Texas Christian University (TCU), a distinguished teaching and research university, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. TCU has recently been identified as a Top 20 “Up-and-Coming National University” and a Top 100 “Best College” by U.S. News and World Report.
TCU’s vision is to be a world class, values centered university. Founded in 1873, TCU enjoys a long history of commitment to student success, personalized teaching, collaborative research, and a wide range of internships and study-abroad opportunities designed to ensure that students are prepared for their role as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in a global community. TCU enrolls over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and offers 118 undergraduate majors and 56 master’s level programs, including 21 doctoral fields of study.
TCU is located in a residential neighborhood five miles from the heart of downtown Fort Worth, Texas, a city recognized for its rich western heritage and world-class arts amenities — as a city of “cowboys and culture.” It is the 17th largest city in the United States, with diverse populations and cultures, yet it has retained a small-town sensibility. Fort Worth boasts a world-class museum district, a renowned performance hall, a top-ranked zoo, the Historic Stockyards District, and a vibrant downtown that is nationally recognized as a model of urban rebirth.
In concert with the mission of the University, the Division of Student Affairs at TCU fosters a learning environment where students have the freedom to explore their own potential as they develop responsible decision-making, leadership and communication skills, and participate in multiple opportunities to gain respect for differing cultures and ideas. The new Vice Chancellor has an important and exciting opportunity to create a vision for the future that maximizes the potential of Student Affairs to develop strong partnerships with Academic Affairs and the surrounding community in support of co-curricular programs and activities that focus on student success.
The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs reports to the Chancellor and has responsibility for Housing and Residential Life, Campus Police, Office of Campus Life, Student Development Services, Brown-Lupton University Union, Religious and Spiritual Life, Campus Recreation, Career Center, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Health and Counseling Center, Inclusiveness and Intercultural Services, International Student Services, Community Involvement and Service Learning, Student Affairs Quality Assurance, and Student Affairs Marketing. The current Vice Chancellor oversees 107 exempt and 132 non-exempt staff (including residential housekeeping and campus police) and is responsible for an overall division budget of approximately $20 million. The Vice Chancellor also engages in coordinating communication between campus constituencies and departments and works cooperatively with the University’s senior leadership team to ensure successful achievement of institutional and divisional goals.
The principle mission of the Vice Chancellor will be to continue to build a distinctive Student Affairs Division consistent with TCU’s vision and values. The successful candidate will be an innovative, resourceful, high-energy professional who is an exceptional communicator and listener, an effective agent of organizational change, and a team builder. The position requires a high amount of visibility on campus, at campus events, and with student-leaders. The Vice Chancellor must be a student-centered professional who demonstrates a high level of knowledge about the issues that confront a private residential university, an up-to-date understanding of and the ability to clearly communicate the importance and effectiveness of student development theory, and a record of success in enhancing the quality of student learning and development outcomes.
Additional qualifications include:
• the ability to assess, understand and be a key advocate for a healthy campus climate
• a commitment to contribute to the University’s ongoing effort to promote a supportive learning community
• a commitment to supporting and understanding multicultural perspectives
• competence with the use of research and assessment tools to monitor progress in meeting goals
• a demonstrated record of success in managing conflict
• the ability to develop and maintain productive community, alumni, and campus partnerships
• the proven ability to collaborate, both effectively and with enthusiasm
• strong strategic planning skills
The successful candidate will possess a minimum of seven years of increasing responsibility and leadership experience in Student Affairs at the level of Director or above at one or more comparable institutions. The successful candidate will also be a person who is pro-active in responding to student concerns, who will lead a dedicated and engaged staff, who is proficient in the area of professional development, and who is an experienced educator familiar with and effective in applying best practices in the areas of student affairs. A doctoral degree is required.
Interested individuals should send a letter describing their interest in and qualifications for the position, a resume, and contact information including mailing and email addresses for five references. The packet should be sent electronically (Microsoft Word attachments preferred) to leadership {at} wspelman(.)com. The subject line in email should be VCSATCU. Confidential inquiries will be received at 585.366.4329.
Documents that must be mailed should be sent to William Spelman Executive Search at 667 Midship Circle, Webster, NY 14580. Confidentiality will be maintained, and references will not be contacted without prior knowledge or approval of the candidate. For full consideration, all materials must be submitted by January 28, 2011. The process will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
TCU’s mission is to educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community.
Texas Christian University does not discriminate regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
