Description
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Associate Vice President of Student and Family Connections will provide strategic leadership in developing and implementing engagement initiatives that foster pride, connection, and belonging for the university amongst our students and their families. This role is responsible for promoting an environment and culture which enables students to navigate the Case Western Reserve University experience, achieve academic and scholarly success, and develop awareness and skills that allow them to lead in their chosen career field. Key responsibilities include driving strategic initiatives to demonstrate increased student engagement in cocurricular organizations, activities, and events, cultivating affinity-based networks, and expanding engagement opportunities in alignment with the university's mission and strategic goals. The associate vice president will serve as a key advocate for students and family engagement, utilizing data-driven insights and industry best practices to inform strategy and assess program effectiveness. Close collaboration with senior leadership, faculty, and external partners is essential to integrating these efforts into broader institutional priorities. This position will also provide leadership in the university's first-year experience and transition programs, working across departments to support student retention, satisfaction, and persistence from the first year to graduation. The associate vice president will oversee key first-year success initiatives including Collegiate Connections Peer Mentoring, the Common Reading Program, and the Posse Scholars Program. This role will serve as a central point of contact for engaging faculty, staff, students, and families in efforts that enhance the student experience and strengthen connections with the university.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provide strategic leadership and program development. Design and implement comprehensive student and family engagement strategies to enhance lifelong relationships with the university. Provide visionary leadership to advance the university's affinity networks, family programs, and student and family volunteer engagement efforts, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities. Develop and execute strategic plans for increasing participation through affinity-based outreach, organizations and groups, and campus and regional initiatives. Spearhead cross-campus collaborations to ensure that affinity and family programs are seamlessly integrated into university-wide engagement strategies. Provide leadership for first-year student transition efforts through the design of a cohesive first-year experience strategy in collaboration with campus partners, focused on retention, persistence, and student satisfaction. Develop and assess practices that support students, particularly those most at risk of separating from the university, in successfully navigating their academic, social, and emotional transition into college life. (25%)
Provide parent and family programs. Design and implement robust outreach initiatives that actively engage parents and families as integral contributors to student success. Oversee the development and execution of key family-focused events, including student affairs¿ roles in orientation programs, Parent and Family Weekend, and year-round engagement efforts. Develop and nurture philanthropic opportunities that encourage families to contribute meaningfully to university priorities. Coordinate parent/family communications and engagement throughout the student life cycle. Establish strong partnerships with departments across campus to ensure families are informed, included, and able to support their students effectively. Serve as a central liaison between the university and families, managing concerns, providing resources, and promoting connection. (25%)
Provide stakeholder engagement and leadership development. Provide the vice president for student affairs and university development partners with direct support, advising, and guidance to the development and stewardship of family councils, ensuring leadership succession planning and engagement sustainability. Create and implement a structured model for student affinity/leadership and family volunteer training and recognition, enhancing long-term engagement and leadership development. Collaborate with academic and administrative leaders to ensure that alumni and family engagement is integrated into broader university initiatives. Develop and support opportunities for faculty engagement in the first-year experience, including academic and co-curricular workshops, events, and mentorship initiatives. Collaborate across units to build a network of faculty and staff partners contributing to student transition and success. (20%)
Oversee the newly created Spartan Connections Hub--a space for students to find community, engage in activities and organizations of interest, and be supported; a space for well-being and growth; a space for students to connect and succeed--which includes the following departments: Office of Student Activities and Leadership, Office of Multicultural Affairs, LGBT Center, Flora Stone Mather Center for Women Director for Education and Programming (dotted line), Interreligious Council, International Student Resources & Engagement, Graduate Student Life, and the Greek Life Office. Lead collaboration and integration of programming across these offices to foster inclusive, connected, and values-based communities. (25%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Oversee operations and finance. Direct and manage the operational and financial aspects of the Student and Family Connections portfolio within the Division of Student Affairs, ensuring effective resource allocation. Oversee performance metrics, data analysis, and reporting on the impact of affinity and family engagement initiatives. Provide high-level oversight and mentorship to staff within the Student and Family Connections team. Evaluate retention and persistence data in collaboration with Student Affairs leadership to inform programming decisions, develop reports, and ensure measurable progress toward institutional student success goals. Identify and pursue opportunities for new and increased revenue, including grant identification and proposal writing. (5%)
Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)
CONTACTS
Department: Regular contact with division leadership and direct reports for leadership, supervision, and collaboration.
University: Collaboration and contact with other administrative areas, such as Campus Enrichment and Engagement, Campus Services, senior staff in academic units, and faculty in concert with the vice president for student affairs as required to perform essential functions.
External: Contact with parents and families, alumni, donors, outside vendors and community members as required to perform essential functions.
Students: Contact with students/student volunteers as required to perform essential functions, including first- and second-year students, peer mentors, and student leaders in family and affinity programs.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Directly supervise directors (Student Activities and Leadership, Multicultural Affairs, LGBT Center, Flora Stone Mather Center (dotted line), International Student Support Resources, Graduate Student Life, and Greek Life). Indirect supervision of ~20 professional and clerical staff, as well as student and family volunteers involved with mentoring and family programs.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 10 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs, family programs, higher education, or a related field. Demonstrated expertise in developing large-scale student affinity and family engagement programs, as well as transition and retention-based initiatives. Proven success in strategic planning, leading teams, and experience working with high-level university leadership, boards, and committees.
Education: Master's degree required.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Proven ability to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive engagement strategies that align with institutional goals and drive meaningful student and family involvement.
Demonstrated experience with student retention, persistence planning, and first-year experience models.
Strong analytical skills with experience utilizing data insights, industry trends, and best practices to inform decision-making, assess program impact, and drive continuous improvement.
Exceptional ability to build and sustain relationships with stakeholders, including students, families, alumni, university leadership, faculty, donors, and volunteers.
Expertise in structuring, training, and managing student, alumni, and family volunteer networks, ensuring effective leadership pipelines and long-term engagement.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the university in high-profile settings and deliver compelling presentations to various audiences.
Experience planning and executing large-scale events, such as university tradition events, parent and family weekends, orientation initiatives, and mentoring programs.
Strong organizational and execution skills, with the ability to oversee multiple complex initiatives, set priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated ability to recruit, mentor, and develop high-performing teams, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a broad range of students and is committed to fostering a respectful and supportive learning environment that promotes academic success for all.
Experience working across academic and administrative units to integrate student and family programming into university priorities.
Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
Ability to meet consistent attendance.
Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
WORKING CONDITIONS
General office environment, occasional travel required for family engagement events. Frequent evening and weekend commitments to implement and support university programming.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 10 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs, family programs, higher education, or a related field. Demonstrated expertise in developing large-scale student affinity and family engagement programs, as well as transition and retention-based initiatives. Proven success in strategic planning, leading teams, and experience working with high-level university leadership, boards, and committees.
Education: Master's degree required.
