Colby College, among the oldest and most prestigious liberal arts colleges in the United States, seeks a vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid to provide leadership in enrollment planning, student recruitment, admission, and financial aid. The vice president will also help shape and communicate consistent messages about the College as part of a coordinated institution-wide marketing program and work closely with the president and other members of Colby’s senior staff to provide leadership for the institution as a whole. The vice president reports to the president and oversees a staff of 23 in admissions and financial aid. To see the detailed position specification, click here.
The College: Colby has approximately 1850 students representing nearly all 50 states, 14 percent are students of color, and 47 foreign countries are represented in the student body. Admission is highly selective. More than 94 percent of Colby students live on campus. Colby competes in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), comprised of 11 highly selective liberal arts colleges: Amherst, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Connecticut College, Hamilton, Middlebury, Trinity, Tufts, Wesleyan, and Williams.
Colby has a long tradition of sound financial management. The market value of Colby’s endowment as of June 30, 2010 was approximately $500 million. Colby’s just-concluded fund raising campaign raised $370 million. The College is guided by its strategic plan, The Plan for Colby, which is updated on a regular basis.
For more information about the College, visit www.colby.edu, where you will find links to Colby’s core values statement, the Colby Fact Book, the strategic plan, articles and speeches by President William D. Adams, and a lively set of web pages “by students, for students” called insideColby.
Location: Colby’s campus of more than 700 acres is—by virtue of campus design, setting, and architecture—widely considered one of the most attractive campuses in the nation. With more than 60 buildings, 50 acres of playing fields, an arboretum, and a picturesque pond, Colby’s spacious campus overlooks the historic city of Waterville and the Kennebec River valley. Natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and rich traditions abound throughout Maine, which, like the College, has been at the center of the modern environmental movement. Waterville is located just 20 minutes from the state capital of Augusta and 75 minutes from Portland’s energy and amenities. The scenic and recreational splendors of the mountains and the coast are nearby.
Qualifications: Candidates for this position should have exceptional communication skills, innovative ideas, and a record of success in shaping the academic profile of entering classes. Experience in the areas of marketing, financial aid, and recruitment technology is expected, as is knowledge of the current generation of students. An advanced degree and understanding of selective college admissions is preferred. The College seeks candidates with strong analytical skills, creativity, skill in team-building and mentoring, an appreciation for the liberal arts, and a commitment to diversity in all forms. The ideal candidate will also have the ability to engage the College community in thoughtful discussion and deliberation regarding enrollment issues.
To Apply: Lahti Search Consultants is assisting Colby College with this search. Nominations, inquiries, and applications (including a resume and letter of interest) may be submitted, in confidence, to:
| Terry Lahti | Richard J. Cook |
| Lahti Search Consultants | Lahti Search Consultants |
| terry@lahtisearch.com | richard@lahtisearch.com |
Although resumes will be reviewed until the position is filled, for assurance of full consideration, please submit materials before September 10. Formal interviews are anticipated in October, with an expected start date of June 2011. If you wish to have a confidential conversation about this opportunity, please contact Terry Lahti (terry@lahtisearch.com) or Richard Cook (richard@lahtisearch.com).
Colby is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, committed to excellence through diversity, and strongly encourages applications and nominations of persons of color, women, and members of other under-represented groups. For more information about the College, please visit www.colby.edu.