Assistant Vice President for Leadership & Involvement

Southern Methodist University (SMU) seeks a creative, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as its Assistant Vice President for Leadership & Involvement (AVP-LI). Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, the AVP-LI will provide leadership for a portfolio that includes the Hunt Leadership Scholars Program, Principled Leadership, Parent & Family Programs, Student Center & Activities, Fraternity & Sorority Life, and Orientation & Transitions. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of student engagement at a university experiencing significant momentum, where institutional leaders are committed to delivering an exceptional student experience and advancing a culture of leadership and engagement. The successful candidate will join a talented team and play a central role in helping students connect, lead, and thrive in one of higher education's most dynamic environments.

Founded in 1911, SMU is a private research university with a focus on global impact, educating more than 12,500 students (approximately 7,500 undergraduate and 5,000 graduate) studying across seven degree-granting schools. Now in its second century, SMU is broadly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty, staff, and alumni to be ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. Over the last three decades, SMU has expanded its reach and reputation both nationally and globally, enrolling increasingly high-achieving students from all 50 states and 90 countries.

The Division of Student Affairs at SMU plays a central role in shaping a transformative student experience, fostering an environment where students are empowered to thrive academically, socially, personally, and professionally. Guided by a mission to create purposeful learning and leadership opportunities, the division partners across the university to support student success, wellbeing, engagement, and belonging. The collective work of student affairs cultivates the skills students need to become impactful leaders and “world changers.”

The AVP-LI will have the opportunity to shape a vision for student engagement, leadership development, and community building while elevating some of the university's most visible and influential programs in a high-touch environment. The successful candidate will be an innovative and collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced, relationship-driven environment, is adept at navigating multiple stakeholders and competing interests, and brings the vision and courage to lead thoughtful innovation. Equally comfortable engaging students, partnering with faculty and campus leaders, and supporting talented staff, this leader will leverage SMU's extraordinary momentum to create meaningful opportunities for students to connect, belong, lead, and flourish. Above all, the AVP-LI will be deeply student-centered, embracing regular and meaningful engagement with students and ensuring that the student perspective remains at the forefront of planning, decision-making, and program development.

Southern Methodist University has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist with this important search. All applications, nominations, and inquiries are welcome. Applications should include a cover letter and a CV/resume.

Keight Tucker Kennedy is leading this search with Ivan Ceballos and Alexis Scott.

SMU will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, education activity, or admissions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. SMU’s commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.