"Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs"

Job Details

Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Assistant Vice President (AVP) helps to lead the Division of Student Affairs in efforts to help students maximize the roughly 153 hours that students spend outside of the classroom each week. In doing this, the AVP will provide leadership and support for the Student Health Center, University Recreation (UREC), and Disability Services, in addition to serving as the divisional lead for divisional assessment related efforts. The AVP is a key member of the Student Affairs central leadership team that includes the Vice President for Student Affairs, Associate Vice President & Dean of Students, and the Chief of Staff.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THIS POSITION

• Provides leadership and support for the LSU Student Health Center, Disability Services, and University Recreation.
• Serves as divisional lead in assessment efforts related to understanding the impact of divisional programs and services on student success and how to maintain a culture of continuous improvement.
• Serves as a point person for divisional and cross divisional initiatives in support of institutional objectives.
• Grow and foster partnerships across the university that are crucial to helping the Division of Student Affairs execute mission critical work.
• Serves as a key member of the Student Affairs leadership team.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP

Leading with Impact Through Data and Relationships: While the Vice President for Student Affairs serves as the division’s chief storyteller, the Assistant Vice President will play a critical role in shaping that narrative by partnering with department heads on assessment efforts, supporting data acquisition, and fostering relationships with key stakeholders. Through these collaborations, the AVP will lead initiatives to collect and analyze data that demonstrate the Division’s impact on the campus community.

Driving Continuous Improvement and Excellence: Each year, the Division of Student Affairs strives to enhance its work by building on past successes to achieve even greater impact. This commitment to excellence demands a data-informed approach rooted in honest, comprehensive assessment of our programs, services, events, and experiences. The Assistant Vice President will play a pivotal role in designing and implementing a framework for continuous improvement, including external review processes to ensure quality, relevance, efficiency, and alignment with both divisional and institutional goals.

Integrating Wellbeing into the Student Success Narrative:While student success is often measured by retention and graduation rates, we also have a critical opportunity to help students build lifelong habits that support their health and wellbeing. These efforts enhance the LSU experience and contribute to long-term success beyond college. The Assistant Vice President will play a key role in ensuring wellbeing remains present in our student success strategies.

OUR INVESTMENT IN THE AVP’S SUCCESS

In the Division of Student Affairs, we ask our staff to be All In—for our students, for the university, and for one another. At the same time, we recognize that the relationship between the institution and its employees should be mutually beneficial. To this end, our commitment to the AVP includes:

Commitment to Continuous Growth: Grounded in the belief that learning and growth are lifelong pursuits, the Division of Student Affairs is dedicated to supporting the ongoing development of its leaders. In addition to a range of internal and external professional development opportunities, the AVP will receive a 6-month one-on-one executive coaching experience to support a smooth and successful transition into the role and to further enhance their skills.

Strategy Leadership Development:The Division of Student Affairs operates with a lean leadership team, which creates a unique opportunity for the AVP to serve as a strategic thought partner. In this role, the AVP will help shape and lead initiatives and impact decisions that foster the conditions and environments most conducive to every LSU student’s success.

Intentional Career Planning: The AVP will collaborate closely with the Vice President for Student Affairs to design a personalized professional development plan. This plan will not only position the AVP for success at LSU but also support their short and long-term career aspirations.

ATTRIBUTES OF THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

Is a collegial team-player who is an energy-giver to the spaces they occupy, actively builds authentic and mutually beneficial relationships, can influence others without positional authority. A professional who also puts institutional priorities before their own interests, and who is unconcerned with receiving credit for accomplishing institutional objectives.

Is a skilled administrator with a high degree of self-awareness who has a history of effective leadership and management that includes the professional development of staff, the ability to articulate clear expectations and provide timely feedback, and the willingness to redirect behaviors, practices, or attitudes that are misaligned with institutional or divisional objectives, or that are inconsistent with the maintenance of an enriching work environment.

