Inviting Applications and Nominations for the Vice President For Institutional Advancement Search
St. Joseph s College, New York The Search for a Vice President for Institutional Advancement St. Joseph s College (SJC), New York seeks a proven, innovative advancement leader to implement its ambitious goals for strengthening the culture of philanthropy, and positioning its alumni engagement and development programs for a successful comprehensive campaign in the future. The Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA) will find the new president, Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D. is an active partner in outreach and fundraising, and that the Board of Trustees is fully committed to the central role Institutional Advancement (IA) will play in achieving its vision for SJC s future. St. Joseph s College provides a diverse population of more than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students across three distinct campuses SJC Brooklyn, SJC Long Island and SJC Online with a strong academic and value-oriented education rooted in the liberal arts tradition. Following a year-long centennial celebration, SJC today honors the past; celebrates its present success at preparing students for a life marked by integrity, intellectual and spiritual values, social responsibility and service; and envisions a bright future. As SJC embarks on its second century, the SJC community has focused its strategic goals on the future. Strengthening the IA program is prominent among these strategic priorities and is vital to unlocking the resources necessary for the achievement of academic goals. The College community s conversations surrounding its 100th anniversary and the welcoming of a new President have increased engagement and will lay the groundwork for the high expectations set for the IA program and its new leader. The VPIA, who reports to the President and is a Cabinet member, will lead approximately 17 IA staff members involved in a comprehensive alumni engagement and development program. S/he serves as the President s partner in philanthropic outreach and is the chief major gift fundraiser. The VPIA will also advise the trustees and involve the entire College family in articulating SJC s need for private investment and the impact of philanthropic support for students, faculty, the College and the New York metropolitan area. St. Joseph s Values Integrity Spiritual Values Intellect Social Responsibility Service sjcny.edu 2
Overview of SJC Programs and Campuses SJC began in 1916 as a women s college established by the Sisters of St. Joseph, serving 12 students in one building. One hundred and one years later, the College has more than 36,000 alumni and graduates, more than 5,000 students, three campuses, baccalaureate degrees in 49 majors and high-quality, high-demand graduate offerings for traditional students and working adults. It offers almost a dozen unique dual-degree programs, which allow students to earn bachelor s and master s degrees in condensed periods of time at affordable rates. With a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, SJC faculty are mentors, valued advisers and leaders in their own fields, who bring today s issues and future trends into the classroom. Outside the classroom, SJC facilitates internship opportunities in government offices and top companies, as well as provides study abroad programs and enriching service projects across the globe. The SJC community welcomes students of all backgrounds and ages, including international students and students with military experience. SJC has two physical campuses, in Brooklyn and Long Island, as well as a third campus online. SJC Brooklyn is located across three blocks in the picturesque and historic Clinton Hill neighborhood. The campus has nine buildings, including The Hill Center with NCAA-regulation basketball and volleyball courts, and an outdoor theatre. Located in Patchogue, New York, SJC Long Island is situated on a 32-acre lakeside property on the South Shore of eastern Long Island. Campus facilities include six buildings and the stateof-the-art 24.8-acre Outdoor Field Complex, located about one mile east of the main campus. The degree programs offered through SJC Online are extensive. Programs include business, criminal justice, general studies, health administration, human services and others. The breadth of programs allows both recent high school graduates and adult learners to pursue continuous educational and professional advancement in a global society. SJC Brooklyn and SJC Long Island offer strong programs for student athletes, who earn high marks in the classroom and high accolades on the field and court. Brooklyn sponsors 14 intercollegiate athletic teams and Long Island sponsors 20. Teams from both campuses have competed in national championship tournaments. Athletics contribute to the student experience and the culture of each campus. SJC recognizes the importance of staying engaged with current and prospective students, alumni and the general College community through the use of social media. Today, SJC has a presence on eight social media platforms, and has seen a dramatic increase in followers on popular sites, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Currently, the College has more than 36,000 followers on social media. SJC FAST FACTS TUITION $25,930 as compared to the national average of $33,480* CAMPUSES SJC Enrollment: more than 5,000 Full-Time Faculty: 166 Part-Time Faculty: 400 Brooklyn Long Island Online Enrollment Undergraduate: 929 Graduate: 247 Percentage of minority students: 63% Percentage of undergraduate students who receive financial aid: 86% Enrollment Undergraduate: 3,059 Graduate: 907 Percentage of minority students: 21% Percentage of undergraduate students who receive financial aid: 85% Enrollment Undergraduate: 180 Graduate: 165 SJC Online saw a 240% increase in undergraduate enrollment over the last five years. In the past year, SJC Online s graduate enrollment increased by 100 students. All figures are as of 2017 *College Board s 2016-17 Trends in Higher Education sjcny.edu 3
