JOB
Title: Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Position Number: 0089134
Hiring Unit: Student Affairs
Location: UH Hilo
Date Posted: May 6, 2026
Closing Date: Continuous Recruitment. First review of applications will begin on or about June 5, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled
Salary Range: $161,316 to $290,366/Annual
Additional Salary Info: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Full Time/Part Time: Full-time
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent
Other Conditions: Appointment to begin approximately November 2026, pending position clearance and availability of funding.
INTRODUCTION:
Reporting to the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (VCSA) serves as the chief student affairs and enrollment management officer for the University of Hawai'i at Hilo - one of three four-year campuses within the University of Hawai'i System. The Vice Chancellor provides effective leadership, strategic direction and primary administrative oversight for a broad portfolio of co-curricular activities, programs and services that support student learning and promote students' holistic success within a highly diverse and multicultural educational setting that is shaped by the University's place in Hawaii and informed by its status as an indigenous-serving institution. The incumbent is responsible for leading efforts to develop and coordinate the execution of a comprehensive enrollment management plan that complements both UH Hilo's strategic goals and UH System's strategic priorities, as well as facilitating an integrated approach to recruitment, admissions, enrollment, persistence and degree completion across all academic colleges and programs.
The Vice Chancellor serves as senior advisor to the Chancellor and executive management team on those policies and practices that best promote student recruitment, retention and graduation, as well as improve access, excellence and diversity throughout the educational experience. They also provide consultation about higher education legal and policy issues as they relate to students, student affairs and enrollment management. Further, the Vice Chancellor performs cross-functional duties in cooperation and collaboration with other vice chancellors.
The Vice Chancellor is further charged with providing executive leadership and accountability for the appropriate administration, development, assessment, and continual improvement of student activities, programs and services which meet and support the University's missions and strategic plan. The Vice Chancellor provides overall supervision, leadership and oversight for the following functional areas: Enrollment Services, Student Support and Campus Life, Leadership Development, Student Exchange, Career Services, Housing and Residential Life, and Health & Wellness.
Demonstrating at all times a commitment to institutional success, the Vice Chancellor must exhibit political acumen, integrity, intercultural competence, and tact in all communications and collaborations with a broad array of internal constituencies (including students faculty, staff, and other administrative colleagues) and external constituencies (local businesses, community-based organizations, legislative representatives, governmental officers and agencies, donors and development prospects). Finally, the Vice Chancellor serves as the student advocate within the University community, and works closely with the UH Hilo Student Association, chartered student organizations, and registered independent student organizations to ensure that student perspectives, experiences and needs inform the administrative decision-making process.
Duties and Responsibilities
Administration, Leadership & Management
- Provides leadership, strategic direction and primary administrative oversight for a broad portfolio of co-curricular activities, programs and services that support student learning and promote students' success within a highly diverse and multicultural educational setting. Provides feedback, guidance and accountability for the management of all activities, communications, expenditures, functions, programs and services across the Division of Student Affairs. Leads change and improvement processes in a manner that is responsive to the University's strategic goals and priorities.
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Develops short- and long-range plans for the Division of Student Affairs which meet UH System's and UH Hilo's respective missions and strategic plans, and which also respond to the needs and priorities of a diverse array of student communities. Develops and executes short- and long-term budget plans that complement the Division's strategic plans and priorities. Oversees all recruitment, hiring, training, supervision, evaluation, and separation of faculty and staff personnel in the Division.
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Oversees enrollment management to coordinate and facilitate a cross-divisional, cooperative, and integrated approach to recruitment, admissions, enrollment, persistence, and degree completion across all academic colleges and programs.
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Facilitates and oversees the planning, development, implementation, evaluation and ongoing quality improvement of innovative and proactive co-curricular activities, programs, services, policies and procedures which respond to the evolving needs, learning styles, interests, and varied experiences of UH Hilo's students.
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Duties related to budget and fiscal management include: (1) developing and sustaining viable partnerships with private and public entities to advance capital projects and other student needs, e.g. student housing; (2) serving as a responsible steward of University resources; (3) seeking and enabling personnel in the Division to pursue new sources of revenue to support Divisional priorities, including development efforts, extramural funding and grants, student fees; and (4) increasing available resources for financial aid (both need- and merit-based) and scholarships.
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Ensures that all Divisional personnel, functions and units operate in compliance with and adherence to state and federal regulations, University and UH System Board of Regents policies, and appropriate accreditation standards. In coordination with relevant campus administrative partners, oversees compliance with relevant federal legislation as it relates to a wide range of student programs and services, including but not limited to:
Evaluation & Quality Improvement
- Continually solicits, generates and/or monitors institutional data on wide range of student characteristics and outcomes; utilizes this data and analysis of such data to make changes, adjustments and improvements to existing activities and programs to enhance student learning and engagement, student persistence, and student success; and conveys this data to the campus community to support planning and prioritization efforts.
