Vice President Student Affairs

Position Summary

The University of St. Thomas (UST) invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA). After a very distinguished career of over 35 years at UST, current Vice President for Student Affairs, Karen Lange, Ed.D., will be retiring during the summer of 2026. This is a pivotal leadership opportunity at one of the nation's leading Catholic universities—an institution committed to educating morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.

As Minnesota's largest private university and among the country's most prominent Catholic institutions, St. Thomas serves nearly 10,000 students across eight schools and colleges on campuses in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Rome, Italy. The University benefits from net assets of $1.2 billion, strong philanthropic momentum, an engaged Board of Trustees, and a vibrant alumni network of more than 115,000 worldwide.

St. Thomas is on an upward trajectory, marked by strategic academic expansion, rising national visibility, and bold investments in the student experience. The University's historic transition from NCAA Division III to Division I in 2021 continues to elevate enrollment, strengthen school spirit, and expand institutional reach. The recent strategic plan ushered in a dynamic period of growth—including significant enhancements to the campus residential environment, the expansion of the Morrison Family College of Health, and investments in facilities such as the Center for Well‑Being and the Iversen Center for Faith.

The new strategic plan, St. Thomas 2030, is built upon the University's Foundational Pillars and successes of the previous strategic plan.

Within this context of remarkable momentum, the next VPSA will play a central role in advancing a holistic, mission aligned, and forward-looking student experience. Reporting directly to Executive Vice President and Provost Eddy Rojas serving on the President's Cabinet, the VPSA will lead a strong and long-tenured Student Affairs division that includes the Dean of Students, Student Engagement & Belonging, Residence Life, the Center for Well-Being, Retention and Student Success partnerships, and key co-curricular programs that shape campus life.

The VPSA will steward and champion a student experience grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition—one that prioritizes belonging, wellbeing, leadership formation, and whole person development across undergraduate, graduate, international, and commuter populations. The next VPSA will help guide the University's evolving residential strategy—including the recently implemented two-year on-campus living requirement and continued investments in housing—and further integrate the Division I athletics transition into campus vibrancy and student engagement.

Rising diversity across the student body, growth in international enrollment, and strong employer demand for St. Thomas graduates position the VPSA to meaningfully enhance retention, belonging, and student success in collaboration with Academic Affairs and key campus partners. As a member of the president's cabinet and leading the Division of Student Affairs senior staff, the VPSA provides strategic and operational leadership for all Student Affairs units.

The VPSA will oversee a $13M operating and $35M overall budget and portfolio of seven direct reports, 70 professional staff, 3 doctoral interns, 12 graduate student assistants, and over 400 undergraduate student employees.

The successful candidate will have a master's degree with an earned doctorate or terminal degree in a relevant field is preferred. The ideal candidate will be a strategic, collaborative, and mission committed leader with demonstrated success in student affairs administration. They will bring exceptional emotional intelligence, crisis management skills, and the capacity to lead in a context of high expectations and deep institutional pride.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resumeand a letter of interest…