Leadership Profile & Announcement

Kent State University is one of 76 public higher-research universities, as categorized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and is ranked in the top-tier list of Best National Universities by U.S. News & World Report. In a class by itself, Kent State is the only public university in Northeast Ohio ranked in the top tier. With eight campuses spanning Northeast Ohio, a College of Podiatric Medicine, a Twinsburg Academic Center, and academic sites in major world capitals such as New York City, Geneva, and Florence, Kent State is one of Ohio’s leading public universities and a major educational, economic and cultural resource far beyond the Northeast Ohio region it has served since 1910.

The University’s Kent Campus has a student body of nearly 27,000 and a thriving residential population of more than 6,600. Its seven regional campuses draw full- and part-time students, now totaling more than 12,000, from across Northeast Ohio: Kent State at Ashtabula; Kent State at East Liverpool; Kent State at Geauga in Burton, and the Regional Academic Center in Twinsburg; Kent State at Salem; Kent State at Stark in Canton; Kent State at Trumbull in Warren; and Kent State at Tuscarawas in New Philadelphia.

Kent State’s College of Podiatric Medicine is in Independence, near downtown Cleveland. The Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative is the combined home of the urban design graduate program and the public service activities of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design; the center offers architectural and urban design expertise to urban communities, design professionals, and nonprofit and academic partners in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. In addition, Kent State’s School of Library and Information Science offers the Master of Library and Information Science degree program to central and southern Ohio residents at its site in the State Library of Ohio in Columbus. Outside of Ohio, located in the heart of New York City’s Garment District, the Kent State Fashion School’s NYC Studio offers a unique academic experience to further students’ studies in fashion design, fashion merchandising, and fashion journalism.

The University offers more than 200 global education opportunities at its campuses in Florence, Italy, and Geneva, Switzerland; centers in China and India; and partnerships with 60 institutes and universities worldwide, from Columbia to Vietnam and Germany to Kenya. The Kent Campus is a global education destination, home to 3,000 students from 111 countries.

In 1920, the first Kent State University athletics team played. The sport was football. The “field band” was there and played in the stands. Women’s sports always had a place at Kent State and were recognized as an NCAA program in 1984. Kent State supports 19 Division I intercollegiate teams competing in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Kent State provides a robust club sport, intramurals, and recreation and wellness program for its entire campus community.

Kent State is proud of its outstanding faculty and staff, students, collaborative culture, exceptional academic and research orientation, and strong commitment to engagement, academic excellence, and diversity. The University offers more than 282 associate and baccalaureate degree programs. Kent State serves the state, the nation, and the world through 165 graduate programs. Academic programs are organized into ten colleges and one independent school: Aeronautics and Engineering; Architecture and Environmental Design; Arts and Sciences; the Arts; Business Administration; Communication and Information; Education, Health and Human Services; Nursing; Podiatric Medicine; and Public Health, as well as the School of Digital Sciences.

For more information about Kent State, visit the website.

The Associate Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students is responsible for strategic leadership and oversight of several key departments and programs within the Division of Student Life. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President for Student Life, this role is instrumental in shaping the student experience at Kent State University by cultivating an engaging, inclusive, and supportive environment that aligns with the university’s mission and goals.

Reporting Departments/Units:

• CARES Center (Crisis, Advocacy, Resources, Education, and Support)
• Center for Sexual & Relationship Violence Support Services
• Counseling and Psychological Services
• Recreational and Wellness Services
• Office of Conduct & Community Engagement
• Office of the Dean of Students
• Parents and Families Engagement

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Supervision: Oversee student services' planning, organization, and coordination to meet university-level goals and objectives. In their absence, serve as the acting Senior Vice President for Student Life.
• Student Advocacy: Serve as the institution’s primary student advocate, promoting policies and programs that enhance student success, satisfaction, retention, and graduation.
• Strategic Collaboration: Partner with academic deans, senior leadership, and various campus constituents to promote student success through quality programming, resources, and support efforts.
• Crisis Management: Lead the division’s responses to major crises impacting students, including overseeing the emergency call center and coordinating responses to student-related emergencies.
• Policy Development: Provide leadership in the analysis, creation, and interpretation of student policies, ensuring they align with institutional goals and have a positive impact on the campus community.
• Mental Health and Well-being: Spearhead initiatives to educate the campus community on mental health resources and coordinate the CARE Team to support students at risk.
• Title IX Coordination: Act as the deputy Title IX coordinator for students, working closely with the Office of Gender Equity & Title IX on relevant matters.
• Community Engagement: Foster a positive town-gown relationship and promote campus inclusivity and student participation.

Qualifications:

• Minimum Qualifications: A master’s degree in higher education administration, student personnel, or a relevant field, with ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration.
• Preferred Qualifications: A terminal degree in higher education, student personnel, or a related field, with extensive experience in designing and supporting co-curricular experiences on college campuses.

Skills and Abilities:

• Expertise in strategic planning, student organizations, leadership programs, and student affairs trends.
• Exceptional ability to build partnerships with students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.
• Proven record of accomplishment in managing complex projects, aligning departmental processes with institutional priorities, and leading teams effectively.
• Strong commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming campus climate.