Job Abstract

Reporting directly to President Adam Weinberg, the Vice President for Student Life (Vice President)
is a strategic thought leader, dynamic collaborator, and engaged member of the president’s senior
staff. Denison’s leadership team works across divisions to support the student experience.

The Vice President works collaboratively with colleagues and leads a team of 70-plus student life
professionals, aiming to create a well-rounded campus experience that supports the holistic
development of Denison students. Essential to this work is the ability to lead the division, forge
constructive partnerships with faculty and staff across the college, and champion the interests of the student population.

The Vice President supports the Board of Trustees Student Life Committee and is an integral part of
Denison’s governance system, serving as a key member of the Campus Affairs Council and University Council.

The Vice President is central to campus life and is provided with a house in the Village of Granville,
which is just a short walk to campus and near local amenities such as coffee shops and restaurants.

The annual budget for Student Life totals approximately $10 million, including endowed support funds. This financial oversight sustains the division’s diverse initiatives and ensures the continued
enhancement of student life at Denison. The new Vice President will lead a well-funded, talented, and highly motivated team that has created much momentum and forward direction in recent years.

Denison fosters a campus community that recognizes the value of all persons. Denison’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is further outlined in Denison Forward, including an action plan focused on its people, practices, and possibilities.

As a visionary leader with an expert understanding of student affairs
and engagement, the next Vice President and their high-functioning
team will collaborate closely with the Denison community to focus
on the following key responsibilities:

EXECUTION OF THE STUDENT LIFE STRATEGIC PLAN
The current plan is focused on transforming the student experience
and outlines five goals:

Goal 1: Illuminate pathways for students to navigate life on The Hill
& beyond.

Goal 2: Foster a sense of belonging and inclusion, advancing the
college’s commitment to DEI.

Goal 3: Empower students to develop the habits and skills to
manage their well-being.

Goal 4: Build connections and community.

Goal 5: Creating a divisional professional culture of innovation and
excellence.

Strategies for execution will include:

• Using a data-driven approach to guide the development of
forward-thinking strategies tailored to meet the evolving needs
of students. The Vice President will leverage community insights
to identify initiatives that anticipate student needs and adapt to
the ever-changing landscape of higher education.

• Recognizing national best practices and championing innovative
programs to welcome and create community for first-year
students.

• Advocating, creating, and amplifying activities that foster a
welcoming and inclusive environment, ensuring that every
student, regardless of their background, is an integral part of the
Denison community.

• Leveraging and enhancing resources to ensure that the wellbeing
of students is not just supported but prioritized,
demonstrating an unwavering commitment to student health
and well-being.

LEADERSHIP & STRATEGY

The Vice President will be dedicated to setting the strategic
direction for the Division of Student Life with care and
professionalism, characterized by collaboration, communication,
and active campus engagement. This will be accomplished
through:

• Mentoring and supporting the Student Life team while
advancing a contemporary model for the division that draws
from national best practices.

• Recruiting, retaining, developing, and inspiring a talented team
dedicated to the mission of the division and the college.

• Advocating for change in policies and procedures, as
appropriate, while strengthening collegial relationships with
faculty.

• Serving as a trusted advisor to the president and Senior Staff
related to all Student Life issues, opportunities, and successes.

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT & PROGRAMS

A significant focus for the next Vice President will be to
understand and enhance the residential and social life of students.
The Vice President will lead efforts to continuously enhance the
quality of life for students on campus, striking the right balance of
programming and support for social activities through:

• Enhancing opportunities for students to engage in enjoyable
and vibrant social experiences that cultivate friendship, ensure
safety, and encourage responsibility.

• Actively encouraging and supporting student-driven initiatives
and activities within the community that foster a sense of
ownership and engagement in Granville

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & RELATIONSHIP
BUILDING

The Vice President is a highly collaborative and visible campus
leader. It is important that strong partnerships are forged to
foster a culture of cooperation, transparency, and respect among
faculty, staff, and students with a focus on:

• Actively partnering with senior leadership and faculty to
integrate student life across academics, athletics, and other
areas on campus.

• Building strong communication pathways and trust to ensure
understanding of the college’s needs and concerns while
promoting best practices in student support.

• Fostering open dialogue with faculty to enrich the holistic
student experience.

• Developing partnerships and relationships both internally and
externally to advance strategic initiatives.

An advanced degree in higher education administration or
related field from an accredited institution with preference
for candidates holding a terminal degree.

A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership
experience in a higher education setting with experience in
student life and related areas.

An understanding of and appreciation for a selective liberal
arts residential environment.

A demonstrated commitment to fostering DEI principles and
promoting student engagement.

Direct experience, supported by Denison’s general counsel, in
managing campus crises, as well as familiarity with student
conduct policies, Title IX regulations, FERPA, and additional
regulatory requirements.

INSPIRATIONAL & APPROACHABLE LEADER
• Consistently demonstrate sound judgment and integrity.
• Engage and inspire others to embrace a holistic student
experience.
• Apply visionary and strategic thinking to advance student life,
learning, and development.
• Maintain a warm and accessible presence fostering strong
connections with students, team members, faculty, and staff.
• Serve as a mentor and guide to students.
• Lead with a charismatic blend of energy, fun, and good humor.
COMMUNICATIVE & ENGAGED COLLABORATOR
• Forge strong alliances with campus constituencies, aligning
objectives across divisions.
• Promote open, honest dialogue within a cooperative
framework.

ADAPTABLE & AGILE FACILITATOR
• Be an active listener who can identify challenges and possible
solutions.
• Manage crises with diplomacy, composure, and sound
judgment.
• Build consensus with diverse stakeholder audiences.

STUDENT-CENTRIC CHAMPION
• Dedicate unwavering commitment to student well-being.
• Develop and execute strategies to support student retention.
• Embody a profound sense of authenticity, approachability, and
investment in student success.

COMPETENT & CONTEMPORARY ADMINISTRATOR
• Partner with academic and administrative staff to implement
innovative initiatives.
• Implement large-scale initiatives supported by data-driven
assessments.
• Steward financial resources astutely while being mindful of
overall institutional objectives.

Office environment which may include: sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, pushing, and pulling. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Applications must be submitted via the instructions below:

BeecherHill is retained by and pleased to partner with Denison University, and the appointed search committee, in their search for the next Vice President for Student Life.

We welcome applications, recommendations of outstanding prospects, and confidential inquiries,
with preferred contact details, to be directed to our firm at: DenisonVPSL@beecherhillsearch.com

Applications should include a cover letter with expression of interest and current resume/curriculum vitae (CV).

The review of candidate applications will be ongoing until the position is successfully filled; however, we strongly encourage the submission of application materials by April 5, 2024, to ensure timely consideration.

Finalist campus visits will take place in May, with an anticipated start date to commence in summer 2024.

More information and updates can be found on Denison’s website.

The final candidate will undergo a background check as a conditional offer of employment.

To achieve our mission as a liberal arts college, we continually strive to attract and hire candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences and identities. Denison fosters a campus community that recognizes the value of all

persons regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender expression and identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background. For additional information and resources about diversity at Denison, please see our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and antiracism (IDEA) at Denison Forward.

If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (740)587-6299 or by email at HR@denison.edu.