Vice President for Student Affairs

Vice President for Student Affairs Position Summary Baruch College seeks an experienced, strategic, operationally sophisticated, and student-centered leader to serve as the next Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA). Reporting to the Senior Vice President and Provost, the VPSA is the College’s chief student affairs officer and provides executive leadership for a comprehensive portfolio of student-facing programs and services that support student success, engagement, well-being, and belonging. At this critical moment, the VPSA will play a key role in advancing Baruch’s efforts to create a more integrated, equitable, and intentionally designed student experience, building strong partnerships within Academic Affairs and with Enrollment Management, Operations and Administration, Advancement, and other divisions to align academic and co-curricular supports across the student lifecycle. Institutional Context Baruch College is a selective, urban, public college within CUNY, enrolling a very diverse undergraduate and graduate student body, the majority of whom are Pell-eligible. The College is nationally recognized for student outcomes, socioeconomic mobility (#1 nationally), and value (#1 nationally), while also facing the complexities common to large public institutions: scale, affordability pressures, and the need to coordinate student support across multiple organizational units. Recent institutional analyses as part of Baruch College’s "Next Level Student Success" project have highlighted the need for stronger integration, clearer pathways, and scalable student success practices across the student experience. The VPSA will be expected to engage in this work collaboratively to support the implementation of the College’s vision for an integrated approach to student success with a strong orientation toward data-informed decision making and continuous improvement. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership and Vision Provide strategic vision, leadership, and operational direction for the Division of Student Affairs, aligning divisional priorities with the College’s mission, strategic goals, and student success agenda. Lead divisional strategic planning with an emphasis on measurable impact across student services and programs and operational professionalism. Serve as a senior advisor on matters related to student life, student well-being, campus climate, and student success beyond the classroom. Student Success, Engagement, and Well-Being Provide strategic oversight and direction to areas housed within Student Affairs at Baruch, including the Dean of Students Office (inclusive of counseling, disability services, health and wellness, residence life, and early learning center), Student Life, and Athletics (NCAA D-III) as well as the inter-divisional Campus Intervention Team. Lead and advance initiatives that foster student resilience, belonging, leadership development, and civic engagement. Ensure responsive, coordinated, student-centered approaches to complex student needs, crisis response, and case management. Partnership with Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Partner closely with the Provost and other Academic Affairs leaders to strengthen alignment between curricular and co-curricular experiences, including advising, student success initiatives, and high-impact practices. Collaborate with Enrollment Management and other partners to support retention, progression, and timely graduation, recognizing the work of student affairs as part of a holistic student success ecosystem rather than a group of isolated service units. Operational and Organizational Leadership Provide strong leadership and supervision to senior Student Affairs staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, professional development, service excellence, and continuous improvement. Assess organizational structures, workflows, and staffing models within Student Affairs to ensure effectiveness, scalability, and clarity of responsibility. Oversee budgets and resources within the division with the support of the divisional business manager, aligning fiscal decisions with strategic priorities and student impact. Support or lead efforts to secure additional resources that advance holistic student success. Assessment and Continuous Improvement Use qualitative and quantitative data to assess the effectiveness of student services and programs, translating findings into actionable improvements. Champion inclusive practices across Student Affairs policies, programs, and decision making. Support institutional efforts to scale successful programs and move from "pockets of innovation" to sustainable, campuswide solutions. Campus and External Engagement Collaborate with student governments and work closely with student leaders. Represent Baruch College in CUNY-wide Student Affairs initiatives and external professional organizations. Partner with campus stakeholders to promote a positive, inclusive campus climate grounded in respect, integrity, and shared responsibility. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications This position is in CUNY’s Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and eight years of related experience. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree, doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) highly preferred in higher education, student affairs, or a related field. Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible senior-level leadership experience in student affairs or closely related areas within higher education. Demonstrated and significant experience serving an economically and culturally diverse student population, preferably at a large, urban, public institution. Strong and demonstrable record of organizational leadership, personnel management, and budget oversight. Experience within a public university system or multi-campus environment. Demonstrated success partnering with Academic Affairs on student success initiatives. Expertise in crisis management, student conduct, and behavioral intervention/care team leadership. Evidence of data-informed decision making and leading organizational change. Personal and Leadership Attributes Student-centered, collaborative, compassionate, and values-driven leadership style. Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust with students, faculty, staff, and senior leadership. Demonstrated commitment to equity, access, and inclusion. Comfort navigating complexity while moving an organization toward clarity and shared purpose. Proactive problem solver and communicator. Facility with the regulatory and legal environment within which Student Affairs operate. Compensation and Benefits $205,000–$215,000; Salary commensurate with experience. CUNY’s benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. Benefits include health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study, generous paid time off, and access to extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on campus. Equal Employment Opportunity CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer. Contact Job ID: 32281 Location: Baruch College #J-18808-Ljbffr CUNY Baruch College