Dean of Students This search is being assisted by:
Kent State University seeks nominations and applications for the position of Dean of Students reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, Shay Little. The new Dean will be expected to assume office by the summer of 2017. Under the leadership of President Beverly Warren, who joined Kent State in 2014, the university embarked on a strategic visioning process, which has culminated in a bold vision for a distinctive Kent State with explicit priorities. The vision statement defines Kent State s future To be a community of change agents whose collective commitment to learning sparks epic thinking, meaningful voice and invaluable outcomes to better our society. To achieve this ambitious vision for the future, the plan establishes five priorities: Students First Provide an inclusive and engaged living-learning environment where all students thrive and graduate as informed citizens committed to a life of impact. A Distinctive Kent State Drive innovation, idea generation and national distinction through top-tier academic and research programs including the recruitment and support of talented faculty and staff. Globally Competitive Advance Kent State s impact and reach as a leading international university. Regional Impact Serve as the innovative engine and engaged partner to meet community needs and enhance quality of life in the region and state. Organizational Stewardship Ensure a culture of continuous improvement and the efficient stewardship of university resources and infrastructure. The Dean of Students will be an integral part of the leadership team for a high-performing division whose programs and services will make major contributions to advancing the work on these priorities. Specific responsibilities and opportunities relative to each of these priorities are described below. THE UNIVERSITY Since its founding as a teacher-training school in 1910, Kent State has become an engine for economic, cultural, and workforce development in the region and beyond as a national public research university. The university also has earned acclaim for applying new knowledge to address the needs of the communities it serves and society through a vast array of educational courses, programs and other initiatives. Kent State s reach across Northeast Ohio is unmatched; the university system (a residential research university campus in Kent and seven regional campuses) enrolls more than 41,000 students annually, with 22,500 undergraduates and 6,500 graduate students at its Kent campus. Nearly 13,000 students attend one of the university s seven regional campuses. The Kent State system serves an increasingly diverse student body and a significant number of first-generation students (40 percent). Approximately 37 percent of Kent campus students and 57 percent of regional campuses students receive Pell Grants. In recent years Kent State s student population has become increasingly international. In 2006, the university enrolled 768 international students; in 2015, that number climbed to more than 3,000. Students hail from a total of 111 nations. 2
Kent State offers 530 undergraduate and graduate programs across its eight campuses. Students may choose from 325 degree majors across 11 colleges and an independent school: College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology; College of Architecture and Environmental Design; College of Arts and Sciences; College of the Arts; College of Business Administration; College of Communication and Information; College of Education, Health and Human Services; College of Nursing; College of Podiatric Medicine; College of Public Health; Regional College; and the School of Digital Sciences. One of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio, Kent State employs more than 5,700 full-time and part-time faculty and staff and is the only Ohio institution listed among 2015 Great Colleges to Work For by the Chronicle of Higher Education. With a balanced operating budget of $686 million, Kent State University is in a sound financial position. Through strong leadership and strategic investments in student recruitment and marketing, university enrollments have consistently set records while expenses have been controlled. Primary revenue sources are tuition and fees ($417 million), state appropriations ($144 million), auxiliary revenues ($92 million), and investment and other income ($13 million). KENT CAMPUS & CITY OF KENT Through collaboration and vision the city of Kent, Ohio is being transformed into a dynamic and thriving college town. More than $110 million has been invested thus far in redeveloping 500,000 square feet of office, retail, and residential public spaces across a four-block section of downtown. As the largest downtown construction project in Kent s 208-year history, the developments create a strong physical link between campus and community, transforming this small town along the Cuyahoga River into a bustling center of culture and business. Among the newest facilities is the Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center that opened in 2013. The facility, developed by the Kent State University Foundation, offers accommodations, dining, and meeting facilities adjacent to the university campus. Recent developments also include additional housing opportunities for students including innovative micro-apartments holding great appeal for international and graduate students. The City of Kent revitalization project has received international, national and state-wide recognition for its partnership and impact. Just a few examples of its numerous awards: the inaugural Larry Abernathy Award from the International Town-Gown Association (ITGA) in 2013; the 2013 Ohio Economic Development Project of the Year Award from the Ohio Economic Development Association; the 2014 Community Partnership Program Excellence Award from the International City/County Management Association; and in 2015, the Greater Ohio Policy Center awarded its inaugural Catalytic Partnership Award to Kent State University and the City of Kent for bringing greater vitality to the city s downtown and better connecting it with the campus. 3
THE POSITION The Dean of Students is a senior-level position reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs at Kent State University. Along with the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and the Executive Director for Administration, the Dean of Students will be a part of the division s leadership team. The dean will provide leadership for the Center for Student Involvement and several other departments and programs in the Division of Student Affairs that serve an engaged and diverse student population with the primary focus of enhancing the co-curricular student experience, providing leadership to institutional efforts aimed at transforming lives of students, complementing the academic mission and supporting holistic student success. Additionally, the Dean of Students will assist the Vice President for Student Affairs in the leadership and administration of the division and serve as the institution s primary student advocate. THE DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS Division Mission Statement: The Division of Student Affairs intentionally develops the whole student through transformational experiences. We passionately engage our diverse student population through quality programming and resources that enhance the educational process to ensure student success. More than 400 administrative and professional staff, 30 graduate assistants and more than 2000 student employees work together to support students in becoming their best selves. From traditional to non-traditional, domestic to international, commuters to on-campus residents, the division endeavors to enhance the co-curricular lives of all Kent State students. The Division of Student Affairs includes the following units: Residence Services, which includes 25 traditional residence halls housing more than 6,400 students; 4
