Job Details

Associate Vice President for Engagement, Student Affairs

Position Number: 6645762
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Position Type: Student Affairs and Services

Associate Vice President for Engagement, Student Affairs

Job ID: 291115
Location: Kennesaw, Georgia
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower our 47,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come Take Flight at KSU!

Location

Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Department Information

The AVP reports directly to the Vice President for Student Affairs and provides strategic oversight and vision for the departments of Student Engagement and Support, Parent and Family Programs, Student Leadership, and Student Activities. This role emphasizes measurable outcomes and a clear focus on advancing student development and success (specific departments may change as needed).

DEPARTMENT-SPECIFIC TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Provides strategic leadership and oversight for a comprehensive student engagement portfolio, ensuring that programs, initiatives, and events are intentionally designed, inclusive, and aligned with student needs
2. Encourages innovation in student programming that reflects the energy, leadership, and positive impact of KSU's student body
3. Ensures effective planning, execution, and assessment of programs and services with a clear focus on advancing student success
4. Partners with university stakeholders to integrate co-curricular programming into the broader student success framework
5. Fosters campus traditions that enrich the student experience, promote school spirit, and build community
6. Leads strategic initiatives to create revenue and external funding opportunities to enhance support for programs and initiatives
7. Leverage the support of parents and families to support student engagement and success

Job Summary

The Associate Vice President (AVP) for Student Affairs is a key leader within the Division, providing strategic direction and oversight for a comprehensive student engagement portfolio. The AVP
ensures programs, initiatives, and events are intentionally designed and responsive to student needs, while leading and managing staff who develop initiatives that foster student success.

While this position will remain open until filled, priority will be given to applications received prior to November 7, 2025.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to us sharing your personal information with Spelman Johnson, a third-party search firm engaged to assist with our recruitment process. This firm will review your application materials and may contact you directly for screening purposes. Your information will be handled in accordance with all applicable data protection laws and our privacy policy. Applications can also be submitted directly to Spelman Johnson at https://spelmanandjohnson.com/position/associate-vice-president-for-engagement/

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Provides overall vision, leadership, and direction to develop and sustain a student-centered team and program within the Division and University, delivering initiatives that promote student success
2. Leads and provides direct and indirect supervision of professional staff who are responsible for initiatives and resources for multiple departments, as directed by leadership
3. Through centralized communication with campus partners, oversees the coordination and collaborative efforts among the various offices of the Division of Student Affairs, Auxiliary Services, Academic Deans, and other colleagues
4. Provides leadership in the areas of planning, human resources, policy development, operational, facility, and budgetary aspects for all reporting units
5. Continuously evaluate assigned areas to drive ongoing improvements, implement necessary changes, and introduce new interventions or services as needed
6. Engages in ongoing benchmarking of best practices to ensure strong evidence-based services and programs
7. Develops short- and long-term goals for the areas of direct supervision to successfully implement and achieve Divisional goals and objectives
8. Defines measurable outcomes for programs and services, assesses results, and prepares reports as needed
9. Ensures compliance with local, state, and/or federal agencies as related to the programs and services within the offices
10. Leads strategic initiatives that advance division priorities as outlined by the Vice President

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements
Master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in Student Affairs, Higher Education Leadership, Behavioral Sciences, or other related fields

Required Experience
Ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience in higher education in the practice of University/College Student Affairs, to include rising levels of responsibility within the field

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated success in managing complex student-focused programs and initiatives
Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams and managing large-scale programs and events

Preferred Educational Qualifications
Terminal degree, such as a PhD, EdD, or JD, in a related field of study

Preferred Experience
Previous experience in senior student affairs leadership

Proposed Salary

The salary range is $120,00 to $130,000 per year. Offers are based on relevant experience.

Comprehensive benefits to include Medical, Dental, Vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation, generous retirement plans, tuition waiver, wellness options, and much more! Visit hr.kennesaw.edu/benefits.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES
Experience and/or ability to support students and staff from a variety of diverse backgrounds and perspectives
Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as required by the Vice President
Able to lead and serve on divisional and university committees
Able to multitask and handle high-stress situations
Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time, meeting assigned deadlines
Proven leadership in developing and implementing student-focused initiatives, fostering collaboration, and guiding others toward shared goals.
Able to serve as a member of the Student Affairs senior leadership team.

KNOWLEDGE
Understanding and/or experience with engaging students in co-curricular activities
Identifies, develops, and implements programs that are innovative, engaging, and aligned with student success.
Management experience in staff development, budgeting, research, and customer service
Serves as a member of the Student Affairs senior leadership team.

SKILLS
Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem-solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management, and presentation skills
Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)
Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills
Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, eeo@kennesaw.edu.

Other Information

This is a supervisory position.
This position has financial responsibilities.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time
This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

Standard Enhanced
Education

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening
results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.

https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf

To apply, visit https://careers.hprod.onehcm.usg.edu/psp/careers/CAREERS/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=43000&JobOpeningId=291115&PostingSeq=1