Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs

Nevada System of Higher Education

1d

About The Position

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs. This is a renewable, full-time, non-tenured, administrative position and reports to the Chancellor. The position may be primarily located in either Reno or Las Vegas, Nevada. The NSHE is comprised of eight institutions: two universities, a state college, four community colleges and a research institute. The public system of higher education in Nevada continues to experience growth with significant challenges and opportunities in serving over 105,000 students and 15,000 employees. The Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs serves as the chief academic and student affairs executive for NSHE, responsible for setting strategic direction, driving systemwide policy, and ensuring accountable implementation of initiatives that advance academic quality, student success, and research competitiveness. As a key member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet, the Vice Chancellor exercises enterprise-level leadership and decision-making authority, advising the Chancellor and Board of Regents on high-impact academic, student, and research policy issues. The role is accountable not only for policy development, but for translating strategy into execution across all NSHE institutions, ensuring consistency, compliance, and measurable outcomes. This position leads the design and implementation of systemwide initiatives spanning academic programs, transfer and articulation, student services, financial aid, and research administration. The Vice Chancellor actively identifies emerging risks and opportunities, develops actionable solutions, and drives coordinated responses across multiple institutions and stakeholders. The Vice Chancellor also ensures NSHE remains responsive to national trends and evolving higher education demands by integrating data-driven insights into strategic planning and policy decisions. With direct oversight of Student Affairs, Sponsored Programs and EPSCoR, and Institutional Research, the Vice Chancellor holds full accountability for performance, outcomes, and alignment within these areas—ensuring effective operations, cross-functional integration, and continuous system improvement.

Requirements

• Requires a Master's or Professional Degree and 7 years of comparable managerial experience or a Doctorate and 5 years of comparable managerial experience.
• Knowledge of higher education policy, governance, and administration, including the operations of both community colleges and four-year institutions.
• Knowledge of academic program development, review, and approval processes within a multi-institution higher education system.
• Knowledge of student affairs policies and practices, including financial aid, residency determinations, and student success initiatives.
• Knowledge of research administration, sponsored programs, and federal and state research funding structures, including programs such as EPSCoR.
• Knowledge of institutional research, higher education data systems, and the use of data analytics to support policy development, accountability, and strategic planning.
• Knowledge of the role and responsibilities of a policy-making governing board and the staff functions required to support an elected governing board.
• Knowledge of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), including the structure, authority, and policies of the Board of Regents.
• Knowledge of Nevada state government, including the legislative process and state laws and regulations pertaining to higher education.
• Knowledge and experience in drafting policies, procedures, and guidelines within a complex organizational or governmental environment.
• Knowledge of statewide and national trends affecting higher education, including workforce development, access and attainment, and research competitiveness.
• Skill in providing executive leadership and strategic direction within a complex, multi-institution organization.
• Skill in supervising professional staff and directing multiple functional areas to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and accountability for outcomes.
• Skill in policy analysis and development, including evaluating complex issues and formulating effective systemwide policy recommendations.
• Skill in analyzing complex data, research findings, and policy information to inform strategic decision-making.
• Skill in synthesizing and communicating complex information, research findings, and policy implications to diverse audiences, including governing boards, policymakers, and the public.
• Skill in building consensus among diverse stakeholders with differing institutional perspectives and priorities.
• Skill in setting priorities and managing multiple high-level initiatives simultaneously while meeting critical deadlines.
• Skill in preparing and delivering presentations and policy briefings to executive leadership, legislative committees, and governing boards.
• Skill in fostering collaboration among institutions, state agencies, and external partners.
• Skill in identifying emerging policy, operational, or strategic issues and developing effective solutions to address complex challenges in a multi-institution higher education environment.
• Ability to exercise sound independent judgment and discretion in addressing complex policy and administrative issues.
• Ability to provide leadership and strategic oversight for multiple programs and functional areas.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral forms with executive leadership, policymakers, institutional leaders, and the public.
• Ability to present complex policy and technical information clearly and effectively in public settings.
• Ability to analyze large volumes of complex information and identify key issues, trends, and implications for decision-making.
• Ability to translate complex research, policy, and data analysis into actionable recommendations.
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships with institutional leaders, faculty, staff, state officials, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to facilitate discussion and build consensus among diverse constituencies across the higher education system.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and operate effectively in high-visibility and high-stakes environments.
• Ability to ensure accuracy, integrity, and appropriate use of institutional data and information used for policy and decision-making.
• Ability to anticipate emerging issues, analyze potential impacts, and develop proactive strategies to resolve problems and advance systemwide priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive and strategic leadership, supervision, and administrative oversight of key functional areas within the NSHE System Office, including Student Affairs, Sponsored Programs and EPSCoR, and Institutional Research.
• Coordinate and lead cross-functional and cross-institutional initiatives, exercising sound judgment and decision-making authority to align efforts with system goals and priorities.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across NSHE institutions, while effectively communicating, influencing, and advising executive leadership and stakeholders.
• Promote and model data-informed and evidence-based decision-making to advance student success, research growth, and institutional effectiveness, and lead the development and implementation of strategic solutions to complex systemwide issues.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and executive liaison to the Academic, Research and Student Affairs (ARSA) Committee and other Board of Regents committees.
• Chair the Academic Affairs Council (AAC), providing strategic leadership and direction for systemwide academic planning and policy development.
• Chair the Student Affairs Council, providing executive leadership and strategic direction for systemwide student affairs policies and initiatives.
• Chair the Research Affairs Council, leading strategic planning and policy development to advance research across NSHE.
• Provide executive oversight and strategic leadership for the NSHE Sponsored Programs and EPSCoR Office.
• Ensure executive-level oversight and quality assurance of data reporting and analytics across the Academic and Student Affairs division.
• Provide strategic leadership and systemwide coordination related to the State’s higher education attainment goals.
• Provide executive oversight and strategic guidance for NSHE’s participation in SARA and membership in NC-SARA.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance. Additionally, an employer paid long term disability plan is included.
• Outstanding Retirement Plan: professional employees are required to participate in the 401(a) Retirement Plan Alternative (RPA). Employee contributions of 19.25% are matched 100% by the employer and employees experience an immediate vesting in the plan. Employees who currently or previously participated in Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) of Nevada may be eligible to continue in the PERS plan.
• Paid Leave: generous annual leave (accrual of 2 days per month), sick leave (granted 30 days at time of hire), 12 paid holidays, and paid family leave.
• Education Benefit: employees and their qualified dependents may take advantage of a tuition savings benefit.
• Additional Perks: Employee assistance programs and professional development opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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