University of Puget Sound, one of the nation’s leading residential liberal arts universities with noted graduate programs and among a select few “Colleges that Change Lives,” seeks an innovative and strategic leader to be its next Vice President for Enrollment (Vice President). This is a pivotal time in its 136-year history as Puget Sound executes on its strategic plan, Leadership for a Changing World, in a particularly dynamic national environment. The strategic plan challenges the University to be bold and forward looking in the delivery of education and in meeting the needs of current and future generations of students. The Vice President will play a critical role in advancing Puget Sound’s academic mission and fulfilling its promise to provide a distinct and exceptional education to its students.
Located in Tacoma, Washington, a city recently ranked No. 3 by CNN Travel as one of “America’s Best Towns to Visit in 2024,” Puget Sound has deliberately refocused its mission over the last 40 years as a national liberal arts university with graduate programs that are aligned with its undergraduate offerings, attracting an academically excellent student body and committed to increasing its socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity to meet the needs of a rapidly changing population of college students. Today, the University enrolls approximately 1,650 undergraduate students and over 280 graduate students on a picturesque 97-acre campus in Tacoma’s residential North End, which is recognized as one of the most beautiful campuses in America. Over 200 distinguished faculty members — who share a deep commitment to teaching — offer 1,200 undergraduate courses in 50 traditional and distinctively interdisciplinary programs of study. Puget Sound also offers graduate programs in Education, School Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Public Health. University of Puget Sound ranks among the top 100 National Liberal Arts Colleges in the US News & World Report 2024 edition of America’s Best Colleges and is in the distinctive position of being the sole independent liberal arts college in Western Washington and one of only five in the Pacific Northwest to have a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. The University is a top producer of Fulbright Scholars, reflecting the quality of its academic programs and the potential of Puget Sound students to make a global impact. Additionally, the recent accreditation of Puget Sound’s prison education program underscores its commitment to social justice and expanding access to higher education. Puget Sound graduates include Rhodes and Fulbright scholars, notables in the arts and culture, entrepreneurs and elected officials, and leaders in business and finance locally, regionally, and internationally.
The Vice President will report to President Isiaah Crawford, serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet, and oversee a staff of 30 in undergraduate and graduate admission, student financial services, admission operations, and enrollment marketing. They will also serve as the chief retention officer for Puget Sound, working as part of a team with cabinet peers in Academic Affairs, Institutional Equity and Diversity, and Student Affairs to advance Puget Sound’s ability to support, retain, and graduate all students. As a member of the cabinet, the Vice President will be a highly collaborative leader with the professional currency, drive, bold ambition, and communication skills to guide and catalyze ongoing institution-wide conversation about the vision, goals, and strategy for enrollment to enhance Puget Sound’s competitive standing. In addition, the Vice President will work closely with both the President and their cabinet peers to provide leadership for the institution as a whole.
The new leader will be action oriented with the ability to see or set trends in enrollment. They must possess a strong record of success, a commitment to collaboration and inclusion, and the technical and strategic skills necessary to provide immediate and ongoing inspiration and direction in enrollment planning, student recruitment, admission, retention, and financial aid. Exceptional leadership qualities with a commitment to supporting and advancing the work of a dedicated team in enrollment will be important. Equally significant, the Vice President will have a willingness to take calculated risks and the interpersonal skills and desire to contribute to a dynamic community and collaborate with all divisions — engaging with both faculty and staff — across campus.
A passion for and the ability to articulate the merits of a liberal arts education is highly desired, as is resourcefulness and creativity. Further requirements include exceptional skill with data and the capability to work with others to mine and utilize key demographic and market data that will lead to continued enrollment success.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile found at www.wittkieffer.com. Professional references are not requested at this time.
WittKieffer is assisting University of Puget Sound in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by September 16, 2024.
Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Amy Crutchfield and Corin Edwards
PugetSound-VPE@wittkieffer.com
This position has an anticipated annual salary between $200,000 and $240,000. Decisions about starting salaries are made based on the extent and relatedness of the candidate’s education and experience and market considerations.
Puget Sound offers a generous benefits package for eligible staff employees, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision
- Life insurance and long-term disability
- Executive AD&D insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Retirement plan options and 403(b) contributions
- Paid vacation, sick leave, floating holiday, campus holidays and bonus holidays
- Education benefits, such as full tuition for eligible employees and their families
- Access to university facilities and entertainment (fitness center, pool, library, concerts, lectures and more!)
For more information on Puget Sound’s benefits package, visit: https://www.pugetsound.edu/human-resources/benefits
For the Campus Holiday and Bonus Day Schedule, visit: https://www.pugetsound.edu/human-resources
Why move to Washington?
- Various opportunities for people who love to get out in nature and participate in outdoor recreation
- Cities and towns offer a wide variety of music, food, cultural activities
- Strong healthcare and education sector
- Washington has no personal income tax
University Diversity Statement
We acknowledge the richness of commonalities and differences we share as a university community; the intrinsic worth of all who work and study here; that education is enhanced by investigation of and reflection upon multiple perspectives.
We aspire to create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community; to increase the diversity of all parts of our University community through commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts; to foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community.
We act to achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity; to ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here; to prepare effectively citizen-leaders for a pluralistic world.
Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. To learn more please visit: https://pugetsound.edu/about-puget-sound-0/mission-core-values/institutional-equity-diversity.
University of Puget Sound is an equal opportunity employer.
