College Vice President jobs in Saint Cloud, MN

Central Lakes College

Minnesota State

Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Central Lakes College in its search for Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs (VPASA).

For full consideration, please apply by April 3, 2023

With 53 percent enrollment growth over the past five years, this is an exciting time to join Central Lakes College as the next Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs (VPASA). Following the continued growth and success of the College, this position is ideal for a highly organized, collaborative leader and mentor committed to faculty, staff, and student success. The successful candidate brings their proven history of strategic leadership success to continue to advance the mission of this multi-campus College.

The VPASA provides the educational and administrative leadership to academic and student affairs faculty and staff with a clear focus on student success, achieving equitable student outcomes, and serving the community in support of the CLC mission, “we build futures.” The VPASA works to achieve excellence and innovation in the College’s academic and student services programs, ensures that the region’s workforce demands are met, strategically builds enrollment and student success, and prioritizes relationships in all aspects of the work. 

Reporting to the President, the VPASA provides the vision and overall guidance for policy formulation, educational planning, the Higher Learning Commission accreditation process, budgeting, and new program development. This position serves as the chief administrative representative on Academic Affairs and Standards Council and participate in various Minnesota State, community, state, and national organizations. The VPASA leads the following positions: 6 Academic Deans/Administrators (Dean of Staples, Dean of Brainerd Technical Education, Dean of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Executive Director of Ag Partnerships, Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success, Dean of Students, Wellness & Equity); Director of Small Business Development Center; Director of Technology; Management Analyst; Research Analyst; and an Office Administrator.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Leadership of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs – Provide vision and leadership to ensure that the academic and student affairs programs meet the needs of the region and progressively advance student success.  

• Provide leadership to ensure excellence in academic and student affairs programs and services throughout the College.   
• Provide leadership to ensure a continual focus on students in all decisions.
• Ensure a culture of student success and enhance persistence and completion in accordance with the Minnesota State performance metrics.
• Advance the College’s data-informed equity work that removes barriers for students and ensures that all students have equal access to learning, credentials, and fulfilling careers.
• Lead the process of the development and publication of yearly and semester schedules of classes to meet student needs, emphasizing the consultative nature of the process and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of class schedules to meet enrollment needs within budgetary constraints.
• Ensure of the implementation of effective student services to meet the needs of continuing, new and prospective students (i.e. registration, orientation, counseling and advising, access services, academic support services and student life) to promote student success.  Analyze longitudinal studies on enrollment, student credit hours, faculty/counselor load, space utilization, program growth, cost effectiveness, student usage of services and other issues related to effective instructional and student development offerings for the purpose of initiating continual improvement processes.
• Foster workforce development through programming, training, and leadership in partnership with business and industry.  
• Provide leadership in applications of technology and distance learning in support of student learning.
• Work with the dean of the Staples campuses to address the academic and student affairs needs of the Staples campuses and the communities they serve.
• Administer an effective academic and co-instructional assessment program to assure activities and results guide changes to improve student learning and academic achievement and play a role in planning and budgeting of college resources.

Percent of Time:  20% 

2. Planning and Evaluation - Direct and support deans, directors and staff in the planning, development and evaluation of services and programs to ensure that student support and academic program needs are met.

• Lead academic and student services programs and actively seek the development of new opportunities, as well as partnerships with other institutions of higher education and K-12.  
• Ensure that the College programmatic offerings are current and meet the needs of the region through ongoing analysis of workforce and student needs to identify new programs and services.
• Direct the development of new technological innovations to enhance learning and teaching and to improve the delivery of support services to students.
• Direct the evaluation and implementation of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum in conjunction with State Universities and other higher education partners.
• Supervise, in collaboration with the deans, the development and implementation of articulation agreements with in-state and out-of-state public and private colleges and universities.
• Work with the deans to facilitate, explore and implement joint/collaborative programs with secondary and post-secondary institutions. 
• Ensure that the College’s strategic plan is fully implemented through the development and management of subplans, including but not limited to, those addressing academics, enrollment management, student success, and information technology. 
• Provide leadership for the College’s academic and co-curricular assessment plan, including but not limited to annual learning outcomes, program reviews, and co-curricular assessments.