Has a demonstrated history of cross-institutional, holistic approaches to solving challenging problems and believes in and embraces the notion that progress over perfection helps an organization achieve its goals. Is committed to “getting things done” and moves fast enough to make meaningful forward progress, yet slow enough to ensure things are done right and with a high degree of quality. Embraces the fact that no day is the same and thrives on the ability to switch gears in their work.

Maintains a strong appreciation for the educational and social value of a broad-based community and a demonstrated commitment to accessible and welcoming programs, services, events, and experiences. Is guided by a solid philosophical and ethical foundation, respecting tradition while thoughtfully considering practices most relevant to LSU students in the present moment, recognizing that needs and perspectives may evolve over time.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Administration (40%): Provides strategic leadership and oversight for the LSU Student Health Center (Medical, Mental Health, Wellness, Operations), Disability Services, and University Recreation and their 120+ full-time staff members. Executes key Student Affairs initiatives and serves as a primary representative for divisional and cross divisional initiatives in support of institutional objectives. Demonstrates divisional attitudes and priorities in all aspects of work.

External Relations (30%): Maintains active and strong cross-campus relationships with faculty and staff in support of student affairs and student wellbeing to advance collaborations. Serves as a primary representative for internal and external stakeholders. Sets the expectations for how the departments supervised engages with departments across campus. Responsible for setting and leveraging external relations in order to advance the goals of the division.

Assessment & Continuous Improvement (10%): Leads the use of data to assess the quality of programs and services, ensures efficient use of institutional resources, and facilitates divisional continuous improvement efforts. Facilitates divisional assessment efforts including SACSCOC accreditation, research efforts, and data management. Uses data to assess the quality of programs and services and ensures efficient use of institutional resources.

Quality Control (10%): Is accountable for ensuring reporting departments outputs including human resource decisions, administrative tasks, programs/services/events/experiences, and all communication exudes a high degree of quality. Sets and evaluates quality expectations for the department. Embraces and executes the marginal gains approach and seeks to increase level of all services, events, programs, and experiences in department for continuous improvement every academic year.

Other Duties as Assigned (10%): Other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Student Affairs. This includes but is not limited to: efforts that support broad division/institution efforts including at least 40 hours per year spent helping divisional initiatives such as Move-In Day, Welcome Week, Family Weekend, Career Expo, Disability Services Finals Testing, other special projects etc.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education and 8 years of experience.
• Progressive experience in higher education, including at least seven years of significant supervisory experience.
• LSU values skills, experience, and expertise. Candidates who have relevant experience in key job responsibilities are encouraged to apply— a degree is not required as long as the candidate meets the required years of experience specified in the job description.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Five or more years’ management experience at or above the director/department head level.
• Demonstrated experience working on cross-institutional teams to solve problems.
• User experience (UX), design-thinking, or other program/organizational development expertise.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS/EXPECTATIONS

As with all LSU employees, due to this position title and/or responsibilities, this position has an obligation to assist students in the acquisition of necessary services. Should a student appear in need of or seek assistance with issues of an emotional, behavioral, or mental health related matter they should be referred to the proper service within the Student Health Center. In situations where the student creates an impression that they are a danger to themselves or others, the advisor should immediately contact the Care Team, the Dean of Students or the appropriate law enforcement agency. The employee outside of those rights contained within FERPA should create no impression of client or patient confidentiality.

NOMINATIONS, APPLICATIONS, AND INQUIRIES

Applications will be accepted online on the LSU Careers website. Please direct all nominations and inquiries for the position to Emily Hester at ehester@lsu.edu or 225-578-7441. The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. However, to ensure the fullest consideration, candidates are encouraged to have complete applications submitted by March 2, 2026. Requested application materials include a letter of interest or cover letter; resume or curriculum vitae; and at least five professional references including the name, telephone number, e-mail address, and relationship. All applications, nominations, and inquiries will remain confidential. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications. An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.