Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success in Sterling, Virginia at Divine Mercy University

Divine Mercy University invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success (VPIESS). This senior leadership role represents a significant opportunity for a visionary, mission-driven administrator to shape the academic support infrastructure, student success ecosystem, and institutional effectiveness culture of a dynamic, growing Catholic university.

Reporting directly to the Provost and serving as a member of the President's Cabinet and Executive Leadership Team, the VPIESS occupies a position of significant institutional influence. The successful candidate will ensure that every Divine Mercy University student has access to the academic resources, support services, and institutional structures necessary to succeed — advancing the University's mission at the highest level.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation

Lead a culture of continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making across the University.

Oversee institutional effectiveness processes, including student learning outcomes assessment, program review, and institutional research.

Coordinate and support institutional accreditation activities (e.g., SACSCOC, state and federal compliance) in collaboration with academic leadership.

Support compliance and reporting for specialized accreditation bodies (e.g., APA, CACREP) in partnership with academic units.

Ensure institutional data integrity and effective use of outcomes data to inform planning and strategic resource allocation.

2. Student Success Strategy and Outcomes

Provide strategic leadership for institution-wide student success initiatives focused on retention, persistence, progression, and degree completion.

Develop and monitor student success metrics and dashboards aligned with institutional goals and accreditation expectations.

Promote equitable access to academic resources and support services across online and in-person learning environments.

Champion a holistic approach to student formation integrating academic achievement, personal development, and mission-informed support.

3. Academic and Student Support Services

The VPIESS provides executive oversight and coordination of the following key academic support and student success units, ensuring collaborative, mission-aligned operation:

Academic Cabinet — Convenes quarterly representatives from academic programs, student success, and administrative units to advance communication, policy consistency, and shared formation values.

Center for Student Success — Academic advising, tutoring, coaching, early alert systems, and student progress monitoring.

Library Services — Digital and physical information resources, research support, and information literacy instruction.

Registrar's Office — Stewardship of academic records, registration, degree audits, enrollment data integrity, and academic progression policies.

4. Collaboration and Mission Integration

Collaborate closely with the Provost, Deans, and Program Directors to align student success initiatives with academic programs and learning outcomes.

Partner with faculty and academic leadership to leverage assessment data to strengthen teaching, curriculum, and student learning.

Ensure that all student success and institutional effectiveness efforts reflect and advance DMU's Catholic-Christian identity and commitment to forming servant leaders.

Foster strong cross-functional collaboration across online and in-person campus environments to enhance the overall student experience.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Earned doctorate from a regionally accredited institution.
• Significant senior-level leadership experience in higher education administration.
• Demonstrated expertise in institutional effectiveness, assessment, and accreditation (e.g., SACSCOC).
• Proven experience leading academic support services and student success initiatives.
• Strong understanding of graduate and professional education, including online and global program delivery.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaborative leadership skills.

Preferred:

• Experience supporting specialized program accreditation processes, including APA and CACREP.
• Demonstrated commitment to Catholic higher education and the mission of faith-integrated professional formation.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strategic leadership grounded in institutional mission and stewardship.
• Deep expertise in assessment, accreditation, and continuous improvement practices.
• Student-centered philosophy applied to academic support and institutional planning.
• Commitment to integrating Catholic-Christian values into student success and institutional effectiveness work.
• Capacity to lead diverse teams and foster collaboration across academic and administrative units.

ROLE DISTINCTION

The Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success does not serve as the chief academic officer, but works in close partnership with the Provost and the Academic Cabinet. This role focuses on outcomes, assessment, student support infrastructure, and institutional effectiveness — ensuring that academic excellence is sustained through strong systems, data-informed decision-making, and mission-aligned student services.

HOW TO APPLY

Divine Mercy University invites applications and nominations for this position. Candidates are encouraged to submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Based on the Catholic identity and mission of Divine Mercy University, we only employ persons who demonstrate openness and respect for the Roman Catholic Church and its institutions and who have a sincere interest in advancing DMU’s mission within the Church.

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT: Committed to the teaching of Vatican Council II that every type of discrimination, whether social or cultural, whether based on sex, race, color, social condition, language or religion, is to be overcome and eradicated as contrary to God's intent (Gaudium et Spes, 29), DMU encourages applications from people of all ages, races, ethnicities, nationalities, women, men, veterans and those with disabilities.