Budget, Endowment and Fundraising In 2016-17, SJC had an operating budget just over $110 million and expended $29.4 million on scholarships and student aid to offset its tuition of $25,124. Approximately 90% of its operational budget revenues are derived from tuition and fees. The remaining revenue comes from government grants, user fees, investment income, private gifts and net assets released from endowment. The endowment is $30 million, with just over half of it in restricted funds. The Board of Trustees releases 5% of a 3-year average of market value from the endowment for scholarships annually. Institutional Advancement currently raises approximately $3 million in private gifts annually. Office of Institutional Advancement (IA) St. Joseph s College has ambitious strategic goals for philanthropy. The College intends to build upon a strong operations and information infrastructure, deeply committed and collaborative alumni engagement and development professionals, an inspiring story of SJC s founding and its continuing impact on generations of students and the community. With a new IA organizational structure and an emphasis on strengthening major gifts, planned giving and corporate and foundation giving, SJC is positioned to grow endowment and fundraising results. The annual giving program has experienced significant success. This includes increasing gifts in new giving categories and raising the alumni participation rate from 3% to 6% over a four-year period. It is expected that ongoing efforts to increase the participation rate will be successful. The alumni engagement staff develop programming for two campuses with very different histories, cultures and student populations. The alumnae of the former women s college at SJC Brooklyn have a unique history and are the institution s historic donors. Recent alumni of both campuses reflect the New York metropolitan area s diversity and are often first-generation students. To alumni engagement staff s credit, new outreach strategies and events are being tested to find the best approach for each campus and each generation. More than 10 Alumni Association committees help members focus their passions and devote their work for the College in an area that best reflects their interests. A mentorship program and lifetime career services also build alumni connections to students and the College. The solid infrastructure created by the IA staff and its receptiveness to an aligned, donor-centered advancement approach will be an enormous asset to the next VPIA. Also supporting the success of the VPIA will be collaboration with the Vice President for Marketing and Communications to strengthen the brand and image of the College and to increase its visibility and support in New York and beyond. The VPIA position at SJC is an opportunity for a builder who understands how to forge authentic partnerships with prospective donors and help them to shape their investments in the College. SJC s commitment to grow its partnerships throughout the Northeast region should be an attraction for an entrepreneurial advancement leader who knows or would thrive in the exciting greater New York metro environment. Accolades For more than 15 years, U.S.News & World Report has recognized SJC as an outstanding college in the region, placing it in the top tier of its 2017-2018 rankings of Best Colleges in the North. SJC s strong freshman retention rate and continuing dedication to highly personalized instruction has helped secure the institution s top tier placement. The College has also been recognized by such publications as Military Advanced Education and Military Times for its commitment to providing opportunities to America s veterans and active military. Washington Monthly consistently lists SJC as one of its Best Bang for the Buck institutions. sjcny.edu 4
Priorities for Leadership: Opportunities and Challenges Shape a Philanthropy Program that Advances SJC s Mission and Values SJC s vision for the future requires the investment of donors and the growth of private philanthropy. The College s mission, the values it transmits to students, and its positive impact on the greater New York community drives SJC s strategic goals. Strategic planning around the 100th anniversary last year resulted in a recognition that the College requires an advancement plan that reflects its mission, but also enables its strategic goals. SJC s story Build a Partnership with the President and the Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees recognizes its need to be a strong partner in philanthropy. As part of its presidential search last year, it sought a leader with an understanding of the critical role a high-functioning development department plays in accelerating the College s advancement efforts. The Board now seeks a knowledgeable advancement professional to actualize fundraising goals set forth in the Strategic Plan. S/he will partner with the President and the Board in building a culture of philanthropy, and help prospective about a small women s college which grew into a multi-campus institution offering high-quality and relevant undergraduate and graduate programs to students, including many first-generation college students, in metro New York s diverse environment is one that will inspire. The new VPIA will help shape the case for SJC s philanthropic support in collaboration with College leaders. donors connect to exciting opportunities for making a difference at SJC. President Boomgaarden looks to the new VPIA to support his role as the leading College spokesperson and enable his strategic engagement with the Board, major donors, alumni and friends in the greater community. As the advocate for philanthropy, the new VPIA will partner with the President in moving SJC IA to the next level and ultimately preparing the College for its first comprehensive capital campaign. Lead and Manage a Collaborative High-Achieving Advancement Team Strengthen Relationships with SJC s Key Constituencies SJC seeks a VPIA who can expand the strategic involvement of all key constituencies trustees, alumni, cabinet members, deans, faculty, staff, recent graduates, corporations, foundations, government partners and all friends of the College capable of supporting a philanthropic agenda. By communicating the impact The new VPIA will join an IA program with many accomplishments and a history of teamwork. The program now faces challenges that require the involvement of a knowledgeable and innovative leader. Among these are the need to create a robust major gift program, strengthen planned giving, build corporate and foundation programs, accelerate interactions with prospective donors in all categories, and continue to seek more strategic donorcentered engagement with the College s diverse alumni, student and community partners. The next VPIA is expected to mentor and be an advocate for IA staff. The VPIA will create goals, strategies and action plans for the College that include measurable deliverables for growth in all areas of advancement. Greater involvement of campus and volunteer leadership in seeking investments in SJC s future should be a part of the next VPIA s strategic advancement plan. of donor investments in SJC students, faculty, programs and campuses, the new VPIA will have the satisfaction of assisting the College in performing its important mission and finding the resources to realize ambitious goals. sjcny.edu 5
