Vice President Student Success

Position Title

Vice President for Student Success

VP Enrollment Management

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette), a major national research university, seeks an experienced, collaborative, and mission‑aligned enrollment and student success leader to serve as Vice President for Student Success (VPSS) during an important period of institutional renewal and strategic advancement. Reporting to the President, the VPSS will provide leadership and strategic direction for university‑wide efforts to improve student recruitment, access, retention, progression, graduation, and post‑graduation outcomes.

As a senior leader, the VPSS will work closely with academic affairs, student affairs, enrollment management, and institutional research to design, implement, and assess integrated student success initiatives that support academic excellence, institutional sustainability, and student well‑being. The VPSS will be expected to align the student‑success operation with the University’s vision and to bring innovative practices that drive student and university success in several key areas: strengthening recruitment through multi‑year planning that expands the applicant pipeline and improves enrollment within undergraduate and graduate programs;

developing enrollment strategies aligned with UL Lafayette’s academic portfolio, with attention to programs meeting workforce and economic priorities; and advancing innovation in enrollment operations, including the evaluation and implementation of technologies, predictive analytics, and financial aid optimization.

Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing refinement of comprehensive enrollment and student success strategies that are aligned with UL Lafayette's mission, academic priorities, and financial goals. Serve as the institutional leader for student‑recruitment growth, while partnering closely with the Provost to implement student‑retention strategies as a central enrollment lever. Provide leadership for data‑informed student‑success strategies spanning recruitment, onboarding, growth/progression in academic major, graduation, and career placement.

Align student‑success priorities with the university’s strategic plan, accreditation standards, UL System, and State of Louisiana performance metrics.

Implement targeted recruitment initiatives, including digital campaigns, that reflect evolving technologies, consumer expectations, and market trends. Collaborate with communications and marketing to develop strategies that effectively reach and engage prospective students and their families. Develop compelling recruitment, yield, and conversion campaigns to enhance UL Lafayette’s reputation and visibility at local, regional, national, and international levels. Strengthen existing and establish new relationships with high school guidance counselors, faculty (subject matter experts, and administrators) to position UL Lafayette as a “go‑to destination” for undergraduate and graduate education.

Leverage UL Lafayette Alumni in building relationships within high schools and the communities in which they operate.

Once a student enrolls and arrives on campus, the VPSS will also manage the student‑success pipeline, which includes academic advising, first‑year experience programs, learning support, TRIO and access programs, retention initiatives, undergraduate research, and career services. Promote evidence‑based practices such as proactive advising, early alert systems, and high‑impact learning and support strategies. Ensure coherence and alignment across academic and co‑curricular student‑success efforts.

Integrate Career Services early in the student’s journey by connecting them with part‑time jobs related to their field of study, internships, etc. Additionally, the VPSS is expected to engage Career Services early and often in a student’s academic progression. Leverage UL Lafayette Alumni in building career mentoring, guest speaking, internship offerings, and on‑campus recruiting.

Lead the use…