Vice President for Student Life, Leadership, and Athletics

Discover the opportunity to join Baker College, honored as one of the 2024 Best and Brightest Workplaces in West Michigan, Metro Detroit, and Nationally!

Baker College invites dynamic, student-centered, and visionary leaders to apply for the role of Vice President for Student Life, Leadership and Athletics (SLLA) — a rare opportunity to reshape the student experience, launch a first-of-its-kind intercollegiate athletics program, and build a vibrant, inclusive campus culture that serves students wherever they are — on-campus, online, or in between.

This senior leadership position will report directly to the President and serve on the executive team, with broad authority to integrate student support, academic partnerships, residential life, athletics, and co-curricular engagement into a mission-driven, outcomes-focused student success ecosystem.

What You’ll Do

As Baker College’s chief student success strategist, the SLLA will:

 

Lead Student Success and Retention

• Champion a data-informed, equity-first approach to improving retention, persistence, and graduation rates.
• Oversee an integrated student support system: wellness, career advising and development, residence and student life, and more.
• Lead the Student Success Council, aligning enrollment, academic, and student affairs around shared student outcomes.
  
  

Build a New Intercollegiate Athletics Program

• Build upon the success of our eSports program by designing and launching BC’s first intercollegiate athletics program with NAIA or USCAA affiliation.
• Develop athletic compliance, recruitment, staffing, branding, and community engagement strategies.
• Ensure strong academic and personal support for student-athletes.
• Oversee athletic operations and long-term capital planning.

 

Elevate Campus Life

• Provide executive leadership for residential life, including housing operations, student conduct, and living-learning communities.
• Create a vibrant student experience that engages commuter, residential, and online students through leadership programs, service, wellness, and campus events.
• Champion a student-first culture of care, community, and connection.

 

Support for Online and Hybrid Learners

Committed to ensuring that students in virtual and hybrid environments have access to the same transformative experience as those on campus. The SLLA will:

• Expand and innovate online student support services.
• Collaborate with instructional leaders to design seamless student success pathways for online learners.
• Develop a vibrant virtual student life program that encompasses clubs, leadership opportunities, wellness workshops, career exploration, and peer-to-peer connections.
• Champion equity in access, technology, and support for remote learners from diverse backgrounds
  
  

Whether a student is in a residence hall, a rural community, or balancing work and family while online, the SLLA ensures they are seen, supported, and connected.

 

What You Bring

Your Portfolio Includes:

• First-Year Experience & Academic Support
• Counseling, Disability Services & Wellness
• Career Services & Basic Needs
• Student Conduct & Public Safety
• Athletics & Recreation Programs
• Residence Life & Housing Operations
• Student Engagement (in-person & online)
• Commencement & Co-curricular Programs
• International Student Services
• Athletic & Residential Facilities Development
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in student affairs, higher education leadership, or related field
• 5 -10+ years of progressively responsible experience in student services or student success
• 5+ years in a senior-level management role
• Demonstrated success improving student outcomes and leading measurable retention and graduation initiatives
• Experience building or over