, Managing Partner
Ms. Chelsie Whitelock, Associate Partner
Buffkin / Baker
About the University
When it chartered the University of Mississippi (UM) on February 24, 1844, the Mississippi Legislature laid the foundation for public higher education in the state. UM welcomed its first students in 1848 and for 175 years has served as Mississippi’s flagship university, producing leaders in public service, business, academics and the professions. For 23 years, UM was Mississippi's only public institution of higher learning, and for 110 years, we were the state's only comprehensive university.
From our first class of 80 students, UM has grown to a doctoral degree-granting university with 15 academic divisions and more than 23,000 students, including more than 2,200 graduate students. Our main campus is acclaimed as one of the nation’s most beautiful, and our location, the City of Oxford, is recognized as one of the nation's best college towns.
As an institution holding the Carnegie R1 designation for a university with very high research activity, UM is at the forefront of groundbreaking research. UM has also earned the Carnegie Classification for community engagement, collaborating and engaging with a range of community partners. With more than 20 major research centers, we provide our undergraduate and graduate students with numerous research opportunities. Our success in research and innovation also makes us a driver of economic development in the state and region. Products developed right here on campus are making their way into the market.
The University of Mississippi offers more than 100 programs of study and life-changing academic experiences that provide our graduates with the background necessary for a lifetime of scholastic, social and professional growth. Our Oxford campus includes the College of Liberal Arts; the schools of Accountancy, Applied Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Journalism and New Media, Pharmacy, and Law; and the Graduate School. Our Medical Center, in Jackson, is the state's only academic health science center and trains professionals in seven health science schools: medicine, nursing, dentistry, health related professions, graduate studies, population health and pharmacy. UM continues to expand academic courses and degree offerings on our regional campuses in Southaven, Tupelo, Grenada, Booneville, and Pearl.
Academic excellence is the cornerstone of our educational mission, and we are home to exceptionally strong programs, including nationally recognized schools of accountancy, law and pharmacy. Our Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, acclaimed for a blend of academic rigor, experiential learning and opportunities for community action, is a vibrant and expansive program with enrollment topping 1,600 students. In 2021-2022 alone, Honors College students received six Fulbrights, three Goldwaters and two Truman awards.
About the University
At UM, we are making significant investments in research facilities and infrastructure to support faculty research. These investments pay dividends in supporting enhanced offerings for students who will have a competitive edge in the marketplace. Our major recent initiatives to support academic excellence include the Institute for the Arts, the Center for Practical Ethics, Chinese and Arabic Flagship Programs, and a new home for our Patterson School of Accountancy. The Jim and Thomas Duff Center for Science and Technology Innovation opened in November of 2024. The 202,000 square foot, $175 million state of the art facility is the largest construction project in the history of the university. The Duff Center is one of the nation’s premier environments for STEM education, and it enables our university to produce graduates who are more effective problem-solvers, team players, and innovators with technical skills that are essential for our future. It also helps address significant unmet needs in Mississippi and across the country for STEM professionals. External research funding for FY22 was over $106 million, with over $64 million of that number at the Oxford campus.
In fall 2022, the University of Mississippi launched its new strategic plan, Empower Now: Accelerating Discovery, Growth & Success. Empower Now represents our key institutional priorities and provides a unifying framework that emphasizes graduate education, innovative research, and economic development with a foundational commitment to excellence. We are a preeminent public international research university. We aspire to be drivers of innovation and opportunity in Mississippi, the United States and the world.
Background Check Statement
The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.
EEO Statement
The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.
The University of Mississippi is an EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Title VI/Title VII/Title IX/504/ADA/ADEA employer.
Nearest Major Market: Oxford Mississippi