Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic & Student Affairs

Best consideration date for applications: Tuesday April 21, 2026PURPOSEThe Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs (SVCASA) advances and champions student success and the academic mission of the University System of Maryland (USM). The SVCASA provides strategic leadership in shaping systemwide academic, student, and faculty affairs policies and initiatives that promote access, completion, and academic excellence.Reporting to the Chancellor, the SVCASA serves as senior staff to the USM Board of Regents' Education Policy and Student Life and Safety Committee. As the primary liaison to the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and the System's representative to state and national higher education organizations, the SVCASA helps shape the policy environment affecting Maryland higher education and ensures USM institutions are well positioned to meet state priorities while advancing their individual missions.As chair of the Academic Affairs Advisory Council, the SVCASA provides leadership and coordination for the System's provosts and vice presidents for student affairs, advancing collaboration, aligning academic priorities, and strengthening the collective impact of the System. In this role, the SVCASA translates systemwide goals into initiatives that support innovation, efficiency, and excellence across the USM.The SVCASA provides executive oversight of a broad portfolio of academic and student success initiatives and regulatory responsibilities, including student affairs, faculty affairs, graduate studies, academic innovation, transfer and articulation, Title IX coordination and compliance, early college programs, prison education programs, civic education initiatives, and systemwide library services.A key advisor to the Board of Regents, the Chancellor, and senior leadership within the USM Office, the SVCASA also serves as a liaison to the System's faculty and student shared governance councils and frequently represents the Chancellor and the USM Office in engagement with campus leaders and external partners.ResponsibilitiesAcademic and Student Affairs Strategic Leadership:Sets the strategic direction for the Office of Academic & Student Affairs in support of the USM's academic missionServes as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the chancellor, presidents, provosts, vice presidents of Student Affairs, regional higher education center directors, and USMO staff on academic, student, and faculty affairs mattersServes as primary staff liaison to the Board of Regents' Committee on Education Policy, Student Life, and SafetyOversees the policy infrastructure that supports the USM's mission, compliance obligations, and legal commitments. Supports organization and convening of workgroups, councils and committees chaired or planned by Academic and Student Affairs in the USMOProvides leadership in faculty affairs, including maintaining policies that promote faculty excellence and addressing appointment, tenure, and promotion disputes that rise to the Board levelSupports systemwide faculty and student shared governance structureSystemwide Initiatives, Innovation, and External Partnerships:Leads System initiatives in priority areas, including:P-20 partnerships and early college programsTeacher preparationCivic engagementPrison educationPromotes academic innovation and the adoption of evidence-based best practices across institutionsEncourages collaboration among universities to advance teaching, learning, and student successFosters strong working relationships with:The Maryland Higher Education CommissionMaryland community collegesIndependent colleges and universitiesEngages with national organizations, peer systems, accrediting bodies, and state licensure boards to identify emerging approaches and strengthen System alignment and impactAcademic Quality, Planning, & Accountability:Collaborates with USM institutions on academic planning, program alignment, and systemwide accountabilityOversees academic program approval, modification, and discontinuation processesSupports institutional and specialized accreditation activities across the SystemEngages with institutional research functions to support the collection, analysis, and use of data to inform decision-making and continuous improvementStudent Affairs Policy, Student Success, & Well-Being:Promotes best practices, collaboration, and accountability in student affairs and student support services across the SystemProvides leadership and coordination in areas including:Mental health and well-being;Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging;Title IX compliance; andFinancial aid policy and administration. Promotes strong student engagement and supports systemwide student shared governanceAdvises System leadership and institutions on emerging student needs and student success strategiesRegional, Legislative, & State Relations:Shares supervisory responsibility with the Senior Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance for the Executive Directors of the three Regional Higher Education CentersSupports collaboration among USM institutions at the centers to advance access, program coordination, and regional impactCollaborates with the State Relations Council on advocacy efforts in the Maryland General Assembly related to issues and legislation affecting higher educationResponds to requests from state officials and legislators for information and data related to academic programs and student lifePrepares and delivers legislative testimony, as appropriateANNUAL SALARY:$375,000-$450,000RequirementsRequired Education:Doctoral degree or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution.Required Experience:5 years of progressively responsible senior leadership experience in higher education at a system, institutional, or multi-institutional level, with substantial responsibility for:Academic affairs, student affairs, or a closely related portfolio; andStrategic planning, policy development, and systemwide or institutionwide initiativesDemonstrated experience working with governing boards (e.g., boards of regents/trustees), including preparation of materials, policy development, and formal presentationsExperience collaborating across institutions and external partners, such as:State higher education agencies or commissions;Accrediting bodies;State or federal policymakers; orK-12, community college, or external education partnersSupervisory experience at the executive or senior management level, including leadership of senior administrators and management of complex, matrixed reporting relationshipsRequired Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:Comprehensive knowledge of higher education systems, including academic program approval, accreditation, faculty governance, student affairs administration, and shared governance structuresUnderstanding of state and federal higher education policy and compliance, including issues affecting academic programs, student life, equity, access, and accountabilityKnowledge of emerging trends and best practices in teaching, learning, student success, mental health and well-being, and academic innovationStrategic leadership and systems-thinking skills, with the ability to translate institutional and system priorities into actionable initiativesPolicy development and stewardship skills, including the ability to balance legal, regulatory, operational, and mission-driven considerationsRelationship-building and collaboration skills, enabling effective engagement with presidents, provosts, vice presidents, faculty leaders, student leaders, external partners, and state officialsOral and written communication skills sufficient for executive-level advising, Board presentations, public testimony, and complex policy communicationData-informed decision-making skills, including the ability to interpret and apply educational data and institutional research to support accountability and continuous improvementAbility to lead across organizational boundaries in a decentralized, multi-institutional environment while respecting institutional autonomyAbility to navigate complex governance and political environments, including interactions with legislators, state agencies, and accrediting bodiesAbility to manage sensitive and high-stakes issues, including faculty disputes, student affairs crises, and matters escalated to Board-level reviewAbility to serve as a trusted advisor to senior executive leadership and diverse stakeholder groups on academic, student, and faculty affairsBenefitsPaid Leave: 22 days of annual leave, 15 days of sick & safe leave, 16-17 holidays, 3 personal leave days, 12 weeks paid parental leaveHealth Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with flexible spending accountsRetirement Plans: Mandatory and supplemental options with major providers like Fidelity and TIAALife Insurance: Optional term life and AD&D benefits through MetLifeTuition Benefits: Tuition remission for employees and their familiesTraining & Development: Free professional development conferences and unlimited LinkedIn Learning accessCredit Union Access: Membership eligibility for SECU, Maryland's largest credit unionEmployee Assistance Program (EAP): Free counseling, legal, financial, and work-life support servicesClick to learn more.