Vice President and Dean of Students

Maryville College

Maryville College is a nationally ranked institution of higher education and one of America’s oldest colleges. For more than 200 years we have educated students to be giving citizens and gifted leaders, to study everything, so that they are prepared for anything to address any problem, engage with any audience and launch successful careers right away. Located in Maryville, Tennessee, between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the city of Knoxville, the College brings together nearly 1,200 students from around the world in both the beauty of a small-town setting and the advantages of an urban center, as well as more than 60 majors, seven pre-professional programs and career preparation from their first day on campus to their last. Today, our 10,000 alumni are living life strong of mind and brave of heart and are prepared, in the words of our founder, to do good on the largest possible scale.

The College has experienced over 15% growth in undergraduate student enrollment since 2020, as well as notable increases in major gifts and external partnerships. The first graduate program in the College’s modern history was introduced, as were new majors in Hospitality and Regional Identity and Environmental Science, and a minor in Fermentation Sciences. The innovative Maryville College Downtown Center will officially open in Fall 2024, symbolizing the College’s return to and current investment in Downtown Maryville. More than ever before, the institution is committed to connecting with its opportune location in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee and being of and for the region.

The Opportunity

Maryville College seeks a highly experienced student affairs educator to serve as the next Vice President and Dean of Students (VP/DOS). The VP/DOS serves as the architect and curator of a vibrant, enriching, and inclusive student living and learning community. As the College experiences a period of exciting momentum and advancement, the VP/DOS will provide vision and leadership, and embrace opportunities to strategically and continually enhance the overall student experience. The VP/DOS reports to the College President and serves as the chief student affairs officer (CSAO), responsible for overall leadership and management of the Division of Student Affairs (DOSA).

The VP/DOS is broadly responsible for College programs in the Center for Campus Ministry; Community Engagement; Disability Resources and Compliance (Title IX); Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Food Services; New Student Orientation; Prevention Education and Wellness; Residence Life; Student Conduct; Student Counseling; and Student Involvement and Leadership Development. Through all these programs, the VP/DOS will promote collaborative efforts across campus to ensure best practices for student success and retention.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Provide comprehensive and visionary leadership and management for the DOSA, and oversee a variety of functional areas, all of which support and enrich students’ experiences.

Build, develop, lead, and assess a diverse team of student-centered professionals in the DOSA who share in the vision of creating impactful and superior experiences for students.

Ensure the financial health and performance of the DOSA, working closely with the Vice President for Finance, Chief Operations Officer, Human Resources, and other colleagues to strategically plan, budget, and deploy resources.

Maintain a high degree of visibility in campus life, becoming recognized as a familiar, approachable, and accessible resource and advocate for students, as well as a resource to the larger college community, by seeking out and strengthening collaborative relationships with students, faculty, staff, and parents/families.

Serve as a leader in in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across campus, working with other relevant colleagues and departments.

Advise the President and President’s Cabinet on issues and trends regarding the student body and priorities/investments for enhancing the student experience, and ensure that students’ interests and perspective are considered and represented in major institutional decisions.

Provide steady, calm, and focused leadership on challenging issues and amidst student and campus crises.

Serve as a Senior Officer of the College, and a member of the President’s Cabinet, attending all applicable meetings, and liaise directly with the Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Directors.

Meet regularly with student leaders to substantively involve them in administrative decisions and institutional governance.

Hear appeals of student conduct decisions, and adjudicate major disciplinary cases when appropriate.

Positions reporting directly to the VP/DOS, within the current organizational structure:

Associate Dean of Students/Director of Residence Life

College Chaplain

Director of Community Engaged Scholars

Director of Disability Resources and Accessibility

Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Director of Student Counseling

Director of Student Involvement and Leadership Development

Director of Veteran and Military Services

Executive Assistant

Essential skills/qualities for the VP/DOS are:

Master’s degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, or a related field is required; a terminal degree is preferred.

Minimum of 6 to 8 years of professional experience in college/university student affairs is required, as well as strong organizational and managerial acumen, with a history of significant and effective organizational leadership, and knowledge of best practices and national trends/challenges facing the profession.

Prior success and senior-level experience in college/university student affairs, providing vision, leadership, and direction which enhance and support the quality of the overall student experience.

Other strongly desired skills/qualities for the VP/DOS are:

Demonstrated experience in effectively leading and managing a team of skilled professionals as well as working collaboratively as a member of the College’s senior leadership team.

A clear commitment to advancing the culture and context of an engaging and collaborative working environment, with prior success supporting the development and professional growth of colleagues.

A demonstrated commitment to shared governance, with experience engaging with and gaining the confidence of partners and stakeholders across an academic institution.

A serious commitment to the values and goals of Maryville’s private, residential, liberal arts education.

A strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), with a demonstrated and substantive record of this commitment.

An understanding of the potential partnership between student affairs professionals and faculty members and ability to earn their trust and respect, in furtherance of a shared commitment to student success.

Demonstrated knowledge of campus judicial processes, Title IX, and crisis management.

Effective communicator, both written and verbal, and high degree of comfort with frequent public speaking.

An active listener, learner, and collaborator with a consultative, collegial style and the ability to inspire trust in others.

Comfort with a high degree of public interaction across campus daily, as someone who fosters and embraces the energy and vitality of campus life.

Flexible, adaptable, and creative in approaches to work, envisioning new possibilities and structures, as resources and circumstances dictate.

To apply:

Nominations and applications should be uploaded to the College’s Human Resources portal, and a complete application should include:

A cover letter, setting forth one’s interest in the opportunity, and how your skills/experiences align with the position description;

A professional résumé or curriculum vitae (CV); and

Names, contact information, and an explanation of the relationship for four professional references.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For earliest and full consideration, complete applications should be submitted by June 14, 2024.

Non-Discrimination Statement:

Maryville College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As a learning community, our members include persons with a variety of interests, backgrounds, beliefs, and nationalities which enriches the experience for all. The College embraces diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive and safe environment free from harassment and discrimination. Maryville College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or political beliefs in the provision of educational opportunities, employment practices or benefits.