Associate Vice Chancellor for Military Affairs

Associate Vice Chancellor for Military Affairs (Special Assistant to the Chancellor)

North Carolina Central University seeks a strategic, collaborative, and results‑driven leader to serve as Associate Vice Chancellor for Military Affairs. This senior‑level position provides executive leadership to advance military‑affiliated student success, expand Department of Defense research and partnership opportunities, and serve as the Chancellor’s principal advisor on military affairs and related strategic initiatives.

Employee Benefits

• Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave
• Community Service Leave
• NC State – Health Benefits
• NCFlex – Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and more
• 11‑12 Paid Holidays
• Teachers and State Employees Retirement System (TSERS)
• Optional Supplemental Plans – 401k, 403b, 457b and 457
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Campus Recreation Center Discount
• University Bookstore Discount and more

Core Competencies

• Strategic leadership and vision
• Relationship building and external engagement
• Policy analysis and advisory expertise
• Results orientation and accountability
• Cultural competence and commitment to inclusive excellence

Minimum Education and Experience

• Master’s degree required; terminal degree preferred.
• At least 7‑10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education, military affairs, federal partnerships, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience working with military‑connected populations or defense‑related organizations.
• Proven track record in partnership development, strategic planning, and program implementation.
• Strong understanding of federal funding processes, particularly DoD grants and cooperative agreements.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior military service or extensive experience working with military institutions.
• Experience at a public research university or HBCU.
• Demonstrated success securing federal research funding.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams and institutional initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to support recruitment, retention, persistence, and graduation of military‑affiliated students (active duty, veterans, reservists, National Guard, and dependents).
• Develop and execute a comprehensive engagement strategy with all military installations, defense industry business, veteran affairs medical centers and community‑based outpatient clinics, and veteran treatment courts in North Carolina.
• Oversee career readiness and workforce alignment initiatives tailored to military‑affiliated students, including credential translation, employer engagement, and internships.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Transformational Engagement and University Advancement to ensure integrated student support services.
• Establish measurable outcomes and assessment frameworks to track impact and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with the Durham Public Schools Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program to support recruitment efforts and NCCU ROTC program.
• Collaborate with the UNC System Office and North Carolina State Approving on military and veterans’ issues.
• Provide executive oversight of career programs specifically designed for military‑connected students.
• Strengthen partnerships with federal agencies, defense contractors, corporate partners, and nonprofit organizations to expand employment pipelines.
• Develop employer advisory councils and signature career events that highlight NCCU’s military‑affiliated talent.
• Align programs with workforce demands in cybersecurity, intelligence, logistics, health sciences, data analytics, engineering, and related fields.
• Lead institutional strategy to increase Department of Defense research funding and sponsored program opportunities.
• Coordinate with federal affairs, state affairs, and research to align on issues affecting higher education, military, research, and federal funding opportunities.
• Work closely with the Veterans Affairs, NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, NC Department of Public Safety, and NC Department of Commerce to position NCCU as the best partner to the state’s military and veteran community.
• Partner with the Office of Sponsored Research, Deans, and faculty to identify, pursue, and secure DoD research grants and cooperative agreements.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with DoD agencies, laboratories, and program officers.
• Identify opportunities for research collaborations, workforce development grants, and innovation partnerships that elevate NCCU’s national profile.
• Serve as institutional liaison to defense‑focused consortia and research networks.
• Serve as a liaison between the University and military and veteran stakeholders, including base leaders, NC House Standing Committee on Homeland Security and Military and Veterans Affairs, Military Affairs Commission, and Veterans Affairs Commission.
• Develop, coordinate, and sustain community engagement initiatives that strengthen a comprehensive military and veteran ecosystem aligned with the university’s strategic priorities.
• Plan and execute events that connect service members, veterans, families, community partners, employers, and campus stakeholders; enhance student support, retention, and career outcomes; foster partnerships with military installations and external organizations; and elevate the institution’s visibility and impact as a military‑ and veteran‑supportive university.
• Provide executive-level support and coordination for NCCU’s ROTC program(s).
• Serve as the University’s primary liaison to military branch leadership overseeing ROTC operations.
• Ensure program alignment with institutional policies, student success initiatives, and campus engagement goals.
• Support recruitment efforts, scholarship development, and program visibility across campus and in the community.
• Serve as the Chancellor’s senior advisor on all matters related to military affairs, veterans’ education, defense partnerships, and related policy issues.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership regarding emerging federal policy, funding trends, and military engagement opportunities.
• Represent NCCU at regional and national convenings focused on military‑connected education and defense research.
• Develop and advance strategic partnerships that enhance NCCU’s reputation as a premier HBCU partner to the defense and military community.
• Position NCCU as a leading institution for military‑affiliated student success among HBCUs and peer institutions.
• Expand external funding and partnership opportunities tied to national defense and workforce development.
• Strengthen NCCU’s visibility and competitiveness within DoD‑sponsored research ecosystems.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and mission alignment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

North Carolina Central University reaffirms that it is an equal opportunity employer. The university is committed to providing educational opportunities and prohibits discrimination against students, applicants, employees, or visitors based on race, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, or veteran status.

Work Location

Fully On‑site (dedicated office at Duty Station)