Logo:

Posting Number:

STA00114PO25

Job Family:

Student Enrichment

Job Function:

Student Life

USC Market Title:

Associate Vice President for Student Life

Link to USC Market Title:

https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/133989

Job Level:

E2 - Directors and Executives

Business Title (Internal Title):

AVP for Student Life

Campus:

Columbia

Work County:

Richland

College/Division:

Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support

Department:

SAAS Student Life

State Pay Band:

Unclassified

Approved Starting Salary:

$140,485

Advertised Salary Range:

$140,485 -Salary commensurate with qualifications

Part/Full Time:

Full Time

Hours per Week:

37.5

Work Schedule:

The standard weekly work hours may vary and are not always the typical 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM schedule.
Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Basis :

12 months

Job Search Category:

Student Services

About University of South Carolina:

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Advertised Job Summary:

Associate Vice President for Student Life

• Are you a visionary leader with a passion for cultivating a meaningful and engaging student experience through dynamic programs and strategic partnerships?
• Do you excel in crisis management and issue resolution, ensuring student accountability while fostering a supportive learning environment?
• Are you skilled in collaborating across campus to enhance student recruitment, retention, and success through purposeful engagement initiatives?
• Do you have the expertise to navigate complex student governance issues and manage community relations while upholding the university’s mission and values?

The Associate Vice President for Student Life facilitates a superior student experience through student engagement in positive and purposeful activities, assessment of programs and services, and effective partnerships within and beyond the university. The Associate Vice President is an educator and seeks opportunities to strengthen student growth and development through teachable moments and student accountability. As the key contact for student issue management and resolution, the AVP is an important member of the University’s emergency management team. The Associate Vice President manages the administration of all policies, programs, services, facilities, and budgets within the Department of Student Life and leads a dynamic staff.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Leadership & Supervision: Oversee a large and diverse staff, including 82 full-time and 600 part-time employees, ensuring effective recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance management.
• Student Engagement & Program Development: Enhance student engagement by assessing and refining student life programs and services based on data, national best practices, and institutional priorities.
• Issue Resolution & Risk Management: Address complex student issues related to governance, policies, multicultural affairs, and campus activities while mitigating risks in high-profile areas.
• Collaboration & Campus Partnerships: Work with academic leadership, enrollment services, and student organizations to support student recruitment, retention, and success.
• Community & External Relations: Serve as the university’s liaison for student-related matters with neighborhood associations, media, government agencies, parents, and religious organizations.
• Student Government Advisement: Guide and support student leaders in developing initiatives and projects that align with the university’s mission and resources.
• Crisis Management & Emergency Response: Play a critical role in university crisis management teams, ensuring effective response to student-related emergencies and campus-wide incidents.

The ideal candidate for the Associate Vice President for Student Life position will possess:

• A doctorate in higher education administration or a related field.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration.
• Proven experience supervising a large and diverse staff, including full-time and part-time employees.
• Strong ability to lead, develop, and support student leaders and staff across multiple departments.
• Skilled in issue resolution, risk mitigation, and managing sensitive student affairs matters.
• Deep understanding of student engagement and development principles.
• Experience in designing and assessing student life programs that enhance student success.
• Ability to create an inclusive and supportive environment for a broad student population.
• Demonstrated ability to work across campus divisions to support student retention and engagement.
• Experience fostering partnerships with academic departments, campus leadership, and external stakeholders.
• Strong decision-making skills with a data-informed approach to program development.
• Expertise in crisis management and emergency response within a university setting.
• Knowledge of legal issues affecting campus life and student behavior.
• Ability to manage community relations, including partnerships with local agencies, media, and neighborhood associations.

This individual will play a critical role in shaping a vibrant, student-centered campus culture while ensuring best practices in student affairs administration.

Comprehensive Benefits & Options:
Insurance Coverage
Build the coverage package that fits your life with medical, vision, dental, life, cancer, hospital confinement, auto and home.

Retirement Plans
Eligible employees can opt to join the South Carolina Retirement System’s traditional pension program or the State Optional Retirement Program.

Leave and Holidays
Along with paid holidays, most employees accrue sick and annual leave, and others can access leave with pay or time off for a sabbatical.

Professional Development
Access professional, leadership or personal development programs that can enhance your workplace skills or quality of life.

Employee Wellness Programs
Access programs which can include health management, nutrition, access to campus wellness facilities, counseling and more.

Additional Benefits
Take a college level course for free each term, purchase reduced-cost tickets, access adoption assistance, dependent scholarships and more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BALBcUSl7ck

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience:

Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and at least 12 years of job related experience, including some prior management experience. Typically reports to a VP.

Preferred Qualifications:

Doctorate in higher education administration or related field and 10 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Knowledgeable and skilled in overseeing a wide range of student life programs and services is necessary. Ability to supervise a large and diverse staff, working directly with student leaders, coordinating the resolution of complex and sensitive issues, and effectively managing risk in highly visible areas such as Greek life is essential. Must have a knowledge of legal issues affecting campus life and student behavior, as well as best practices and emerging trends.

Job Duty:

Supervision: Is directly or indirectly responsible for recruitment, selection, hiring, onboarding, training, developing, coaching, recognition and performance management of all staff within the areas of Multicultural Student Affairs, Student Government & Organizations, Student Media, Off-Campus Student Services, Parents Programs, and the Russell House University Union.

Essential Function:

Yes

Percentage of Time:

20

Job Duty:

Issue Management and Resolution: Provides issue management and resolution for situations involving student governance, University policies related to student life, student multicultural issues, and student activities and programs. The significance of effective resolution and risk mitigation to the university is considerable and the ability to support a learning environment with education, teachable moments and accountability is essential.

Essential Function:

Yes

Percentage of Time:

20

Job Duty:

Cultivation of Superior Student Experience: Reviews student life programs and services to improve and advance student engagement in meaningful and purposeful activities. Revises programs and services based upon assessment data and national best practices. Ensures that programs and services are contributing to positive student engagement and student success.

Essential Function:

Yes

Percentage of Time:

15

Job Duty:

Work collaboratively across campus to provide support and services that create an environment to ensure successful assimilation to campus that serves as a basis for a supportive campus environment. Partner with Enrollment Services on initiatives related to the recruitment and retention of a broad student population. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, campus administrative leadership, and faculty. Collaborative with academic departments, Deans, Directors, and other key campus partners to support university initiatives.

Essential Function:

Yes

Percentage of Time:

15

Job Duty:

Student Life Relationship Management: Manages community relations related to student matters on behalf of the University through contact with local neighborhood associations, appropriate state and local agencies, parents, registered religious workers, and news media. Responds to sensitive legislative and media requests in coordination with University Communications.

Essential Function:

Yes

Percentage of Time:

10

Job Duty:

Advisement: Works directly with Student Government officers to advise and inform their plans for proposed initiatives and projects. Must manage the delicate balance of supporting the needs and demands of student leaders within the greater context of the University’s mission, goals and resources.

Essential Function:

Yes

Percentage of Time:

10

Job Duty:

Crisis Management: Serves as an integral part of the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support and University crisis response and crisis management teams.

Essential Function:

Yes

Percentage of Time:

10

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive:

No

Hazardous weather category:

Essential

Number of Vacancies:

1

Desired Start Date:

07/01/2025

Job Open Date:

02/14/2025

Job Close Date:

04/01/2025

Open Until Filled:

No

Special Instructions to Applicant:

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.We are only accepting applications submitted by April 1, 2025.The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.

Quicklink for Posting:

https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/183205

EEO Statement:

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.