Senior Vice Provost for Student Success (SVPSS)

Penn State University • University Park, IL

10d

About The Position

Penn State seeks a visionary, collaborative, and results-oriented leader to serve as its inaugural Senior Vice Provost for Student Success (SVPSS). Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President and Provost, the SVPSS will serve as the University's chief strategist for student success and lead a comprehensive, institution-wide effort to improve student persistence, retention, graduation, career readiness, post-graduate success, and preparation for civic engagement.

The SVPSS will lead the new Office for Student Success, a central coordinating hub for existing and new student success functions. The role will develop and implement a university-wide strategy; establish shared goals and accountability measures; strengthen collaboration across colleges, campuses, and administrative units; and champion the effective use of data, analytics, and emerging technologies to improve student outcomes. The SVPSS will also advance coordinated advising and student support, structured academic pathways, high-impact learning, career readiness, and equitable access to opportunities across Penn State's multi-campus community.

The successful candidate will bring substantial experience engaging the academic enterprise and advancing student success in partnership with faculty, staff, and academic leadership. Penn State seeks a strategic and highly respected leader with demonstrated success leading complex organizations and large-scale change; building partnerships and consensus; using data and evidence to guide decisions; and translating vision into measurable results. Candidates should demonstrate a deep commitment to student achievement, access, belonging, and equitable outcomes, along with integrity, sound judgment, strong communication skills, and an earned doctorate or equivalent terminal degree.

The position is open to candidates from a variety of professional backgrounds. Penn State is also open to considering a tenured faculty appointment for candidates whose academic credentials, scholarly accomplishments, and experience support such an appointment, consistent with University policies.

Requirements

• Substantial experience engaging the academic enterprise and advancing student success in partnership with faculty, staff, and academic leadership.
• Demonstrated success leading complex organizations and large-scale change.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and consensus.
• Experience using data and evidence to guide decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to translate vision into measurable results.
• Deep commitment to student achievement, access, belonging, and equitable outcomes.
• Integrity, sound judgment, and strong communication skills.
• Earned doctorate or equivalent terminal degree.
• Successful completion of background checks, including a credit history check.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle as part of job duties, with a valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check.

Nice To Haves

• Academic credentials, scholarly accomplishments, and experience that support consideration for a tenured faculty appointment, consistent with University policies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the University's chief strategist for student success.
• Lead a comprehensive, institution-wide effort to improve student persistence, retention, graduation, career readiness, post-graduate success, and preparation for civic engagement.
• Lead the new Office for Student Success, a central coordinating hub for existing and new student success functions.
• Develop and implement a university-wide student success strategy.
• Establish shared goals and accountability measures.
• Strengthen collaboration across colleges, campuses, and administrative units.
• Champion the effective use of data, analytics, and emerging technologies to improve student outcomes.
• Advance coordinated advising and student support, structured academic pathways, high-impact learning, career readiness, and equitable access to opportunities across Penn State's multi-campus community.
• Engage the academic enterprise and advance student success in partnership with faculty, staff, and academic leadership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree