The University of Montana invites applications for an Associate Vice Provost (AVP) to serve as the primary point of contact regarding academic and personal support programs for students and be responsible for comprehensive retention planning and initiatives. Working across administrative divisions and academic units, the AVP will build collaborative relationships and develop new campus initiatives in support of university enrollment and retention goals. The AVP is a critical voice and leader in the identification and development of proposals for external resources to support student success initiatives.
The AVP is a student affairs generalist with experience in successfully managing data-informed retention and completion programs. The AVP has interpersonal and professional skills to build bridges within and outside the university community to support enrollment goals. The AVP engages frequently with individual students and groups, is highly visible on campus and represents the university positively at events on and off campus.
- The AVP develops strategies for retention improvement, including:
- data collection/analysis/reporting
- faculty and staff involvement in planning and implementation of new programs
- evaluating existing and new interventions and programmatic opportunities
- guiding groups of staff and faculty toward shared goals supporting student success
- The AVP is a member of the divisional executive team and works closely with the dean of students and vice provost to facilitate strategies and assist divisional leadership in continual evolution.
- The AVP works directly with faculty, deans, and other academic personnel to assure that barriers to student academic success are eliminated and pathways to success are reinforced for students throughout their academic careers.
- The AVP engages administrative personnel across campus to remove non-academic barriers to student success and to enhance experiences demonstrated to promote student success.
- The AVP works closely with the Enrollment Management team assuring enrollment goals and strategies are supported with comprehensive student success initiatives designed to meet the specific needs of incoming students.
- The AVP actively engages with faculty through frequent committee attendance and outreach/collaboration to share retention strategies.
- The AVP provides frequent feedback on retention progress to Vice Provosts, Faculty Senate, and Cabinet.
- The AVP serves on campus-wide committees and working groups, and represents the Vice Provost as needed.
- The AVP shares responsibility with the VP for liaising with the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM), its agencies, and provides counsel to ASUM leadership as needed.
- The AVP provides leadership and management to student service units including The Office for Student Success (Undergraduate Advising Center, TRIO programs, Writing and Public Speaking Center, Tutoring, KPCN, Experiential Learning and Career Success, Office for Disability Equity, New Student Programs and First Year Experience, and is the divisional liaison with American Indian Student Services.
The University of Montana is committed to offering an inclusive and supportive workplace that is accessible to all. Given its location and the history of its land, UM has many focused initiatives to support Native and Indigenous employees and students and works to support the Indigenous communities in the region. The person in this position will help promote the unique place-based identity of UM and will help implement components of the University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan andfive priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always;" partner with place; and proudly tell the University of Montana story.
Position Details:
- Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE Montana University System Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
- Salary for this position is $130,000-140,000 per year commensurate with qualifications.
- Position start date is flexible and desired no later than July 1, 2024.
Required Qualifications:
- Master’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Five to seven (5-7) years’ experience working in a higher education setting, preferably in a Student Affairs generalist role
- Effective supervision, managing and leading teams
- Ability to comprehensively collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data to inform programmatic improvement and successful initiative implementation
- Working knowledge of best practices in student retention and completion programs
- Demonstrated skills necessary to provide exemplary and effective leadership and management for department leaders and their staff
- Demonstrated ability to work in a highly collaborative environment, fostering and developing working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders throughout the academic, administrative and student communities
- Ability to clearly articulate plans and detailed strategies
- Highly developed communication skills (including verbal, written, and interpersonal)
- Possess a steadfast commitment to diversity, maintaining an inclusive institutional environment, and a demonstrated ability to work closely and constructively with a wide variety of constituents
Preferred Qualifications:
About UM and Student Affairs:
As Montana’s flagship university, we set a high bar for academic studies, creative accomplishments and scientific exploration which benefits our students, our community and the world at large. Our institution sits in the aboriginal territories of the Salish and Kalispell people.
The University draws a diverse, global population to Missoula – our home and the state’s second-largest city with about 80,000 residents – and helps cultivate an educated, engaged and vibrant community. Our students receive a world-class education in a broad range of subjects that include the arts, sciences, trades, graduate and postdoctoral study and professional training.
Our main campus , nestled in the heart of western Montana’s stunning natural landscape, spans 56 acres at the base of Mount Sentinel and along the Clark Fork River, and includes the park-like Oval at the center of campus, more than 60 architecturally unique buildings and a 25,200-seat football stadium. UM's 180-acre South Campus offers student housing, a golf course, soccer fields and an outdoor track facility. Missoula College occupies two sites, one just across the river from the main campus, and one on the southwest side of Missoula.
UM is committed to accessible and inclusive education as the foundation of social and economic prosperity.
The Student Success and Campus Life sector focuses holistically on the student experience. We integrate the academic and extracurricular components of students' lives, for an outstanding student experience at the University of Montana.
To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.
Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment.
In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.
ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference.
Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.
References *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.
Testing Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.
Employment Eligibility. All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).
Must be eligible to work in the United State upon hire. Sponsorship is not available for this position.
How to Apply
Priority Application Date: Monday, February 12, 2024
Complete applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all of the following materials.
Please submit the following application materials** via the UM Jobs portal and by clicking "New Resume/CV" button. Please do not apply through Indeed.com*.
- Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
- Detailed resumelisting education and describing work experience.
- Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information.
*Applying through Indeed.com or easy apply through Indeed.com may result in submission of an incomplete application. Applications may be removed from full consideration if they are not complete with materials listed above under the "How to Apply" section. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure complete application materials are submitted and received by the date listed above.
**Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.
Missoula, Montana, United States