Chief Student Affairs Officer

University of Louisiana Monroe•La, LA

About The Position

The Chief Student Affairs Officer reports to the President and works closely with other direct reports to the President. The officer serves as the primary advocate for students and campus life, engagement activities, and planning. The role provides leadership and oversight for assigned student affairs departments and programs, supports student success and institutional effectiveness, and helps ensure student services are effective, innovative, proactive, anticipatory, and responsive to student and community requirements. The assigned areas of oversight may change as a result of organizational needs.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited institution in education, educational leadership, student affairs, higher education, or another applicable field.
At least five years of professional experience in related work.
Previous experience working in a higher education setting.
Experience with budget management, identifying efficiencies, and budget reduction measures.
Experience working in a student services or student affairs office.
Supervisory experience.
Familiarity with relevant legal and governance issues at the campus, local, state, and federal levels.
Knowledge of student development theory.
Ability to use computer software to draft professional correspondence and other published works associated with the position.
Experience serving a broad range of student populations in a state university or similar setting.
Evidence of an energetic and innovative, student-centered approach to program development and delivery.
Availability to provide 24/7 responses to student situations; responses may be remote when applicable.
Ability to work evenings and weekends during fall and spring semesters with prior notice.

Nice To Haves

Doctorate degree from an accredited institution in education, educational leadership, student affairs, higher education, or another applicable field.
Over five years of professional experience in related work.
Experience as a department head in higher education.
Experience relating to student conduct procedures.
Knowledge of federal and state regulations, including the Clery Act, VAWA, Campus SAVE Act, Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act, Title IX, and Power-Based Violence.

Responsibilities

Serve as the university’s chief student affairs professional and primary advocate for students and campus life.
Provide guidance, oversight, and supervision of assigned student affairs departments, including Student Advocacy and Accountability, Counseling, Residential Life/Housing, Student Development, Accessibility Services, International Student Services, Antihazing, and Student Conduct.
Supervise directors and other staff in the assigned division, conduct annual evaluations, and support professional development.
Provide leadership during crises, including student mental health emergencies and campus safety events, and help coordinate the institutional response.
Manage budget allocations and fiscal oversight for assigned units, ensuring compliance with institutional financial requirements.
Lead division-wide assessment, design program evaluations, and report outcomes to the President.
Support the Institutional Effectiveness unit with accreditation matters related to student affairs, and compile assessment data and reports for reporting units.
Build collaborative relationships across departments to advance student success, including with auxiliary services, enrollment management, career services, and other student-related functions.
Develop and facilitate programs for students focused on advocacy, accountability, and awareness.
Ensure reporting-unit policies and practices provide fair and consistent treatment of students.
Assist with evaluating, creating, and updating campus policies applicable to students.
Periodically evaluate programs, services, procedures, and policies to ensure student services are effective and responsive to student and community requirements.
Provide vision and guidance for student engagement programs, including Freshman Convocation, Week of Welcome, Homecoming, Spring Fever, and Midnight Breakfast.
Explore innovative practices and field trends to help the university follow best practices.
Work with team members to establish civic-centered student initiatives that enhance the educational experience and further the ULM brand.
Network with campus professionals and student organizations to promote awareness of campus resources and support services, and network with peer professionals off campus.
Serve on university committees as assigned.
Participate in professional development activities on and off campus to maintain a satisfactory knowledge base.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.