About the Position

The Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs (VPEMSA) is the senior administrator responsible for providing executive guidance, direction, and policy formation for the Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Division. Reporting to the President, the VPEMSA is an important member of the President’s Cabinet, has the primary leadership role for enrollment management services, develops a comprehensive enrollment management plan that supports overall institutional strategic goals and leads to an integrated recruitment and admissions effort. This position is also responsible for all aspects of a comprehensive student life program and works collaboratively with senior administrators, student leaders, faculty, and staff to create a campus environment that contributes positively to the overall student experience. This administrator fosters student learning in all dimensions of student life and has a strong commitment to diversity and a student-centered philosophy.

Responsibilities

Develop and direct a strong Enrollment Management and Student Affairs team; plans and manages the division budget and personnel staffing plan.

Build, lead, and motivate the appropriate teams to meet enrollment goals, including student headcount and financial sustainability.

Utilize and manage predictive models, data, and metrics to measure and report enrollment forecasts and budget impact as well as annually assesses the return-on-investment for student recruitment and retention initiatives.

Oversee the activity of enrollment management staff to create a culture of strong collaboration, across divisions, especially with the University Communication and Marketing Officer, Academic Affairs and within the enrollment management team.

Provide leadership in the ongoing development and analysis of Cal State East Bay’s enrollment management plan, retention programs, co-curricular retention programs, student life, and out of classroom learning environments for online and face to face students with an emphasis on progression towards degree completion/graduation.

Provide guidance, support and leadership to directors and AVP’s in the development of short and long range plans that support the achievement of goals that are aligned with the University’s Strategic Plan.

Collaborate with faculty, staff, and administrators to effectively address facilities, financial, legal and academic issues relating to students; cultivate trust and credibility with colleagues and foster high levels of cooperation between student life and academics.

Foster the development of a campus culture supportive of students from diverse backgrounds, most of whom come from the immediately surrounding region.

Review and oversee all division personnel matters; ensure successful recruitment and retention of a well-qualified, high performing team focused on the effective delivery of programs and services that enhance student retention and success; support ongoing training and professional development of staff.

Develop, implement and interpret procedures, processes, and policies; manage change in a thoughtful manner and establish best practices that are tailored to the unique needs and capabilities of the institution.

Assures adherence to state and federal regulations, university and system policies and accreditation standards.

Articulates the vision, mission and values of the University, both externally and internally; representing it with credibility and integrity.

Establishes a strong public presence on campus, attends campus-wide cultural, social, and athletic events, and builds positive relationships with the external community.

Other duties of all Cabinet Members

Perform other related duties as assigned by the President.

Work collaboratively as a team with other cabinet members and model and foster such collaboration at each level of the member’s unit/function.

Actively participate in institutional priority-setting.

Align unit/function priorities with institutional priorities, including inclusion and fairness priorities.

Serve as a representative of the President in communicating and supporting institutional priorities.

Escalate negative findings in a timely manner, identify challenges, propose solutions and coordinate implementation of approved solutions.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. or Ed.D. in a closely related field.

At least eight (8) years of increasingly responsible senior administrative experience in student affairs and enrollment management in higher education.

Desirable Qualifications

A record of successful leadership in the full array of enrollment and student services functions at a college or university.

Experience working with a population similar to that of the East Bay region.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of administrative practices within a student affairs environment; student services, including all aspects of student life, student activities, and out of classroom learning experiences on a predominantly commuter and online campus.

Knowledge of trends in higher education, strategic enrollment management, and student affairs.

Knowledge of the application of student development theory; able to promote an atmosphere that encourages intellectual openness, creativity and vision.

Excellent skills in fiscal management, supervision, strategic planning and human resource management.

Working knowledge of brand management and reputation building; ability to leverage Cal State East Bay’s unique qualities and programs to develop comprehensive enrollment marketing campaigns that drive measurable enrollment growth.

Knowledge of and understanding of youth culture, trends, and generational marketing approaches; ability to adapt enrollment strategies based on emerging trends and optimize student journey touchpoints from awareness to enrollment.

Demonstrated familiarity with current and emerging technologies relevant to enrollment management, such as CRM systems, predictive analytics, digital marketing platforms, and generational-oriented communication channels; ability to evaluate and implement new technologies to enhance recruitment effectiveness.

Understanding of sensitivity and commitment to educational equity within the context of enrollment management, ensuring inclusivity in student recruitment and retention efforts.

Ability to think clearly and execute sound decision-making under tight deadlines or high-stress situations.

Demonstrated ability to direct and analyze complex financial, human resources, and management information systems relevant to enrollment management.

Possess expertise in political acumen; knowledge of and ability to understand governance structures, particularly as they relate to enrollment management decision-making processes and stakeholder engagement.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral; ability to foster collaboration and engagement between internal/external constituencies.

Ability to develop strategic partnerships with K-12 districts, community colleges, employers, and community organizations.

Demonstrated passion and commitment to the mission, vision, and values of public regional universities like Cal State East Bay and a commitment to shared governance and the role of faculty.

Commitment to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive work environment with diverse colleagues and constituents, including faculty, students, staff, and members of the community.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience implementing successful enrollment growth strategies in higher education institutions, resulting in increased student enrollment and retention rates.

Experience utilizing data analytics and research methodologies to inform enrollment management strategies and decisions, leveraging insights to drive improvements in recruitment, admissions, and student success initiatives.

Experience in higher education administration, including fiscal and personnel management in a unionized environment.

Applications and Nominations

For more information about the institution, position, qualifications and application process, please download the full position profile on the .

Dr. Cynthia Patterson and Dr. Maria Thompson, Managing Directors and Senior Consultants with Academic Search, are assisting Cal State East Bay in this search. All inquiries, nominations, and applications will be held in strict confidence.

To learn more about this opportunity, potential applicants should send the following as two separate documents (PDF format preferred) to

A detailed cover letter , addressed to the search committe, expressing your interest in this position and addressing how you meet the qualifications as outlined in the profile.

A current resume/curriculum vitae (CV) .

Although nominations are not required to be considered for this position, leaders who know of outstanding candidates are welcome to submit confidential nominations by sending an email to . Please include the nominee’s full name, position, institution/organization, and email address.

Although the search remains open until the position is filled, for full consideration by the search committee, candidates should submit all application materials by Monday, October 27, 2025 .

Condition(s) of Employment

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including LiveScan, as appropriate), that may include, but is not limited to: criminal records check, verification of academic credentials, licenses, certificates, credit history, professional references and/or verification of work history is required for employment. Cal State East Bay will issue a conditional offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Unsatisfactory results may also affect the continued employment of current Cal State East Bay employees who were conditionally offered the position.

All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate. LiveScan is conducted through the University Police Department.

EEO Statement

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal State, East Bay provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. The CSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.