PARK UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1875, Park University prides itself on being at the forefront of higher education in the Midwest and across the United States. The University is pleased to announce the search for its next Vice President of Enrollment & Student Services, an appointment to become effective as soon as practicable.

Park is uniquely situated as a private institution that strives to maintain the values of the liberal arts tradition alongside an unflagging commitment to making such an education economically accessible for a diverse population that includes residential, international, military and adult learners. Park seeks a Vice President of Enrollment & Student Services who will bring visionary leadership, strategic thinking, creative planning and a determined management style to address the opportunities and challenges that accompany the institution’s diverse and geographically dispersed educational operation.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services provides strategic and operational leadership to a department that includes student marketing, enrollment, student financial services, international student admissions and services, student services, campus center operations, and athletics. This team works to provide a seamless and affirmative student enrollment experience spearheaded by implementation of a new nationwide student service model bringing greater focus to marketing and recruiting, enrolling, and retaining a diverse undergraduate and graduate student body across a national network of campus centers and online distance learning platforms.

The VPESS has administrative oversight and responsibility for all aspects of student success. The VPESS is responsible for marshaling a highly competent enrollment management and student services team. This team is dispersed throughout a nationwide system of 21 campus centers and is tasked to ensure that the University develops and executes the strongest possible admissions and financial aid strategies to maximize financial aid resources and to promote the matriculation of promising students. The VPESS will be key in ensuring that the University’s senior leadership and the community as a whole understand how to support successful strategies.

The VPESS has three main responsibilities: 1) Direct recruitment efforts according to the University’s strategic direction and mission; 2) Serve as a member of the University’s executive leadership team and work closely with colleagues on overarching University policies and procedures, including institutional financial strategy, the student educational cycle from enrollment through graduation and 2) Represent Park University locally, regionally, nationally, and globally to address issues of access, affordability, college readiness and the K-16 pipeline, and student success.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Student marketing and enrollment – Oversee graduate and undergraduate student marketing, recruiting and enrollment across all campus centers to ensure that the University attracts and enrolls new students (domestic and international) to meet annual enrollment expectations.

2. Financial Aid – Oversee the operations of the Office of Student Financial Services to ensure that students receive appropriate and timely aid, in a manner that supports admissions and retention processes, and complies with all appropriate regulations. Oversee the certification process for those students receiving federal funding as active- duty military, veterans, or dependents.

3. Student services – Manage the Dean of Students and provide oversight in the areas of counseling, conduct, advocacy, residence life, wellness, leadership development and all aspects of the student experience. Collaborate with Academic Affairs to ensure that students have a positive and rewarding college experience outside of the classroom.

4. Campus Center Operations – Manage the enrollment and services provided through the staff at 21 campus centers nationwide, including those operated on military installations.

5. International students – Provide oversight for the recruitment, admittance, advising and compliance of more than 500 international students from 76 countries to ensure that students have the resources they require during their educational tenure.

6. Athletics – Provide oversight for the operations of the Department of Athletics, including 17 athletic teams competing in NAIA Division I athletics.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

Scope

The VPESS must have a strategic focus that positively impacts the quality and success of the department under his/her purview inclusive of more than 125 full-time and part-time staff dispersed nationwide. These staff members support a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate students on 21 campus centers (both on military bases as well as civilian locations) in 15 states and online distance learning.

Organization

The VPESS reports directly to the President, as do the Provost, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Vice President of Finance and Administration, Chief Advancement Officer, Vice President of Gilbert Campus, Chief of Staff, and Chief Human Resources Officer. The VPESS has several direct reports including the Chief Marketing Officer, the Dean of Students, the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management, the Athletic Director, and the Director of Financial Aid.

Challenges and Opportunities

This position will serve as a role model for Park’s core values and high-performance culture. The VPESS will exhibit strong management skills across all areas of the department, and work closely with executive staff members, especially the Provost and Vice President of Finance and Administration, in providing an enrollment forecast, with the requisite marketing, enrollment and retention initiatives that will propel Park’s growth and sustainability.

Position Requirements

Master’s degree in an appropriate field; a doctorate is preferred.
An enrollment professional of national stature with a minimum of seven years of progressive leadership in the higher education arena, with significant senior leadership experience in enrollment management and student services administration with an emphasis in enrollment for three distinct target markets: face-to-face, online distance learning and hybrid/blended learning.
Extensive experience in recruiting and enrolling a geographically-dispersed, diverse student population.
Verified record of success both in projecting and meeting enrollment/revenue goals, and marshaling university resources to recruit top student talent.
Active involvement with and knowledge of enrollment strategies, adult development and the changing role of student affairs in higher education.
Ability to work collegially and highly strategically, displaying university-wide leadership while tending to the realities of driving enrollment forward at a tuition-driven liberal arts university that values student development and success. Experience working with faculty to impact university decision-making through collaboration and shared governance.
Transparent and courageous decision-making skills that provide visionary strategic thinking and planning skills, can build and be a part of effective and well-aligned teams, and demonstrates a commitment to a high performance culture.
Proven leadership and integrity with a deep capacity to inspire colleagues to work together on behalf of students to inspire trust and instill confidence in the Park community.

APPLICATION PROCESS

EFL Associates, eflassociates.cbiz.com, an executive search firm, is assisting Park University with its search for this important leadership position. All calls and inquiries should be made through the search firm. Nominations and applications will be held in strict confidence and candidates will remain confidential until the final stage of the search, at which time the express permission of finalists will be obtained before making their candidacy public.

Application Process

* STEP 1: Complete a brief online application (2-3 minutes)

– Online application link or

– Copy and paste www.surveymonkey.com/r/HNJY78T into your browser

* STEP 2: Send us your cover letter and résumé or curriculum vitae

– Send in PDF format

– Send to ApplyHigherEd@eflassociates.com

– Email subject line should read “Park University – VPESS Application”

Key Dates

* Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Confidential Inquiries

Steve Waldron, JD
Managing Director, Higher Education Practice
(816) 945-5423 swaldron@eflassociates.com