Houghton College was founded in 1883 as a Christian liberal arts college in the Wesleyan tradition. For 135 years Houghton College has prepared students to become global contributors empowered by a challenging education, taught in a vibrant community and grounded in Christian faith. Located in beautiful Allegany County, New York, Houghton College has a student body of around 1,100 students from over 40 states and 25 countries.  Baccalaureate degrees are offered in 46 fields and Master level degrees are offered in Music.

 Houghton announces a nationwide search to recruit an innovative and collaborative individual for the position of Vice President for Student Life. Reporting directly to the President and an integral member of the President’s cabinet, the Vice President for Student Life holds faculty membership and works closely with the Chief Academic Officer and Dean of the Chapel.

Job Responsibilities

The following positions will report directly to the Vice President for Student Life:  Assistant Dean of Residence Life and Programming, Dean of Students, the Center for Student Success, College Physician, and Title IX Coordinator.  Other areas including the Mosaic Multicultural Center, College Athletics, Director of Safety and Security, and Director of the Campus Store may report to the Vice President for Student Life depending on the qualifications of the successful candidate.  The Vice President for Student Life also serves as the Chief Diversity Officer at the College.

The Vice President for Student Life:

• Oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of plans consistent with the College’s vision and strategic goals as related to the Student Life mission
• Supervises the directors of the areas mentioned above and the Office of Student Life (OSL) administrative assistant
• Serves as one of the chief officers of the College and reports directly to the President
• Collaborates in providing professional development opportunities for student life staff members
• Ensures appropriate compliance with Title IX and other regulatory provisions
• Chairs and provides leadership and vision for the Student Life Council
• Works with the Dean of the Chapel on issues related to diversity and inclusion
• Interacts regularly with the president of the Student Government Association
• Serves as the primary resource person to the Board of Trustees committee on student life
• Represents student views to the College administration as charged by the College constitution.
• Oversees the student conduct process
• Prepares, implements and manages an annual operating budget
• Assumes other duties as assigned by the President

Job Qualifications 

• Christian faith that is reflected in one’s professional and personal life
• Doctoral degree in a relevant field
• Commitment and ability to articulate a Christian liberal arts philosophy and its implications for student life in the 21^st century
• Vision for student life consistent with the theological principles and hospitable approach of a college affiliated with the Wesleyan Church
• Demonstrated appreciation for the importance of creating and sustaining a learning environment that meets the needs of an increasingly diverse student body
• Demonstrated skills as an accomplished administrator and leader in a higher education setting
• Demonstrated ability to work with others as part of a leadership team
• Demonstrated skills in effective organizational and interpersonal communication