Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

The Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs provides senior leadership for the College's instructional programs and student services, guiding their collaboration and integration through holistic approaches to student success grounded in academic excellence and continuous improvement. Reporting to the College President and serving on the President's Cabinet, the Executive Vice President is responsible for the College's instructional programs, academic support resources, student affairs and student engagement in alignment with the College's mission, community needs, and commitment to equitable outcomes and institutional excellence.

The Executive Vice President leads the development and continuous improvement of innovative, high-impact academic programs and comprehensive student support services grounded in evidence-based and culturally responsive practices. Through collaboration with faculty, administrators, and staff, the role ensures cohesive pathways that promote enrollment, persistence, completion, and post-completion success.

The Executive Vice President oversees academic quality, curriculum integrity, assessment, enrollment strategy, and student services operations. A key priority of the position is to uphold accreditation standards related to the academic environment and related student learning outcomes. The position champions equity, inclusion, and belonging; develops leadership capacity across the division; ensures responsible stewardship of resources; and represents the College in strategic partnerships that advance student success and community impact.

Reporting Structure/Supervisory Relationship

The Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs reports to the President.

The position provides direct leadership and supervision to the Dean for Health Professions and STEM; Dean for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; Dean for Enrollment Management; Associate Dean for Workforce Education; Associate Dean for Student Services; Learning Center Director; Library Director; Director for Residence Life; Grants Director; Curriculum and Scheduling Manager; and two Administrative Assistants.

To view the Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs page on our WCC website and to apply please visit us at whatcom.edu/EVP_Search

Essential Functions:

Academic and Student Affairs Leadership

• Fosters open communication among administration, faculty, staff, and students related to instruction and student services, and leads a college culture focused on improving student enrollment, retention, equity, completion, and learning outcomes.
• Demonstrates a commitment to shared governance through WCC's governance structure in planning, communication and managing change, and represents the executive leadership to faculty, instructional and student services leadership, and their respective departments.
• Leads and supports the development and implementation of evidence-based, culturally responsive approaches to teaching, learning, and student support services.
• Advances innovative, high-quality instructional offerings and student services responsive to the needs of students and the broader community.
• Ensures instructional programs and student services are regularly assessed, evaluated, and improved.
• Champions student-centered decision-making that recognizes diverse cultures, identities, and prior educational experiences.
• Leads curriculum, pedagogy, and academic program development to advance equitable achievement of learning and educational outcomes.
• Recommends, develops, and implements instructional and student services policies, procedures, and practices that promote equitable access, opportunity, and success for all students, and ensures their effective implementation through the leadership of Deans, Associate Deans, and other department leads.

Strategic Planning and Institutional Leadership

• Represents the priorities of Academic and Student Affairs as a member of the President's Cabinet and participates in college-wide strategic planning and decision-making.
• Provides leadership to and serves as an active and engaged member of Instructional Council.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to building and sustaining healthy labor-management relationships in a collective bargaining environment.
• Collaborates with faculty, instructional administrators, and student services leaders to develop class schedules, enrollment strategies, and service delivery models aligned with student needs, institutional priorities, and available resources.
• Provides oversight for the development, implementation, and management of grants and contracts that support instruction and student success.
• Oversees service reviews, outcomes assessment, and continuous improvement processes to ensure alignment with Board policies, accreditation requirements, and institutional standards.

Student Services and Enrollment Oversight

• Supports and supervises the Dean of Enrollment Services and Associate Dean for Student Services in providing strategic leadership and operational oversight to enrollment management and student affairs programs including Enrollment Services, Outreach, Advising and Career Services, Access and Disability Services, Financial Aid, Dual Credit Programs, Residence Life, Student Life and Development (student government, clubs, and organizations), Veterans Services, Orca Central (welcome center/one-stop) and student-focused grant programs (e.g., TRiO).
• Provides executive leadership and direction for the implementation of Strategic Enrollment Management and Guided Pathways initiatives to advance student equity, persistence, and completion.
• Serves as the primary Judicial Review Officer for the Student Code of Conduct; adjudicates student appeals and grievances as needed.
• Collaborates with Campus Safety and Security, Human Resources, and the Assessment and Care Team to support student safety and ensure compliance with Title IX and Clery Act requirements.

