Associate Vice President for Student Success

The California State University; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 144,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental options

Vision coverage

CSU tuition waiver

Retirement with CalPERS

Vacation days

Sick leave

Holidays

Job summary

The California State University, Bakersfield seeks an Associate Vice President for Student Success to lead and oversee programs advancing student achievement, retention, and graduation. The role partners with campus stakeholders to implement the Student Success Plan and drive initiatives for access and equity.

Responsibilities include strategic leadership for departments such as Kegley Center, EOP, Project Rebound, and Career Education, with collaboration across divisions to strengthen student

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in higher education or related field and a minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in student success.
• A doctorate degree may substitute for two years of experience.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior leadership and administrative oversight for assigned departments in alignment with the University’s Strategic Plan.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Vice President by providing leadership, analysis, and recommendations on complex student success matters.
• Lead the development, implementation, and assessment of strategic goals and operational plans to advance student success.
• Direct, supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff while fostering accountability and collaboration.
• Develop policies and budget oversight to ensure efficient service delivery and resource stewardship.

Skills

Equity & inclusion

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Budget management

Data analysis

Team development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in higher education or related field

Tools

Student information systems

Assessment platforms

Job description

Associate Vice President for Student Success

• Job no: 561472
• Work type: Management (MPP)
• Location: Bakersfield
• Categories: MPP, Administrative, At-Will, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)

UNION CODE: M80

FT/PT: Full-time

PAY PLAN: 12-month

WORKPLACE TYPE: On-site (work in-person at business location)

ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $12,917 - $14,417

• However, offer amount will be commensurate with candidate’s experience, education, skills, and training.

CSU CLASSIFICATION SALARY RANGE: $6,891 –$22,119

PAY BASIS: Monthly

BENEFITS: CSUB offers a best-in-class benefit package for eligible employees that includes an array of medical plans, choice of dental plans, vision coverage, retirement participation in CalPERS, CSU tuition waiver, up to 24 vacation days per year, sick leave with unlimited accrual, 15 paid holidays per year and more! See our benefits website for additional information.

CANDIDATES ELIGIBLE TO APPLY: Open to all qualified applicants

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT:

FOR PRIORITY CONSIDERATION, applications must be received by September 9, 2026; however, the position will remain open until filled.

POSITION PURPOSE: Reporting directly to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management (SASEM), the Associate Vice President for Student Success provides visionary leadership, strategic direction, and comprehensive oversight of programs and services that advance student success at CSUB. The incumbent guides the student success components of the University Strategic Plan and the CSU Systemwide Strategic Plan, and provides collaborative leadership, in partnership with campus stakeholders, for the development and implementation of the campus Student Success Plan. The incumbent is responsible for advancing institutional goals related to access, retention, persistence, and graduation, with a special emphasis on historically low-income, first‑generation, underrepresented, and student‑athlete populations.

The Associate Vice President for Student Success oversees a broad portfolio of student‑focused departments and initiatives, including the Kegley Center for Student Success (student‑athlete support), the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Project Rebound, the Center for Career Education and Community Engagement, the Cultural and Identity Centers, and the Testing Center. The portfolio also includes senior leadership for institution‑wide student success initiatives that advance the University’s strategic priorities for student achievement, engagement, belonging, and degree completion. Other areas of responsibility include Graduate Student Leaders, student success assessment, first‑year experience programming, mentoring and peer leadership initiatives, and other cross‑functional efforts that strengthen the student experience. The incumbent builds strategic partnerships across the University, the CSU system, and external organizations to foster innovation, align institutional efforts, leverage resources, and advance a coordinated, student‑centered approach to student success.

Senior Leadership, Strategic Planning, & Administrative Oversight

• Provide senior leadership and administrative oversight for assigned departments, ensuring alignment with the University’s Strategic Plan, the CSU Student Success initiatives, and divisional priorities.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Vice President by providing leadership, analysis, and recommendations on complex student success, organizational, operational, and policy matters.
• Lead the development, implementation, and assessment of strategic goals, annual priorities, and operational plans that advance student success and organizational effectiveness.
• Direct, supervise, mentor, and evaluate assigned directors, management personnel, and staff while fostering accountability, collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.
• Provide oversight of departmental budgets, resource allocation, staffing, and operational planning to ensure effective stewardship of university resources.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate policies, procedures, and business practices that improve organizational effectiveness, operational efficiency, and service delivery.
• Lead organizational change initiatives and continuous improvement efforts designed to enhance institutional effectiveness and student outcomes.
• Utilize institutional data, assessment findings, and emerging trends to inform strategic decision‑making and establish priorities.
• Serve on senior leadership teams, university committees, and task forces representing the Division of Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management.
• Ensure compliance with applicable CSU policies, state and federal regulations, accreditation standards, and university procedures.