Leadership Qualifications and Attributes The College seeks an advancement professional with a minimum of 8 10 years of demonstrated major gift fundraising success and progressively responsible leadership experience within a comprehensive advancement program in higher education, a college or university foundation or an institution with a strong education mission. The successful candidate should have thorough knowledge of alumni relations and donor-centered best practices in all development areas, including annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, and the planning and execution of comprehensive campaigns. A bachelor s degree is required and an advanced degree will be highly valued. The next Vice President for Institutional Advancement will be: 1. A Mission-Driven Servant Leader who embraces and is energized by a commitment to SJC s mission, vision, tradition and identity as a college sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph. 2. An Inclusive and Committed Person of Action who thrives in a collegial environment and can work closely and seamlessly with the President in a reliable partnership built on good communication, trust and complete understanding of mutual expectations. 3. A Skilled Evaluator capable of appraising SJC s current Advancement Program to improve efficiency, accelerate fundraising and enhance overall Program effectiveness. 4. A Strategic Thinker capable of constructing and implementing a detailed advancement plan tied closely to SJC s strategic vision that contains explicit steps for enhancing the long-term sustainability of College operations through philanthropy. 5. An Experienced Manager with proven organizational skills, performance management experience, and the ability to delegate effectively and oversee multiple projects concurrently. S/he will exercise sound judgment in decision-making and leading the IA team and holding its members and her/himself accountable for setting and achieving priorities, goals and milestones. 6. A Seasoned Advancement Adviser who has gained the trust of presidents and boards by demonstrating strong people skills and strategic, analytical and financial acumen. A professional whose experience and insight have the gravitas to serve as the voice of experience and go-to expert on advancement issues and best practices. 7. A Collaborative Team Builder accomplished in developing, guiding, mentoring and motivating staff and setting clear goals for measuring accountability. At the same time, having a track-record of successfully working with college leaders, deans and faculty to understand their program achievements and needs to help them seek philanthropic investments. 8. A Proven Relationship Builder who has demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and the ability to nurture warm and authentic relationships with donors, alumni and colleagues. S/he will respect and have the skill to empower and bring together diverse campus and community constituencies. 9. A Leader with Extensive Knowledge of the challenges facing private, liberal arts colleges; an appreciation of shared governance, and the experience to merit the respect of the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni and the greater community. 10. A Data-Driven and Tech-Savvy Administrator with a strong command of how social media, data analysis and information software are utilized in the most successful alumni engagement and development programs. 11. An Articulate Advocate with Excellent Listening Skills who can effectively and passionately communicate the vision of the College and its inspiring story. 12. An Inspirational and Ethical Colleague who leads SJC with integrity, humility and a sense of humor. sjcny.edu 6
Vice President for Institutional Advancement, St. Joseph s College The Application Process The Search Committee will begin screening applications mid-december. Although application materials will be accepted until an appointment is made, candidates should submit materials by December 15, 2017, to ensure the most thorough consideration. An appointment is anticipated in February 2018, although the start date could occur between March 1 and July 1, 2018, depending on the commitments of the successful candidate. All nominations, inquiries and applications will be confidential until finalists are identified for on-campus interviews. Applications should include a letter of interest that responds to the Search Profile sections Priorities for Leadership and Leadership Qualifications and Attributes; a complete resume or vita; and five professional references with email addresses and telephone numbers (references will not be contacted without prior authorization from the applicant). Please address applications to: Mr. John Roth, Chief Financial Officer and Chair of the VPIA Search Committee and submit them electronically (MS word or Adobe PDF) to: advancesjcny@agbsearch.com. AGB Search of Washington, D.C., is assisting St. Joseph s College with the VPIA Search. Nominators and prospective candidates are encouraged to contact Executive Search Consultants, Ms. Shannon McCambridge, J.D., LL.M or Ms. Judith B. Ward, in full confidence at: Judith.ward@agbsearch.com or 202.215.8519 Shannon.mccambridge@agbsearch.com or 206.310.7560 For additional information about St. Joseph s College, please visit its website at sjcny.edu. St. Joseph s College is an Equal Opportunity employer. Mission The mission of St. Joseph s College is to provide a strong academic and value-oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, rooted in a liberal arts tradition that supports provision for career preparation and enhancement. The College prepares each student for a life characterized by integrity, intellectual and spiritual values, social responsibility and service; a life that is worthy of our motto: Esse non videri To be, not to seem. sjcny.edu 7