Careers

Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) seeks a collaborative, equity-focused leader to serve as the inaugural Assistant Vice President for Health and Well-being.

Since 1965, MSU Denver has offered tailored degree programs to keep up with students’ real lives, providing a high-quality, accessible, enriching education that prepares students for successful careers, post-graduate education and lifelong learning in a multicultural, global and technological society. Located in the heart of downtown Denver and less than an hour from the Rocky Mountains, the Auraria campus is a launch pad for all that Colorado has to offer. A national model of institutional partnerships, MSU Denver shares a campus and some resources with the University of Colorado at Denver and the Community College of Denver – all supported by the Auraria Higher Education Center.

As a leader in social mobility and a Hispanic-Serving Institution, MSU Denver has one of the most diverse student bodies in Colorado – 59.7% of undergraduates are first-gen students and 55.2% are students of color. The 16,345 undergraduate and 1,160 graduate students choose from over 100 majors and minors, 10+ graduate programs and 48 certificate programs. MSU Denver has been recognized as the Top Transfer Destination in Colorado, a Top College for Diversity, recognized as Best for Vets in 2021, the No. 3 Most Innovative University in the West and a Most Civically Engaged Student Body.

MSU Denver’s Student Affairs team is committed to ensuring that every Roadrunner has the resources and opportunity they need to succeed. As a community of students and staff, the four pillars of Student Affairs – career success, equity and inclusion, student engagement, and access – guide the team’s work as they strive to create diverse programming that elevates student voices and affirms students’ identities and experiences. Student Affairs houses departments in Student Engagement and Wellness, Enrollment Management, and the Classroom to Career Hub.

The inaugural Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Health and Well-being provides visionary, strategic, and operational leadership for developing a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to student health and wellbeing. The AVP is charged with supporting MSU Denver’s goal of scaling student wellbeing initiatives that reduce challenges to students meeting their academic goals.

The units in the Assistant Vice President’s portfolio include: the Health Center at Auraria (also serving the University of Colorado at Denver and the Community College of Denver on the shared Auraria campus) and the MSU Denver-specific Counseling Center, Campus Recreation, and Rowdy’s Corner (food pantry). The AVP will provide creative and results-focused leadership and strategic vision for each area, incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, the Assistant Vice President promotes cohesion among the units and seamless collaboration around health and wellness; ensures the delivery of service with a wellness equity focus that is tailored for and responsive to the variety of student populations who seek these services (i.e., students of color, veterans, LGBTQ students, first-generation students, etc.); and collaborates with department leaders and university personnel to ensure long-term facility and infrastructure management, including renovation, expansion, replacement cycles, and ongoing maintenance.

The AVP will cultivate a holistic student experience rooted in wellness through a lens of social justice that enhances students’ sense of belonging at MSU Denver. The AVP will enjoy collaborative partnerships with students, an exceptional student affairs team, and campus constituents to advance wellness efforts for all students.

The successful candidate will have a master’s degree and at least eight years of progressive professional experience in higher education in academic and/ or student affairs, administration, health care or a related field. They will bring supervisory experience in one or more of the areas overseen by the AVP (health, counseling, well-being, health promotion, disability services).

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.

WittKieffer is assisting MSU Denver in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by June 3, 2024.

Nominations, applications, and inquiries can be directed to: Lauren Bruce-Stets and Corin Edwards at [email protected].

The compensation range for this position is $101,500 to $169,500. Metropolitan State University of Denver offers excellent benefits including medical, vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, retirement, life insurance and a wellness program. Additional benefits include 12 paid holidays, paid time off, multiple forms of leave (6-weeks Parental Leave, Bereavement Leave, etc.), an undergraduate tuition benefit and discounts.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.

We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.

The leadership profile with the qualification information can be viewed on WittKieffer’s website located here,