Reporting to the Vice Provost for Student Affairs, the Assistant Vice Provost (AVP) for Student Engagement and Belonging plays a critical role in advancing the Division of Student Affairs’ strategic vision, mission, and goals. The AVP for Student Engagement and Belonging works in strategic partnership with students, campus departments, and the community to promote student engagement and success through integrated student engagement programs at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The AVP assists the Vice Provost for Student Affairs in the management of student programs and services which foster a sense of belonging to increase growth, retention, and student success rates through co-curricular learning and campus connectivity.
The Assistant Vice Provost for Student Engagement and Belonging provides expertise in the areas of student engagement and sense of belonging (theory and practice) to support the design and implementation of developmentally appropriate, high-impact involvement and learning opportunities for diverse student populations. The AVP provides leadership and oversight of divisional staff in Campus Recreation, Student Involvement, Residential Life and Housing, Millennium Student Center, and Event Services; and is also responsible for several key divisional initiatives including the campus-wide co-curricular engagement model, student employee curriculum, and first-generation student support. The AVP and their designated units respond to emergent issues and provide problem-solving assistance to faculty and staff working with students. Night and weekend responses are required.
Key Duties Include
· Actively engages with the student affairs leadership team and the Vice Provost on a wide range of long and short-term strategic decision-making and planning.
· Leads the Student Engagement and Belonging areas in the context of divisional and institutional culture, vision, mission, values, and desired outcomes.
· Develops partnerships internal and external to the division to create vibrant, student-centered, learning-focused, and intentional co-curricular experiences.
· Works in collaboration with their directors to develop annual and long-term operational and strategic goals, consistent assessment practices, and external funding opportunities to support the growth and enhancement of the student experience.
· Ensures units accomplish the parallel goals of student development and providing quality facilities for the university community by formulating operational policies and procedures which engender an equitable balance between institutional goals and students’ co-curricular needs.
· Engages with the university community, collaborating with diverse partners (faculty, staff, alumni, families) to serve the institution and our students.
· Maintains a strong understanding of, and connection to, best practices in Student Affairs and seeks to lead their team with current knowledge, data, and insights.
· Supports the overall operation of the Division of Student Affairs and contributes to the organization’s success by performing other duties as assigned by the Vice Provost.