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Periodically reviews existing programs, services, procedures and policies to ensure that all functional areas in the Division are effective, efficient, proactive, and responsive to needs of all student communities, and then implements revisions or improvements as indicated. Formulates new procedures and policies, as needed.
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Develops and initiates new programs and services as needed. Redirects or discontinues those activities or functions that have outlived their relevance, impact or utility. Tracks state, regional and national trends in the areas of student access, enrollment, persistence, and degree attainment, identify promising co-curricular practices, and appropriately apply/adapt them to match UH Hilo student needs, backgrounds, and experiences.
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Oversees Division-wide efforts to promote the professional growth and development of all personnel, including undergraduate and graduate/professional student employees, interns, and assistants. Leads efforts to improve the working environment for Divisional faculty/staff. Periodically analyzes faculty/staff roles and program responsibilities and reorganizes, reassigns or realigns them to best meet the Division's, UH Hilo's, or the UH system's strategic goals, missions and priorities, in a manner that is in accordance with University of Hawai'i rules, regulations, procedures and collective bargaining agreements. Evaluates faculty for contract renewal, promotion and tenure; evaluates staff for periodic performance evaluations.
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As appropriate and where relevant, leads and supports efforts across the Division to assess student learning across a broad range of learning outcomes consistent with a liberal education, including those institutional and/or general education learning outcomes identified by the UH System or UH Hilo, with a focus on out-of-classroom/co-curricular learning.
Communication, Collaboration & Consultation
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Implements a wide array of communications, using a variety of media as appropriate, with students, parents, faculty, staff, donors, community-based organizations, governmental and legislative entities, and the general public.
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Effectively communicates the value of higher education and the value of a UH Hilo education to internal and external constituents. Collaborates with relevant administrative colleagues on marketing, branding and niche development efforts as they relate to student recruitment and enrollment.
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Engages in regular consultation with student government, student organizations and other student entities to ascertain and understand student concerns, experiences, perceptions, needs, and priorities. Encourages consultation with students by all UH Hilo administrators on important policy or programmatic decisions, and serves as the University's primary advocate for student voices and student interests.
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Develops and sustains collaborative relationships with a wide range of internal and external constituencies to support Divisional priorities, as well as institutional priorities as they relate to enrollment management and student life, student engagement, and out-of-classroom learning.
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Remains in ongoing communication with administrative colleagues across the UH System to ensure that institutional policies, practices, programs and procedures complement and/or are in compliance with System-wide efforts, initiatives, and policies, as well as to facilitate seamless transfer for students between UH Hilo and other campuses within the UH System.
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Serves as the primary spokesperson for the Chancellor on matters related to enrollment management, student affairs, and student life/student concerns. Serves as a resource, content expert, and consultant to both campus and community constituents on issues related to student life, student development, enrollment management, student affairs, and the co-curriculum.
- Adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and policies and procedures of the University, raise awareness among staff, and direct them in such a way that University compliance requirements are met.
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Identify and mitigate through policy development/revision/enhancement and training, areas of risk and developing risk to the University, e.g., legal, financial, reputation, and compliance risk, and ensure team is aware and focused on addressing same.
Performs other duties as assigned or appropriate.
Minimum Qualifications
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Master’s Degree from an accredited institution.
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Seven (7) years of progressively responsible, senior-level administrative experience in higher education student affairs, enrollment management, or related area.
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Experience in management and collegial leadership in student affairs, enrollment management, or related area.
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Demonstrated experience with effective strategic planning and program development, budget planning and fiscal management, human resources management, and facilities planning.
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Demonstrated record of developing and sustaining collaborative relationships with internal and external constituencies to support institutional priorities
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Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of current and emerging trends, as well as promising practices, in student affairs and enrollment management.
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Ability to comprehend and interpret administrative directives and guidance to ensure IT operations align with organizational standards and industry best practices.
Desirable Qualifications
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Doctoral degree in student affairs, higher education administration, or related discipline.
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Demonstrated ability to contribute to UH Hilo's role as an indigenous-serving institution.
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Experience with legislative fiscal and budget development processes in Hawaii or other states.
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Collective Bargaining Experience.
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Familiarity with academic program development and administration.
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Knowledge and understanding of the educational goals of baccalaureate, graduate, professional, and doctoral degree programs.
To Apply: Click on the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach each required document. A complete application must include:
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Cover letter explaining how each minimum and desirable qualification is met
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Current resume
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The names and addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) current professional references
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Transcript(s) showing degrees and course work appropriate to the position (copies are acceptable; however, original official transcripts will be required prior to employment).
Please do not include any self-identifying photos. Please redact references to Social Security number and birth date on transcript copies. Copy of diplomas will NOT be accepted. Documents issued from an institution outside the United States of America require a course-by-course analysis with an equivalency statement from an agency having membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc., verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. Expense of the evaluation shall be borne by the applicant. All requested documents/information become the property of the University. All minimum qualifications must be met by the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Failure to submit all required documents and reference information shall deem an application to be incomplete.
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EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled