Berea College is seeking a dynamic and student-centered leader to serve as The Vice President for Student Life (VPSL). This senior-level administrator will be responsible for shaping a holistic and engaging student experience that aligns with the institution's mission and values. Reporting to the President and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, the VPSL will oversee student engagement, residential life, counseling and wellness services, public safety, and student leadership development. 

The VPSL will collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to foster a vibrant, inclusive campus environment that promotes personal growth, well-being, and student success. To learn more about Berea College and this position, please click Here.

Your Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Student Engagement

• Develop and implement a vision for student life that enhances student engagement, leadership development, co-curricular learning.
• Oversee student government, student organizations, leadership programs, and campus traditions.
• Serve as a key advocate for student concerns and ensure that student voices are integrated into institutional decision-making.

Residential Life & Campus Culture

• Supervise housing and residence life programs, ensuring a safe, supportive, and engaging living-learning environment.
• Develop policies and initiatives that enhance the residential experience and foster a sense of belonging among students.
• Address student conduct and disciplinary matters in alignment with institutional policies and values.

Public Safety & Wellness Services

• Provide strategic leadership for campus public safety, emergency preparedness, and risk management.
• Oversee counseling, mental health services, and wellness initiatives to support student well-being.
• Ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, including Title IX, the Clery Act, and ADA accessibility requirements.

Institutional Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a key advisor to the President and senior leadership on matters related to student life.
• Work closely with academic affairs, admissions, and retention teams to support student success.
• Represent student life interests in Board of Trustees meetings, providing updates and strategic recommendations.
• Build partnerships with local community organizations, government agencies, and higher education networks.

What You'll Bring

Education require to ensure success in this position:

• Masters degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field (Doctorate preferred)

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive leadership experience in student affairs or related areas, preferably within a liberal arts college setting.

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Demonstrated expertise in student development, crisis management, and campus safety administration.
• Experience overseeing student support services, including counseling, wellness programs, and diversity initiatives.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations related to student life, including Title IX, Clery Act, FERPA, and ADA.
• Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships across institutional divisions.
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills.
• Experience in developing and implementing student-centered programs that enhance engagement and retention.
• A deep understanding of the role of student affairs in a liberal arts educational model.
• A commitment to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and supportive campus environment.       

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• Valid Drivers License

Physical Requirements:

• Sit for long periods and able to get from one building to another

Environmental Conditions:

• General office

Ability to operate the following vehicles or equipment:

• Standard office equipment

About Berea College

Founded in 1855, Berea College is nationally recognized as the first coeducational and interracial college in the South. Berea has a longstanding commitment to interracial education and is one of the most racially diverse private liberal arts colleges in the United States. With an emphasis on service to Appalachia and beyond, Berea enrolls more than 1,500 students from 46 states and U.S. territories and more than 70 countries. Berea College admits students who are unable to afford tuition and provides all of them with a no-tuition promise, valued at more than $204,000. Berea’s students excel in the College’s supportive yet demanding academic environment, and most are the first in their families to attend college. As one of only nine federally recognized Work Colleges, all Berea students are expected to work 10-12 hours weekly in various positions across campus. Berea College is listed #20 in overall ranking in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse college rankings, 2023. The Washington Monthly ranks Berea College #2 Best Liberal Arts College and #1 in Social Mobility, 2023. Money Magazine ranks Berea #20 Best Overall College and #10 for Best in the South, 2023. Berea Co...llege is also the only institution in Kentucky to receive the 5-Star Rating from Money Magazine, 2023. Located where the Bluegrass Region meets the Cumberland Mountains, the town of Berea (pop. 16,000) lies forty miles south of Lexington and is approximately two hours from Cincinnati, Louisville, and Knoxville. More information about Berea College is available at www.berea.edu. Berea College, in light of its mission in the tradition of impartial love and social equality, welcomes all people of the earth to learn and work here. Berea College is always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team. If you think you are ready to be a part of an exciting team, then we encourage you to continue with this applicant friendly, online job application! Berea College is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

Show more

Show less

Connections working at Berea College