Associate Vice Chancellor Student Success

Position: Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success - 000313
Location: Cullowhee

Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success

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Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success
Western Carolina University

Department:
Assoc VC Student Success

About WCU:
Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists each year. Including:

• 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.

• 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.

• 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.

• 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan.

Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year.

Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary:

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC.

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success provides university-wide leadership to advance student retention, persistence, and graduation through the development, coordination, and evaluation of comprehensive student success initiatives. This position guides strategic planning and operational execution of programs that promote academic achievement, equity, and holistic learning, with particular attention to at-risk and special populations.

Serving as a central collaborator, the Associate Vice Chancellor partners with faculty, staff, students, and campus leadership as well as with state institutions and the UNC System Office to align best practices and foster innovation in student support.

The role also oversees key academic ceremonies, and professional development for unit leaders and staff, ensuring a cohesive and inclusive approach to student success across the university.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any immigration-related assistance.

• Earned master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

• Five or more years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, with a demonstrated record of advancing student success and retention.

• Proven experience collaborating across academic and administrative units on the design, implementation, or assessment of student success initiatives.

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, as evidenced through reports, presentations, publications, or institutional engagement.

Preferred…