Percent of Time:  15% 

3. Lead the College’s Enrollment Management and Student Success program

• Lead efforts to dramatically enhance student success through retention, progression, completion and closing all education equity gaps in accordance with the CLC Strategic Plan the Minnesota State’s Equity 2030.
• Lead enrollment efforts to enhance both program-specific and college-wide enrollment. This includes, but is not limited to, ongoing analysis of enrollment patterns, examination of various audiences, including adult learners, and the examination of cost benefit data and workforce trends to inform changes in programs and services as well as recruitment and retention strategies.
• Lead the planning, implementation and evaluation of enrollment goals, systems and structures required to achieve enrollment as reflected in the college mission and vision. 

Percent of Time:  15% 

4. Budget Management - Actively engage in the budget process with the Vice President of Administrative Services and administrative team to plan and monitor revenue and expenses so that the college budget is balanced within the approved allocation.

• In consultation with the Vice President of Administrative Services, establish processes within Academic Affairs and Student Affairs for deans, directors, and staff to identify, prioritize, and recommend budget needs for all instructional and student services areas.  In collaboration with deans and supervisors, provide projected staffing, enrollment, and other needs as part of the college budget process.  
• Monitor expenditures of the approved allocations for each area to ensure budgets are adhered to and that appropriate policy/procedures/state statutes, and federal guidelines are followed.
• Participate in the budget allocation process to ensure equity and judicious use of resources needed to meet college goals and objectives.  Work with deans, directors, and faculty to identify and prioritize resource needs as part of the college budget process.  This includes staffing, operating budgets, technology/equipment, facility, and capital budget needs.

Percent of Time:  10% 

5. Human Resources Management – Supervise, evaluate, and promote the development of faculty and staff.

• Cultivate a culture based on relationships in which all employees feel supported, have a voice, and feel valued.
• Provide leadership for the professional development of administrators and supervisors to ensure that all have the tools to develop necessary skills related to both tasks and relationship development.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection procedures and recommendations to the President for employment of academic and student affairs faculty, staff, and administrators.  
• Provide leadership for the orientation and evaluation of faculty and staff.
• Ensure the proper application of collective bargaining unit agreement/union contract provisions for faculty and staff assignments and responsibilities.
• Promote and encourage leadership and development opportunities at the college.
• Complete performance reviews for Deans (and faculty and staff as appropriate).

Percent of Time:  10% 

6. Contribute to College-wide planning and decision-making

• Participate as a member of the Executive Team and provide leadership to the groups such as the Administrative Team and Supervisor’s Group.
• Serve as the Chief Academic Officer on the Academic Affairs and Standards Council and participate in Faculty Shared Governance Council.
• Represent the college at functions and events throughout the college and community as directed by the President.
• Provide support to the Vice President of Administrative Services in the development of the Comprehensive Facilities Plan.   
• Provide leadership in college-wide decisions. 

Percent of Time:  10% 

7. Provide leadership for opportunity and revenue generation

• Lead efforts to generate opportunity and revenue through local, state, and federal grant programs.
• Lead efforts to meet workforce training needs are met and maximize revenue generation through expansion of the Customized Training program.
• Actively seek opportunities to collaborate with other institutions and agencies to expand offerings and services to students. This may include, but is not limited to, establishing joint programs with other Minnesota State institutions.

Percent of Time: 10% 

8. Participate in System, state, and national initiatives

• Provide leadership for Minnesota State instructional and student services issues through participation in system-initiated committees and task forces.
• Contribute to system-wide planning and resource development.
• Complete reports and evaluations on the instructional and student services programs as required by the system office, federal agencies, and the president. 
• Provide leadership in statewide and national organizations that address issues related to student and academic affairs.
• Maintain professional visibility to promote the college.

Percent of Time:  5% 

9. Other duties as assigned.

Percent of Time:  5% 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree with highest degree earned from a regionally-accredited institution;
• Five years of administrative experience leading faculty and staff in a postsecondary educational setting;
• College-level teaching experience;
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the comprehensive community and technical college;
• Demonstrated success building relationships with faculty and staff based on shared values of trust, respect, transparency;
• Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence and rigor;
• Demonstrated commitment to enrollment management and student services that enhance equitable persistence, progression, and completion rates.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Doctoral degree from a regionally-accredited institution;
• College level teaching experience in a community college environment;
• Leadership behaviors that demonstrate support for academic freedom, shared governance, inclusion and participation in decision-making, and creating a positive, respectful culture;
• Demonstrated willingness to take initiative by changing policy and/or process to benefit students and the college; 
• Demonstrated success developing and sustaining new academic programs.
• Demonstrated success in designing and implementing effective enrollment management strategies;
• Knowledge and experience with policies and practices relating to excellence in teaching; curriculum development; instructional program planning and budgeting; program innovation, assessment, program development and review; articulation/transfer; faculty evaluation; staff development; distance and on-line education; course and faculty scheduling; technology to support instruction and overall college infrastructure; and customized training.
• Knowledge and experience in the areas of fostering relationships with public school and workforce partners;
• Experience managing complex budgets;
• Knowledge and experience in mentoring and professional development;
• Experience working with faculty in liberal arts and technical education programs in a collective bargaining environment;
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and diversity; 
• Authentic communication and listening skills;
• Success in grant writing and administration;
• Experience with customized training or revenue-generating workforce solutions.

BUDGET AUTHORITY:   $21,800,000 

Central Lakes College – Brainerd and Staples is one of 37 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (), offering excellent, affordable education in 54 communities across the state. CLC’s roots run deep in tradition dating to 1938 in Brainerd and 1950 in Staples. CLC is a comprehensive community and technical college serving about 5,500 students per year. Learn more about the strategic plan . 

Central Lakes College focuses on inspiring learning, advancing innovation and transforming the lives of its students.  With knowledgeable, caring faculty and staff, and results-oriented programs, The college is a regional leader in educating our future workforce. Together, we build futures.

Over a recent, five-year period, CLC experienced 53 percent enrollment growth, pushing to more than 6,000 the number of people taking at least one class from the college during an academic year.

Now offering over 70 programs – including an Associate of Arts Honors degree – the college has expanded partnerships with area school districts and the business community to work toward a sustainable economy with a workforce that earns living wages. College-in-the-Schools has built on educational partnerships across the region to enable qualified high school instructors to deliver CLC courses from home school districts to eligible students, all in collaboration with CLC instructors.

Home to the North Central Regional Small Business Development Center, CLC is the center of economic development helping young businesses thrive, while it remains at the cutting edge of farm research through its Ag and Energy Center. Research on irrigation and other farm operations is becoming a catalyst for agriculture research and demonstration in the coarse, sandy plains of central Minnesota.

Central Lakes College (CLC) begins making an impact early, meeting each student at different points along their educational journey and helping them toward their chosen pathway. A robust concurrent enrollment program, well-tailored technical programs, and an associate of arts degree enables a student to start at CLC, saving time and money. Students who have earned the associate’s degree may then elect to transfer to any Minnesota State four-year college or university.

Living in the Area

Nestled in the center of Minnesota and with a population of 14,000, Brainerd boasts small-town charm and is set along some of the most beautiful and popular lakes in Minnesota. For generations, dozens of resorts in the Brainerd area—130 miles northwest of the Twin Cities—have drawn travelers seeking laid-back lake escapes.

Brainerd is an inviting small city west of Minneapolis full of amazing places to explore like Brainerd International Raceway displaying its unique environment or Northland Arboretum offering fun rides and tour opportunities; they organize vivid festivals like Brainerd Jaycees Street Fest every August. Compared to the rest of the country, Brainerd's cost of living is 18.3% lower than the U.S. average.

Residents can enjoy miles of biking, hiking, and off-road adventure trails. Fishing enthusiasts will find a thriving community to join. With a bustling shopping scene in Brainerd, Nisswa, Crosslake, and Pequot Lakes, there is something for everyone in Brainerd Lakes.

Staples is a small and vibrant community filled with activities  for everyone including music, fine arts, sports, and outdoor recreation. Outdoor activities include fishing, hunting, swimming, hiking, biking, and camping.

To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by April 3, 2023

To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at:

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to

Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominees’ name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.

Institution’s EEO Statement

Central Lakes College is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and education opportunity.   No person shall be discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment, personnel practices, or access to and participation in, programs, services, and activities with regard to race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, or membership or activity in a local commission as defined by law.  This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling TTY 1-800-627-3529.