Vice President, Student Affairs

The Graduate Center, City University of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

The Graduate Center, City University of New York is seeking a Vice President for Student Affairs to lead strategic planning and operations for diverse student services. This executive role reports to the Provost and oversees multiple units including admissions, counseling, career development, and academic integrity.

The position supports a hybrid work model with in-person requirements. Open until filled with an initial review in early October 2026.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership and operational management for all programs and services within the Division of Student Affairs.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Public higher education

Budget management

Communication skills

Organizational change

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's or Doctorate

Job description

The Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY) is the focal point for advanced teaching and research at CUNY, the nation's largest urban public university. With over 35 doctoral and master's programs of the highest caliber, the Graduate Center fosters pioneering research and scholarship in the arts and sciences and prepares students for careers in universities and the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. The Graduate Center's commitment to research and scholarship for the public good is exemplified by its more than 30 centres, institutes, and initiatives, including its Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), a 200,000 square‑foot facility in upper Manhattan, designed to promote collaboration among scientists in five areas of global research and innovation: nanoscience, photonics, structural biology, neuroscience, and environmental sciences.

The Graduate Center (GC) benefits from highly ambitious and diverse students and alumni‑who in turn teach hundreds of thousands of undergraduates every year. Through its public programs, the Graduate Center enhances New York City's intellectual and cultural life.

Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President, the Vice President for Student Affairs at the Graduate Center (GC) is the chief executive in the Student Affairs Division. The Vice President provides executive leadership, strategic planning and vision for the following units: Office of Student Affairs, Admissions, Registrar, International Students, Wellness Center/Student Counseling Service, Career Panning and Professional Development, Teaching and Learning Center, Writing Center, Child Development and Learning Center, Graduate Center Apartments - Student/Faculty Housing, and Student Disability Services. The Vice President for Student Affairs serves as the 504/ADA Coordinator for Students, Graduate Center Academic Integrity Officer and chairs the Student Behavioral Intervention Team.

Duties include but not limited to:

• Provides strategic leadership and operational management for all programs and services within the Division of Student Affairs and administers policies of the Division.
• -Provides mentorship to Director of Student Affairs, Executive Director of Student Services, directors and managers within the division cultivating a collaborative, accountable student-focused organizational culture.
• -Serves as the chief advisor to the President and Provost on all matters related to the delivery of quality student services encompassing: student engagement to booster quality of life on and off campus, recruitment and retention of exceptional students, etc.
• -Oversees all student disciplinary matters.
• -Maintains highly visible presence on campus and serves as liaison to Doctoral and Graduate Students’ Council. Acts as the principal champion for the welfare and well‑being of students and leads the cultivation of a welcoming and inclusive campus community.
• -Oversees the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) processes, working closely with leadership of doctoral and master’s academic program executive officers (department chairs).
• -Assists the Provost and Senior Vice President in providing leadership and oversight in implementing continuous improvement efforts, formulating Division goals and objectives, and evaluating the Division’s targets and goals and Performance Management in support of the Graduate Center’s and CUNY’s goals/targets.
• -Incorporates innovative practices into plans and strategies and collaborates with other College and University executives, and outside organizations, as needed, to develop appropriate policy, acquire resources and provide for the appropriate support for Graduate Center students.
• -Collaborates with campus leaders to develop and implement a crisis management plan to address significant issues involving or affecting students. Implements University policies and procedures and serves as a first responder working closely with the Title IX Coordinator, Public Safety, and other campus personnel to facilitate compliance with Title IX.
• -Serves as liaison to the Graduate Center’s Foundation Board on all matters related to the Graduate Center Apartments. Represents President and Provost at meetings as needed.
• -Performs other related duties as assigned.

All full-time and part-time CUNY staff are expected to work in-person 80% of their work time. This hybrid work schedule is subject to change.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position is in CUNY's Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ten (10) or more years of student affairs/academic leadership experience; master’s or doctorate degree in a related field.
• An outstanding record of progressively more responsible leadership and administrative leadership in an academic setting.
• Experience working within a large public higher education system.
• Knowledge of CUNY policies, processes, and systems is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in budget management, resource allocation, and innovation within complex institutional environments.
• Exceptional communication, relationship‑building, and coalition‑building skills.
• Understanding of graduate, particularly doctoral education.
• Proven ability to lead large, diverse teams, with demonstrated skills in organizational change, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Sponsorship will not be offered for this position.

CUNY TITLE

Vice President

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

$170,000-$200,000/year. Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well‑being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

CLOSING DATE

Open until filled with review of applications to begin on October 1, 2026

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Executive

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.