Associate Vice President of Student Affairs

Title: Associate Vice President of Student Affairs

Department/Location: Principia College Student Affairs Division / Elsah, Illinois

Position Type: Full-time, 12-month

Organizational Relationships: 

Reports to the College President. Sits on the Senior Leadership Team, College Cabinet, and President’s Council. The AVP-SA provides leadership and oversight for Spiritual Life, Athletics, and Student Life, and supervises the senior leaders within those functional areas, while working closely with the office for Belonging and Community. The AVP-SA also works closely with HR, Legal, Campus Security, Facilities, Financial Aid, Admissions, Marketing and Communications, and collaborates with the Principia School leadership regarding potential mandatory reporting issues.

Summary

The Associate Vice President of Student Affairs (AVP-SA) provides strategic and operational leadership for a well-rounded, mission-aligned student experience at Principia College. The AVP-SA oversees Spiritual Life, Athletics, and Student Life, and coordinates with the Community & Belonging Office, to ensure these areas work in close coordination to foster a safe, student-centered, inclusive campus environment that supports student wholeness, belonging, character development, and authentic spiritual engagement.

The AVP-SA is responsible for the development, implementation, and assessment of student affairs strategy, policies, and programs that respond to the needs of a diverse domestic and international student body. The AVP-SA partners closely with Academic Affairs, Enrollment Services and campus administrative units—including Legal, Campus Security, Facilities, Human Resources, and Business & Operations—to align student success efforts, strengthen community standards and care processes, and ensure effective coordination during complex or high-impact situations.

A successful AVP-SA is a visible campus leader who builds trust with students and colleagues, leads with clarity and compassion, and ensures that the student experience is consistent with Principia’s educational purpose and Christian Science-based character education.

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends. 

At Principia College, our globally focused curriculum honors diverse perspectives and develops creative changemakers who use their academic skills for good in service to themselves, their communities, and the world. In-depth study meets real-world experience through study abroad programs, internships, capstone projects, and a robust slate of student activities, including a world-renowned mediation team, top-ranked solar car team, national champion rugby club, and the nation’s oldest student-run public affairs conference. 

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued. 

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Integration

• Provides vision, strategic direction, and operational leadership for Student Affairs, ensuring alignment across Spiritual Life, Athletics, Community & Belonging, and Student Life
• Develops and implements shared student experience priorities, structures, and communication practices that strengthen coordination across units
• Establishes annual strategic goals, success metrics, and assessment practices for Student Affairs; uses data and feedback to drive continuous improvement
• Serves as a visible, engaged campus leader who builds relationships with students and advances a thriving campus community consistent with Princi