Recreational Services, including the 153,000-square-foot Student recreation and wellness Center and a Recreation Corridor boasting student recreation fields, a golf disc course, and the Kent State Ice Arena; Center for Student Involvement; Office of Student Conduct; University Dining Services, offering 22 dining locations and dining plans for resident, commuter, and off-campus students; Office of the Student Ombuds University Health Services, providing full-service primary medical care, psychological counseling, and health promotion for the campus community; Student Accessibility Services; International Student Affairs; Center for Adult and Veterans Services; University Bookstore; Flash Technology Center (Authorized Apple Store); Flashcard Office; and Kent Student Center, serving as an umbrella for more than 300 student organizations and opportunities for community involvement, leadership training, and an ongoing roster of campus events and activities. Points of Distinction: Twenty-five on-campus residence halls are home to more than 6,400 total beds. More than $70 million has been invested in the residence halls over the past five years. The University Bookstore is home to an Authorized Apple Store, the only one within 15 miles of campus. University Dining Services offers 24 different food service locations plus, vending, concessions and banquet sales for catering services throughout campus. This includes the famous Fork in the Road food truck. More than 350 student organizations are offered for involvement opportunities. University Health Services, offers fully integrated healthcare, psychological counseling, and health education to faculty, staff and students. Recreational Services serves as the recreational outlet to the Kent State University community through state-of-the-art programs, learning opportunities, services and facilities. University Events and Conference Services, in the Kent Student Center, is recognized and accredited as a 1 Stop Shop for events, banquets and conferencing needs. The annual Homecoming International Celebration is typically attended by more than 1,000 individuals. 5
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE NEW DEAN As a member of the Student Affairs seniorleadership team, the new Dean will assist the Vice President in setting university policies and priorities and providing strategic leadership for the division. The senior-leadership team has the opportunity and challenge of mobilizing current programs and introducing new initiatives to support Kent State s key priorities. Several Student Affairs opportunities to support each of the university s strategic priorities are outlined below. Division Priorities: Priority One: Students First Cultivate an intentionally designed, inclusive, and engaging student experience that promotes the intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual development of all students. Priority Two: Distinctive Kent State Enhance the academic mission of Kent State through comprehensive practices that foster innovation and lead to nationally recognized co-curricular programs and services. Priority Three: Global Competitiveness Advance the integration of international students into the campus community and encourage domestic students to expand their worldview by engaging in cultural activities and programs. Priority Four: Regional Impact Partner with local civic leaders to engage students in the community through area neighborhood activities and community service. Priority Five: Organizational Stewardship Sustain a culture of continuous improvement including professional standards review, promoting ongoing staff development and fiscal responsibility while recruiting and retaining talented professionals. DESIRED ATTRIBUTES FOR THE NEXT DEAN OF STUDENTS The successful Dean will be: Someone who demonstrates a student focus and is committed to excellence in student programming and support; A leader who will engage and collaborate closely with students, staff, faculty, and administrative colleagues throughout the university to build consensus and support; A person who will build the student experience at the university through recognizing and promoting the work of others; Someone who can build and be a part of effective and well aligned teams; 6
A person who will develop and foster partnerships across and beyond the university; A person of proven leadership, integrity and high ethical standards who will inspire trust and instill confidence in the Kent State community; An individual who can provide visionary strategic thinking and planning skills that support the division s quest to exemplify best practices in student affairs; A person experienced in assessment practices to document the impact of the co-curricular experience; A person who has an enthusiastic campus presence, actively engaged in a living learning community of faculty, students, staff, alumni, and the local Kent community; A transparent and courageous decision-maker who is data-driven, builds consensus, has the fortitude to make difficult choices when necessary, and communicates decisions with clarity and care; A person of financial acumen who will have the experience to use university resources wisely; A person of global perspective who is culturally sensitive and committed to fostering diversity in its many forms; A student of higher education, knowledgeable about key issues affecting universities nationally and actively engaged in national student affairs professional organizations; A superb listener and communicator, at ease in a multitude of settings with multiple constituencies; QUALIFICATIONS In addition to the aforementioned desired attributes the successful candidate will possess a Master s degree in higher education administration, student personnel, or relevant field and ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration. It is highly preferred that the candidate have a terminal degree in higher education, student personnel, or relevant field and ten or more years of progressively responsible and supervisory experience in designing and supporting the cocurricular experience on college campuses. NOMINATION AND APPLICATION PROCESS Nominations and applications will be received until the position is filled but, in order to receive full consideration, candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by December 1, 2016. All nominations, applications, and inquiries will be held in full confidence to the extent allowed by Ohio law until finalists are identified for on-campus interviews. Kent State University has partnered Academic Search, Inc. in this search process for the new Dean of Students. Nominators or prospective candidates may direct inquiries or questions to Senior Consultant Dr. Tom Fitch at rtf@academic-search.com. Application materials should consist of a curriculum vitae, a substantive cover letter, and a list of five references, none of whom will be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate. All application materials must be submitted electronically to KentStateDOS@academic-search.com 7
Kent State University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Materials submitted for application may be subject to release in the event of a public records request pursuant to ORC 149.43. For more than three decades, Academic Search has offered executive search services exclusively to institutions of higher education. Academic Search was founded on the principle of strengthening higher education leadership through professional search services. We are the only search firm in the nation with a formal relationship to a premier leadership development program. As the subsidiary of the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI), Academic Search provides substantial financial support to a number of leadership identification, development, and support programs across all sectors of public and private higher education. For more information, visit www.academic-search.com. 8