Deputy Commandant of LSU Corps of Cadets

Louisiana State University•Union, NJ

18d

About The Position

Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Deputy Commandant of LSU Corps of Cadets serves as a senior administrator responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of programs and initiatives that support the holistic growth, leadership development, and operational excellence of the Corps of Cadets. The Deputy Commandant is charged with ensuring the strategic alignment of the Corps with university policies, student success outcomes, and institutional values, while fostering cross-campus collaboration and external engagement. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THIS POSITION Provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all Corps of Cadets operations. Serve as chief liaison between the Corps and key university offices, including ROTC detachments, academic departments, LSU Foundation, and Student Affairs. Direct fundraising and development efforts in partnership with the LSU Foundation and alumni. Lead planning for cadet recruitment, scholarships, housing, and co-curricular learning experiences. Coordinate academic and leadership development opportunities, including oversight of a proposed Center for Leadership Development. Represent the Corps of Cadets at official university events and with key external stakeholders, including veteran, civic, and alumni organizations. Oversee discipline, honor code processes, and student support services related to the Corps. OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP Design a Nationally Recognized Student Leadership Program LSU’s renewed Corps of Cadets provides a singular opportunity to design and scale a leadership development program modeled on best practices from institutions like Texas A&M and Virginia Tech. The Deputy Commandant will shape this vision and bring it to life. Lead LSU’s Recommitment to National Service With national demand growing for military officers, cybersecurity experts, and public servants, the Deputy Commandant will have the opportunity to build meaningful partnerships with the Department of Defense, federal agencies, and academic units to respond to this national need. Drive Academic Innovation through a New Curriculum The Deputy Commandant will collaborate on the development of a proposed minor and certificate program in National Defense Leadership Development—blending military training with interdisciplinary coursework to prepare students for careers in service, government, or private industry. ATTRIBUTES OF THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE Be a mission-driven leader who puts institutional and student priorities above personal credit or recognition. Demonstrate a record of effective military leadership with the ability to translate those experiences to a higher education setting. Possess strong organizational and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to manage complex partnerships and develop innovative programs from the ground up. Be a collaborative leader and excellent communicator who can build consensus across diverse constituencies. Thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment with an ability to adapt, build, and iterate toward excellence. Bring a deep appreciation for the role of military and civic leadership in shaping our nation, and a commitment to developing the next generation of public servants. ABOUT THE DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS PRIORITIES Three priorities guide our work in the Division of Student Affairs. Foremost, we maintain a commitment to quality which is rooted in the belief that LSU students deserve our best effort. Every interaction we have with students should communicate care, relevance, polish, and attention to detail. We work to ensure every space, place, and staff-to-student interaction communicates a sense of home to students. Finally, we design programs, services, events, and experiences with everyone in mind .

Requirements

Master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education and at least 7 years of experience.
Demonstrated history of progressive leadership and organizational management.
LSU values skills, experience, and expertise. Candidates who have relevant experience in key job responsibilities are encouraged to apply— a degree is not required as long as the candidate meets the required years of experience specified in the job description.

Nice To Haves

Retired military officer in the grade of O-5 or higher (e.g., Lieutenant Colonel, Commander, or above) with 20+ years of experience.
Command experience in an organization commensurate with the responsibilities of an O-5 or higher.
Experience working within or alongside undergraduate and graduate university systems.
Demonstrated familiarity with Corps of Cadets or similar military-style leadership programs.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership for the Corps of Cadets, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and standards.
Responsible for overall quality, effectiveness, and continuous improvement of Corps programs.
Interprets and executes university, divisional, and departmental policy to maintain the Corps as a signature student organization within the Division of Student Affairs.
Oversees day-to-day operations, personnel management, and stewardship of facilities and resources assigned to the department.
Serves as the principal liaison between the Corps and key university units including Admissions, Financial Aid, Residential Life, Veterans Affairs, Military & Veteran Student Center, and Student Advocacy and Accountability.
Builds and maintains strategic relationships with military and veteran organizations including the Navy ROTC at Southern University, Cadets of the Ole War Skule, and other alumni-based support networks.
Oversees all aspects of fiscal planning and resource stewardship for the department.
Leads development and implementation of fundraising strategies in partnership with the LSU Foundation.
Ensures responsible use of funds to support Corps operations, programming, scholarships, and strategic initiatives.
Provides direction for the creation and implementation of leadership development initiatives, including the establishment of a Center for Leadership Development.
Collaborates with academic colleges, the Office of Research, and the School of Leadership & Human Resource Development to integrate Corps programming with university-wide curricular and co-curricular opportunities, including cybersecurity education.
Designs and leads a comprehensive recruitment and retention strategy for the Corps of Cadets.
Develops outreach initiatives, marketing campaigns, and partnerships to attract and retain high-quality student leaders.
Contributes to the academic mission of the university through instruction of undergraduate and/or graduate courses.
Participates in educational programming and maintains regular office hours.
Advise student organizations or engage in co-curricular learning initiatives in support of student success.
Represents the Corps of Cadets at university-wide events and serves as a visible advocate for student leadership, civic responsibility, and service.
Designs and implements events and philanthropic initiatives that connect cadets with the broader LSU and Baton Rouge communities.
Supports university and division-wide initiatives including but not limited to Welcome Week, Family Weekend, Commencement, and other special projects that contribute to the student experience and institutional mission.

Benefits

LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!
Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance.
Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

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