Job Details

Associate Vice President for University Housing Services

Position Number: 6515667
Location: San Jose, CA
Position Type: Residence Life and Housing

San José State University (SJSU) seeks a visionary and collaborative leader to serve as the inaugural Associate Vice President for University Housing Services (AVPUHS) within the Division of Student Affairs.

Founded in 1857, San José State University (SJSU) is the oldest public institution of higher education on the West Coast. Located in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, SJSU is the fifth largest of the 22 campuses of the California State University (CSU) system and the largest four-year university system in the United States. It is one of the most diverse universities in the U.S., with over 85% of its population self-reporting as students of color and 42% identifying as first-generation college students. It is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). As one of the 200 top research universities in the nation, SJSU has robust NSF and NIH-funded research programs and one of the highest levels of research funding in the CSU system. The rigorous coursework it offers to over 36,000 undergraduate and graduate students and the opportunity to graduate with less than half the average student debt of their California counterparts are some of the reasons why Money Magazine ranked SJSU the #1 most transformative university.

San José State University is poised to evolve and innovate with strong enrollments, a renewed commitment to excellence in teaching and research, an ongoing and strong connection to the surrounding San José and Silicon Valley community, and furthering its social justice mission of access and equity. This is an exciting time to join the SJSU community and the Division of Student Affairs as Dr. Mari Fuentes-Martin builds an innovative and forward-thinking leadership team with the elevation of this AVPUHS role and the recent hiring of two other Associate Vice Presidents. The AVPUHS will be a key thought partner as this dynamic team aligns division structures and goals with institutional priorities and redefines the SJSU student experience.

University Housing Services (UHS) at SJSU houses over 5,000 students across eight residential communities with varied living arrangements and plays a critical role in student engagement, student success, and campus life. With a $72M+ operating budget and a dedicated team of 70+ professional staff and 350+ student staff, UHS is a complex and growing enterprise that is central to the student experience at SJSU. The AVPUHS is the chief housing officer and will provide strategic leadership for all aspects of university housing, including residential life and learning communities, administrative operations, business and financial services, occupancy and assignments, conference housing, health and wellness initiatives, student conduct, and housing communications. Key priorities include delivering a model residential program that supports retention and belonging, completing and executing a comprehensive housing master plan, and cultivating partnerships across campus to enhance the student experience. By leveraging data and amplifying student voices, the AVPUHS will gain a deep understanding of the lived experience of SJSU's diverse student population and design housing systems and services that reflect their needs.

The ideal candidate will be a skilled communicator who brings at least ten years of progressive leadership experience in university housing, student affairs, or a related field, with at least five years serving at the director level or above. The next UHS leader will have a proven track record in strategic planning, fiscal oversight, and staff development. A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred. The new AVPUHS will have demonstrated expertise in housing operations, student development, and experience working with diverse student populations, as well as competency in managing large-scale residential facilities and collaborating across diverse campus units. Familiarity with CSU systems and auxiliary models is desirable.

WittKieffer is assisting SJSU in this search. Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile. Professional references are not requested at this time. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by October 13, 2025. However, candidates will be considered until an appointment has been made.

Nominations, inquiries, and application materials can be directed to Jen Meyers Pickard, Ph.D., Corin Edwards, and Bronwen Bares Pelaez, Ph.D. at SJSU-AVPUHS@wittkieffer.com.

The salary for the role is anticipated to be between $205,000-$225,000. The final hiring salary is commensurate with experience.

San José State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all SJSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).