Vice President of Student Success & Student Life Search
President Loren Blanchard is pleased to launch the search for the next Vice President for Student Success and Student Life, a pivotal leader who will guide efforts to enhance student engagement, retention, and success. This role is central to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where all students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.
We encourage our community to actively participate in this important process. Your insights and involvement are invaluable in identifying a leader who will champion the needs and aspirations of our students. Opportunities to engage, including attending public forums, providing feedback, and collaborating with the search committee, will be shared as part of this process.
Together, we can ensure the selection of a leader who will help shape a bright and
promising future for our students and our institution.
Vice President of Student Success & Student Life Search Summary
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is seeking a visionary and inclusive leader to serve as its next Vice President of Student Success and Student Life. Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President will play a pivotal role in advancing access, retention, student learning, and success, while shaping the strategic vision for student life. The position’s anticipated start date is July 1, 2025.
UHD, a comprehensive four-year university in the heart of Houston, enrolls 14,000 students and offers affordable, career-focused bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The Division of Student Success and Student Life provides dynamic, student-centered services and programs that promote growth, celebrate diversity, and foster excellence.
For application instructions and more details, please refer to the full search profile. Applications are due by February 17, 2025, for full consideration.
Timeline of Executive Search:
January 2025: Executive search begins
February 2025: Deadline to apply is February 17, 2025.
March 2025: Search concludes, preliminary interviews begin.
April 2025: Preliminary interviews conclude, finalists Selected.
May 2025: Selected finalists interview on campus.
June 2025: Candidate selected and offer presented.
July 2025: Vice President of Student Success & Student Life anticipated start date, July 1, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Chair of the Search Committee will provide regular updates to the University of Houston-Downtown community at critical points in the search. Regular updates will be sent to you via email and updates will also be available on this site.
Search Committee members are restricted in the information they can share with the UHD community. The confidentiality statement, which all members have signed, requires that they not share any information discussed during Search Committee meetings and that they not share any information related to candidates, even after the search has closed.
The Chair is the only individual authorized to speak on behalf of the Search Committee and the search process. Please contact the Chair or search consultants if you have helpful information.
Internal candidates are vetted in the same way as external candidates. All candidates are assessed based on the criteria laid out in the Search Profile. The Committee will very carefully select the strongest candidates, either internal or external, for further consideration based on the search qualifications and experience.
Many of our candidates will hold key positions at other institutions or organizations and will only apply if confidentiality is guaranteed. Members of the Search Committee have signed an agreement that secures confidentiality for all discussions and deliberations related to the presidential search.
Nominate a Leader for Student Success & Student Life
*The University of Houston-Downtown is being assisted by Ms. Maya Kirkhope, Vice President and Senior Consultant and Dr. Timothy Mottet, Senior Consultant; both at Academic Search. Applications should be submitted as two separate PDF documents and include: 1) a letter of application addressing how your experiences align with the leadership agenda, 2) a current curriculum vitae (CV), showing relevant administrative responsibilities and accomplishments. Inquiries, nominations, and applications should be sent to UHDVP3SL@academicsearch.org.