People, Resources and External Engagement

• Ensures and supports an effective and capable administrative team through culturally responsive supervision, training, development, and evaluation.
• Collaborates with Deans, Directors, Department Chairs and faculty and staff to identify, prioritize, and align resource needs within the college's budget development process.
• Participates in labor relations activities by collaborating with employee unions and shared governance groups, supporting contract negotiations and administration, applying and interpreting labor agreements, policies, and procedures, and ensuring implementation aligned with the college's operational, instructional, and student service priorities.
• Leverages student success technologies to design and advance data informed strategies that strengthen student access, retention, completion, and equitable outcomes to support student success.
• Develops, fosters, and promotes educational partnerships with public and private sector entities to enhance instructional relevance, workforce alignment, and community impact.
• Engages internal and external stakeholders to support student learning, workforce development, and community needs, supports college activities and special events through attendance and participation; leads and/or serves on college committees and community boards as appropriate.
• Represents the College at state, regional, and national organizations, including the Instruction Commission (IC) and the Student Services Commission (WSSSC).
• Assists grant development efforts by supporting the identification, pursuit, implementation, and management of grants that enhance instruction and student success.
• Actively contributes to a work and learning environment that treats everyone with respect and dignity, while engaging diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences to enhance the College's mission, vision, and promise.
• Performs other related work of a similar nature and level.

Lead Work/Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and supervision of the Office of Academic and Student Affairs including hiring, staff development, performance management, workload oversight, and corrective action as needed.
• Manages the Office of Academic and Student Affairs budgets and operational resources, ensuring support for instruction, student services, assessment, and research activities in alignment with college-wide planning and grant requirements.

Working Conditions/Environment

• Work is performed primarily in an office setting with extensive time spent at a computer workstation and/or in pertinent meetings, either sitting or standing. Works in an environment with frequent interruptions. Some travel to professional meetings required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in an academic field relevant to the position's responsibilities.
• Eight to ten years of progressive leadership experience with success in communicating and collaborating with diverse stakeholders (e.g., faculty, staff, students, administrators, and external partners) to achieve defined outcomes.
• At least five years of experience in higher education demonstrating a record of collaborative leadership with formal responsibility across multiple functional areas.
• At least three years of experience supporting institution-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives through instructional leadership, policy alignment, and collaborative efforts that contributed to measurable improvements in access, equity, or an inclusive campus environment.
• At least three years of experience in budget planning and management, including development, oversight, and allocation of financial and/or human resources, with responsibility for monitoring expenditures and aligning resources with strategic priorities.
• Student affairs experience, including leadership roles that support student well-being and success.
• Instructional/teaching experience in higher education.
• OR
• Equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient for the person to perform the duties.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A doctorate degree.
• Additional academic preparation in related fields such as leadership, organizational development, community college administration, higher education, or other disciplines that enhance the ability to succeed in this role.
• Familiarity with accreditation standards and processes, including participation in self-study preparation, reporting or site visits.
• Experience with curriculum development, assessment, and program review, including alignment with institutional learning outcomes and accreditation expectations.
• Demonstrated record of continuous quality improvement, including effective use of data for decision making, and the development of metrics for evaluating initiatives.
• Experience in developing partnerships with K-12 systems, institutions offering baccalaureate degrees, and business/industry partners.
• Experience with enrollment management strategies including student recruitment, retention, and completion initiatives.
• Experience with labor relations including collaboration with employee unions or shared governance duties, participation in contract administration or negotiations and application of labor agreements, policies, and procedures.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Licensure, Certification and Other Necessary Requirements:

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check and sexual misconduct review.
• Occasional travel to meetings, conferences and training sessions may be required.

Salary:

• This is a 12-month, full-time, non-represented position with an annual salary based upon a range of $182,000.00-$192,000.00 depending on experience.

Benefits:

• Benefits include comprehensive health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance;
• Participation in a Washington State retirement plan;
• Paid sick leave and vacation leave;
• Eleven paid holidays annually.

Additionally, as a Washington State, public higher education institution, WCC offers the following:

• Whatcom Community College is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). If you work for the College full time, have had Direct Loans and are on an eligible repayment plan, you are eligible to apply.
• Full-time employees are eligible to apply and participate in the Whatcom Community College Employee Tuition Program, which provides a tuition waiver for available and eligible WCC courses.
• Full-time employees may qualify for Washington State Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) benefit.

Start Date:

• Summer 2026.

Application Due Date:

• For guaranteed consideration, application packets should be received by Monday, April 6th, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Position open until filled.

How To Apply

A completed application consists of an online application and:

• Cover letter detailing relevant experience and how the applicant is prepared to meet the duties of the position.
• Current resume.
• Values statement that responds to the following prompt:

Short Reflection (1 page max): One of the core values of this institution is building an inclusive and supportive campus. This core value is reflected in our strategic plan, goals and in the work that we do every day. Please describe your experience in building an inclusive environment that supports a sense of belonging.

• Unofficial Transcripts for all earned degrees; official transcripts required prior to the official start date.
• List of 5 professional references with contact information.