Institutional Student Success Strategy, Assessment & Program Effectiveness

• Provide senior leadership for the planning, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of institution‑wide student success initiatives, including but not limited to Graduate Student Leaders, first‑year experience programming, mentoring and peer engagement initiatives, and university‑wide assessment efforts that support student persistence, engagement, and degree completion.
• Develop and implement university‑wide strategies that improve student access, retention, persistence, graduation, career readiness, and overall student success.
• Collaborate with Institutional Research and Program Assessment (IRPA), predictive analytics, assessment data, and performance metrics to identify trends, evaluate program effectiveness, and recommend evidence‑based improvements.
• Identify institutional barriers affecting student success and collaborate with campus leadership to develop sustainable solutions that improve the student experience.
• Promote equitable student outcomes through initiatives that support historically underserved, first‑generation, low‑income, student‑athlete, and justice‑impacted student populations.
• Ensure assigned departments utilize assessment, program review, and continuous improvement practices to measure effectiveness and demonstrate student success outcomes.
• Collaborate with campus partners to develop integrated approaches that strengthen academic support, student engagement, career development, wellness, and holistic student success.
• Prepare executive reports, presentations, and recommendations regarding student success initiatives, institutional performance, and emerging priorities.

Strategic Partnerships, Advocacy, & University Engagement

• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with campus departments, community organizations, governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, employers, and regional stakeholders that support student success and community engagement.
• Represent the University and the Division of Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management on campus committees, community boards, professional organizations, CSU systemwide committees, and external partnerships.
• Foster collaborative relationships across Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, Athletics, University Advancement, and other campus divisions to promote integrated student success initiatives.
• Collaborate with University Advancement and external partners to identify funding opportunities, support grant development, and strengthen philanthropic investments that enhance student success programs and services.
• Lead or participate in university‑wide initiatives, special projects, and strategic priorities as assigned by the Vice President.
• Represent the University through presentations, conferences, professional associations, and community events to promote institutional priorities and share best practices in student success.
• Build collaborative partnerships that expand experiential learning opportunities, career pathways, civic engagement, and community‑based learning experiences for students.
• Collaborate with University Advancement to secure and steward external funding.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE – Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in higher education or related field and a minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in student success, student development or related area. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.

LICENSES – Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES (SKA’s) –

• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice with in‑depth knowledge of and sensitivity to the challenges faced by historically low‑income, first‑generation, and underrepresented student populations.
• Proven ability to lead with cultural competence, emotional intelligence, and respect for individual differences across diverse campus and community constituencies.
• Advanced analytical and interpersonal skills, with the capacity to address complex organizational challenges and interpret student access, retention, and success data.
• Ability to independently manage multiple high‑level initiatives with competing priorities and time‑sensitive deadlines.
• Demonstrated expertise in program administration, assessment, and improvement within higher education, particularly in student development and support services.
• Effective budget management skills and experience with fiscal oversight, resource allocation, and grant or external funding stewardship.
• Proficiency in leveraging student information systems, assessment platforms, and technology to enhance operational efficiency and student outcomes.
• Skilled in developing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including K–12 districts, community organizations, and higher education institutions.
• Ability to prepare and deliver professional‑level presentations, reports, and policy recommendations.
• Capacity to maintain diplomacy in sensitive interpersonal and institutional matters.
• Sound understanding of university policies, procedures, and regulatory frameworks governing student services, enrollment management, and administrative operations.
• Ability to effectively lead, motivate, and develop a team in a fast‑paced, evolving environment that values continuous learning and professional development.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
• Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time‑sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word‑processing, spreadsheets, databases, on‑line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure.
• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off‑site