"VP for Continuing Education and Workforce Development"

VP for Continuing Education and Workforce Development

Company: Black Hills State University

Job Location: Rapid City

Category: Administrative Vice Presidents

Type: Full-Time

Institution: Black Hills State University

Posting Number: NFE02785P

Department: BHSU-Rapid City Campus

Physical Location of Position (City): Rapid City

Black Hills State University invites applications for the position of Vice President for Continuing Education and Workforce Development, BHSU Rapid City, with an anticipated start of Fall 2025. Nestled in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, BHSU seeks a transformational leader who is passionate about the mission of the university and is committed to fostering academic excellence, innovation, and student success. BHSU-Rapid City is an extended campus of the BHSU main campus in Spearfish, and is located near exit 61 in Rapid City.

Position Overview:

Reporting to the BHSU President, the Vice President for Continuing Education and Workforce Development provides visionary leadership and strategic direction for all operations at Black Hills State University - Rapid City (BHSU-RC) including academic program observations, administrative functions, student services, continuing education, workforce development, professional training, and community engagement. This position is responsible for expanding the university's reach through innovative, accessible, and responsive learning opportunities for adult learners, professionals, and underserved populations. The VP plays a key role in fostering partnerships with businesses, industries, government agencies, and community organizations to promote lifelong learning and regional economic development. This role requires a visionary who can foster a collaborative environment with university partners, drive strategic initiatives focusing on enrollment and student success, and ensure success and growth of BHSU-RC.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serving as a key member of the President's Administrative Team, provide weekly updates regarding BHSU-RC initiatives and operations while keeping the team appraised of continuing education and workforce development strategies for BHSU-RC
• Lead the planning, development, management, assessment, quality improvement, and implementation of all continuing education and outreach initiatives for BHSU-Rapid City.
• Collaborate with academic affairs, enrollment management, marketing, admissions, and student affairs leadership to develop, market, and sustain innovative credit and non-credit bearing programs to address regional workforce needs.
• Develop and maintain key partnerships and internal/external relationships with local and regional stakeholders (e.g.: business/industry partnerships, school districts, policy makers, regional universities, community colleges, Ellsworth Air Force Base, and the Board of Regents.)
• Work collaboratively with senior administrators to advance the university's strategic enrollment planning priorities, including recruitment, marketing, and outreach strategies for recruitment, retention, and re-enrollment.
• Continually identify and assess best practices regionally and nationally to ensure workforce development and continuing education programs achieve a competitive advantage.
• Manage budgets, personnel, marketing strategies, and operational processes to ensure programmatic growth, while ensuing funds, physical assets, and other property of BHSU-RC are appropriately safeguarded and administered.
• Review/analyze monthly fiscal reports, provide regular budget updates for the Advisory Council, and make recommendations for the BHSU-RC budget in cooperation with the BHSU VP for Finance & Administration and Director of Budget
• Secure external funding and revenue sources through grants, partnerships, and fee-for-service models, and collaborate with the Vice President for Advancement in fundraising where appropriate.
• Act as primary contact for student conduct, petitions, and appeals for BHSU-RC students in collaboration with the BHSU Dean of Students, and ensure compliance with accreditation standards, university policies, and state regulations.
• Work with campus department leads to provide BHSU-RC enrollment reports with detailed information on demographics, placement, program enrollment, time to completion, retention, and other relevant data necessary to make strategic decisions.
• Analyze course offerings and scheduling each semester to ensure students can complete their degrees in a timely manner and make recommendations to the Provost/Deans/Chairs for changes.
• Regularly review the organizational structure for BHSU-Rapid City to ensure effective and efficient operations.
• Supervise administrative staff to ensure duties and tasks are completed effectively and efficiently.
• Chair the Advisory Council for BHSU-RC which provides oversight and accountability for the Memorandum of Understanding between BHSU and SDSU.
• Work closely with BHSU and South Dakota State University (SDSU) administrations in strengthening academic partnerships at BHSU-Rapid City.
• Work directly with deans, department chairs, and other applicable supervisors regarding BHSU class scheduling, staffing, workload, and qualifications.
• Work with the BHSU Associate Vice President of Facilities & Sustainability to provide coordination of facility management including custodial, maintenance, grounds, security, and fleet needs.
• Collaborate with academic deans, faculty, and external partners to align programming with community needs and labor market demands.
• Provide leadership and quality assurance for programmatic accreditation, articulation agreements, and other programmatic areas
• Represent the university at conferences, public events, and in regional planning and development initiatives.
• Serve as the primary liaison to community colleges, K-12 schools, economic development agencies, tribal communities, and other regional partners.
• Monitor and assess delivery and quality of all student and academic service, including but not limited to career services, tutoring, advising, testing, library access, and ID card access/use to ensure student satisfaction, retention and success.
• Provide oversight and coordination with the SDSU Testing Center to ensure it is providing services for all students attending BHSU-RC regardless of home institution.
• Perform an annual review of all academic and student support services to document utilization of services, identify improvements, and advocate for change of services as needed. This information should be presented to the Advisory Council each year.
• Coordinate BHSU-Rapid City professional advising services with the BHSU student success center to ensure appropriate service levels are provided to BHSU-RC students.
• Administer a student satisfaction survey and student forum each year to ensure student feedback and input is part of the annual review process.
• Work with regional business partners to increase the number of internship opportunities available to BHSU students.
• Host community events at BHSU-RC, foster and promote collaboration and participation for BHSU employees at BHSU events, and participate in regional outreach activities.
• Participate in the scholarship committee and award process for BHSU-Rapid City students.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree required.
• Terminal degree preferred.
• 5 or more years of higher education experience.
• Proven record of successful leadership in higher education.
• Strong understanding of the current landscape of higher education, including trends in research, teaching, and learning.
• A strong record of developing new academic programs and partnerships to meet regional workforce needs.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to build strong, collaborative relationships.
• Experience managing budgets and leading strategic initiatives.
• Proven ability to develop and build strong, collaborative relationships across a wide range of constituencies, including faculty, staff, students, and community partners to advance the goals of the university.
• Experience with facilities planning, instructional technology, fundraising, grant-writing, and scholarship/research.
• A record of team building and leading through consensus to achieve institutional goals.
• Ability to organize, lead, and accomplish major, complex projects.

TO APPLY:

Candidates must submit their applications at https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu. Please attach a cover letter, curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts, and the names and contact information for five professional references. This position will remain open until filled with a first review date of July 23, 2025, at 11PM mountain time. The anticipated start for this position will be Fall 2025. For application assistance, please contact Human Resources at 605.642.6545. Questions specific to the position may be directed to John Allred, search chair, at john.allred@bhsu.edu.

Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by contacting Cassie Maser at 605-642-6545 or Cassie.Maser@bhsu.edu. Employment is dependent upon a satisfactory background check.

Open Until Filled: Yes

First Consideration Date: 07/23/2025

Advertised Salary: $150,000 depending on experience and qualifications

Duration of the Term: 12 months

Appointment Type: Regular

This position requires: Travel, Overnight stays, Weekends/Holidays, Valid Drivers License