Senior Vice Provost for Student Success (SVPSS)

Penn State seeks a visionary, collaborative, and results-oriented leader to serve as its inaugural Senior Vice Provost for Student Success (SVPSS). Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President and Provost, the SVPSS will serve as the University's chief strategist for student success and lead a comprehensive, institution-wide effort to improve student persistence, retention, graduation, career readiness, post-graduate success, and preparation for civic engagement.

The SVPSS will lead the new Office for Student Success, a central coordinating hub for existing and new student success functions. This leader will develop and implement a university-wide strategy; establish shared goals and accountability measures; strengthen collaboration across colleges, campuses, and administrative units; and champion the effective use of data, analytics, and emerging technologies to improve student outcomes. The role will also advance coordinated advising and student support, structured academic pathways, high-impact learning, career readiness, and equitable access to opportunities across Penn State's multi-campus community.

The successful candidate will bring substantial experience engaging the academic enterprise and advancing student success in partnership with faculty, staff, and academic leadership. Penn State seeks a strategic and highly respected leader with demonstrated success leading complex organizations and large-scale change; building partnerships and consensus; using data and evidence to guide decisions; and translating vision into measurable results. Candidates should demonstrate a deep commitment to student achievement, access, belonging, and equitable outcomes, along with integrity, sound judgment, strong communication skills, and an earned doctorate or equivalent terminal degree.

The position is open to candidates from a variety of professional backgrounds. Penn State is also open to considering a tenured faculty appointment for candidates whose academic credentials, scholarly accomplishments, and experience support such an appointment, consistent with University policies.

Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile. For full consideration, materials should be received by December 31, 2026.

Submit application materials and nominations through the WittKieffer candidate portal.

Nominations and inquiries may be directed to Suzanne Teer, Ashlee Musser, and Bronwen Bares Pelaez, Ph.D., at PennStateSVPSS@wittkieffer.com.

The listing and full leadership profile are available on the WittKieffer website.

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

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