Director, Residence Life at Virginia Union University

Virginia Union University (VUU) is a distinguished private institution founded in 1865 that proudly upholds a legacy of academic excellence and community engagement. With a historic 86-acre campus, it offers a dynamic and nurturing environment for its 1,568 undergraduate and graduate students. Virginia Union University is recognized in the 2024 edition of U.S. News & World Report, holding a prestigious position as #39 among Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

VUU provides a robust array of academic programs, including 35 Bachelor's, 11 Master's, and one Doctoral degree. Virginia Union University remains steadfast in its commitment to offering accessible, high-quality education, instilling a sense of assurance and confidence in its students. It fosters a vibrant intellectual community dedicated to the holistic development of future leaders.

 Five fundamental principles (core values) guide Virginia Union University. Each principle is essential to our ability to provide a Best-In-Class educational experience for students, faculty, and staff. These principles help our community understand the right path to fulfilling our institution's mission. The principles are Innovation, Spiritual Formation, Integrity, Diversity & Inclusion, and Excellence.

The Residence Life Director provides vision, leadership, and oversight for the university’s residential life program, fostering a safe, inclusive, and engaging living-learning environment that supports student success, personal growth, and community development. This position is responsible for the administration of all aspects of residential life, including staff supervision, housing operations, student programming, crisis management, and policy enforcement.

Responsibilities

• Direct, manage, and assess all residence life operations, ensuring alignment with the university’s mission and student success goals.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate departmental goals, policies, and procedures.
• Oversee housing assignments, occupancy management, and housing contract processes in collaboration with campus housing services.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate professional, graduate, and student staff members.
• Provide ongoing professional development and leadership opportunities for residence life staff.
• Create a supportive and inclusive work culture that fosters collaboration and excellence.
• Oversee the design and delivery of educational and social programming that enhances student engagement, diversity, wellness, and leadership development.
• Foster a residential experience that integrates academic support, co-curricular learning, and community responsibility.
• Serve as an advocate for residential students and their developmental needs.
• Provide leadership in crisis response, student interventions, and emergency preparedness within residence halls.
• Collaborate with the Office of Student Conduct to ensure fair and consistent application of residential policies.

Education

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field.
• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in residence life, housing, or student affairs.
• Strong understanding of student development theory and best practices in residence life.
• Must be able to lift 10 pounds.

Application Process

Candidates are required to submit their resume, four professional references and a cover letter. The application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. A background investigation and reference check will be required prior to employment. For any questions or concerns, please contact [email protected].

Equal Opportunity Employer

Virginia Union University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other protected class.

For more information about Virginia Union University, visit VUU About Page.