Santa Clara University, a highly selective, comprehensive, private Jesuit, Catholic university, in the heart of Silicon Valley, seeks a Vice Provost for Enrollment Management. This newly delineated leadership role presents an opportunity to serve as the chief strategist in redefining and enhancing the University’s integrated enrollment management plan of action. The vice provost will report to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and will oversee the offices of admissions and financial aid with a combined staff of 35.
Santa Clara University was founded in 1851 by the Society of Jesus and is California’s oldest operating institution of higher education. Located on the site of the Santa Clara de Asis Mission, the beautifully landscaped campus serves as an academic oasis in the midst of Silicon Valley. The university enrolls approximately 8,500 students, of which 4,800 are undergraduates. Excellent academic programs in arts and sciences, business, and engineering as well as recognized programs in the graduate and professional schools of business, law, engineering, pastoral ministries, counseling psychology, and education have resulted in Santa Clara’s ranking as the No. 2 comprehensive master’s university in the West by U.S. News & World Report. The first-year retention rate of 93%, the 5-year undergraduate graduation rate of 85%, and a student faculty ratio of 12:1 emphasize the commitment to engaged student learning and success in a rigorous academic environment. Student engagement and involvement in the campus and community reflect the University’s commitment to educating leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion. Lauded by Princeton Review, Business Week and Kaplan, and under the leadership of new President Michael Engh, S.J., Santa Clara is ideally poised to move from being an excellent university to being a nationally prominent university. The new vice provost will be a key player in this transformation.
The vice provost serves on the University Planning Action Council, the President’s Cabinet, the Administrative Leadership Group, and other University committees appropriate to the position. She or he will engage academic leaders, faculty, administrators, and staff on the campus as well as alumni and key constituents of the extended University community to enroll undergraduate students who will benefit and thrive in this distinctive academic environment. The new vice provost will also be charged with developing strategic enrollment models to assist in institutional planning as well as with executing a clearly defined enrollment plan to meet the goals and expectations of the University. Deploying financial aid resources to meet the needs of both new and continuing students is a critical element in implementing the enrollment plan. In collaboration with the Office of Marketing and Communications, the vice provost will play a key role in the refinement and implementation of the University’s integrated marketing plan that presents its core messages and competitive advantages.
The successful candidate will possess the ability to communicate the unique benefits of a Jesuit University and its educational mission, have an analytical approach to data-supported decision making, demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, and have a record of significant success in enrollment management at the undergraduate level. Experience with the strategic utilization of financial aid leveraging and proven ability to shape the incoming class to meet institutional expectations are also essential. Other qualifications and attributes include a sense of the future opportunities for the institution, a proven commitment to diversity in the broadest sense, success in identifying and successfully penetrating new markets, knowledge of the most contemporary enrollment management practices, an understanding of current and emerging technology related to recruitment and communication, and extensive experience in managing, motivating, and inspiring staff. An advanced degree is preferred.
Santa Clara University is being assisted in this search by Lahti Search Consultants (www.lahtisearch.com) who will be pleased to provide additional information about the search and the process. Review of resumes will begin in April with an anticipated start date in the summer of 2009. All inquiries, nominations, and conversations about this opportunity will remain confidential. If you wish to apply, please send a resume and cover letter by email to:
Sandy Ware
Lahti Search Consultants
sandraware@earthlink.net
817.456.5877
Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to excellence through diversity, and, in this spirit, particularly welcomes applications from women, persons of color, and members of historically underrepresented groups. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with a disability.