I was recently asked by a colleague on LinkedIn "for those of us applying for VPSA positions currently, any suggestions on what might be outside of the routine interview questions that we might get at a VPSA interview? "
I had two answers to this question:
1) You need to be ready to answer ALL the questions (regardless of topic) with competence/confidence and at least one good example of how you have approached that topic in the past and had success.
2) I think it's harder to craft the questions that YOU will pose to the President, other cabinet members, board members, etc... Really take the time to do your research and have a BIG list of potential questions available. At the point that you make it campus, you have proven that you are qualified. Now you need show that you are a thought leader and capable of holding your own at the cabinet table!
Back to the original question. Here are some sample questions that I use with my Executive Coaching clients as they prepare for all stages of VPSA interviews:
Leadership and Vision
What is your vision for the future of our university? the future of student affairs at our university?
What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing higher education today, and how will you address them at our university?
How do you plan to balance the demands of the vice presidency with your personal life?
How does this role fit into your long-term career goals? How long can I expect you to stay in this role as the VPSA?
Why this institution? Why this role now?
DEI
How do you plan to promote a culture of inclusivity and diversity within the campus community?
Can you provide an example of how you've supported underrepresented students in your previous roles?
What measures would you take to ensure a safe and welcoming campus environment for all students?
Student Experience/Student Success
Can you provide an example of a challenging leadership situation you faced and how you resolved it?
How do you plan to enhance student engagement and foster a sense of community within the university?
Can you share an innovative program you've implemented in the past to enhance student life and improve student outcomes?
How do you stay adaptable and responsive to the changing needs and demographics of the student body?
How do you plan to improve the overall student experience, both academically and socially?
How would you work to improve student retention and graduation rates?
What role do you believe Student Affairs should play in supporting academic success?
Academics/Research
How do you plan to enhance the research capabilities of the university?
What strategies would you implement to improve the quality of education and the student experience?
How will you ensure that the university stays competitive in the global education landscape?
Financial Management/Resource Development
What experience do you have in managing large budgets and financial planning?
How would you approach fundraising and developing relationships with donors?
Can you discuss a time when you had to make a tough financial decision and its outcome?
Community and External Relations
How do you plan to engage with the local community and build partnerships that benefit both the university and the community?
How would you represent and advocate for the university at the national and international levels?
Student Safety/Emergency Management
What are your views on balancing student freedom with campus rules and regulations in residential communities?
What is your approach to policy development and implementation within student affairs?
What measures will you take to ensure student safety and well-being on campus?
How would you address the mental health crisis among students in higher education?
Can you provide an example of a crisis you managed in the past and the strategies you used to navigate it?
How would you handle a situation of campus unrest or protests?
Technology/Innovation
Can you give an example of how you've incorporated technology or innovative approaches to improve student services or programs?
How do you see technology transforming higher education, and how will you incorporate it within student affairs?
Staffing/Employment
What is your analysis of our current Student Affairs staffing? Where do you see opportunities for greater impact and efficiencies?
How would you describe your approach to collective bargaining and labor relations within the university?
AI TIP:
Upload the VPSA job posting into an AI tool like ChatGPT or Google Gemini and ask the tool to develop 10 behavioral interview questions from the job posting.
Here is a recent example from a Vice Chancellor of Student Success posting that I entered into Chat GPT:
Can you describe a time when you had to develop and implement a strategic plan in a higher education setting? How did you ensure it aligned with the institution's mission and vision, and what were the outcomes?
Tell us about a situation where you had to collaborate with different departments (e.g., Academic Affairs, Student Affairs) to enhance student success. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
Share an example of how you have contributed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable campus environment. What specific actions did you take, and what was the impact?
Describe a time when you used institutional data to identify trends and develop effective enrollment or retention initiatives. What was the process, and what results did you achieve?
Give an example of a crisis situation you managed that affected student welfare. How did you handle it, and what measures did you put in place to ensure compliance with safety, equity, and student-centeredness?
Can you talk about a program or initiative you led that significantly improved student engagement and success outside of the classroom? How did you measure its effectiveness?
Describe your experience in developing and monitoring a budget for a division or department within student affairs or student success. How did you ensure financial efficiency and effectiveness?
Tell us about a time when you were involved in recommending, developing, and implementing policies and procedures that promoted student success. How did you ensure these were aligned with institutional goals?
Provide an example of how you have represented your institution in the broader community to enhance student enrollment and engagement. What strategies did you use, and what was the outcome?
Share an instance where you had to analyze and revise student affairs programs or processes to better support the institution's mission, vision, and values. What was the situation, and what innovative solutions did you implement?
Here is the same posting Vice Chancellor of Student Success that I entered into Google Gemini:
Tell me about a time you had to develop a strategic plan for a complex issue in student affairs. How did you gather input from stakeholders, ensure alignment with the university's mission, and communicate the plan effectively?
Describe a situation where you had to make a difficult decision that impacted the student experience. How did you approach the situation, gather information, and communicate your decision to different groups?
MSUN serves a diverse student body, including students from Native American reservations. Share an example of how you have fostered an inclusive and equitable environment in a previous role, and how you would approach this at MSUN.
Imagine a scenario where MSUN is facing declining enrollment. What data-driven strategies would you implement to attract and retain students, considering the unique demographics of the area?
Describe a successful initiative you led to improve student retention or graduation rates at a previous institution. What were the key factors that contributed to its success?
MSUN prioritizes financial aid to ensure access for all students. Tell me about a time you balanced the need to provide financial assistance with maintaining fiscal responsibility.
MSUN places a strong emphasis on student engagement. Share an example of how you have created or supported programs that fostered a vibrant and engaging campus community.
Describe a situation where you had to address a challenging issue related to student conduct or safety. How did you approach the situation, ensure a fair and equitable outcome, and support the involved students?
MSUN functions as an important cultural resource in the community. How would you collaborate with local partners and stakeholders to further strengthen this role?
Effective communication is crucial in this role. Tell me about a time you had to navigate a complex situation involving different stakeholders with diverse perspectives. How did you ensure clear communication and build consensus?
What questions would you add to this list? Please share your ideas in the comments below.
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