How to Become a College Vice President | Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (2024)

All colleges and universities need professionals to lead employees and execute plans so the institution can run successfully. A college vice president can help lead the institution through highs and lows, oversee employees and staff operations, and help the school navigate adverse situations.

Those seeking a role as a college vice president should consider the Doctor of Education: Leadership (Ed.D.) degree through the School of Education at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Those looking to advance their career in education by becoming a college vice president should enroll in our Doctor of Education: Leadership program.

Doctor of Education: Leadership (Ed.D.)

The Doctor of Education: Leadership (Ed.D.)program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota can be completed in four years, either remotely or in person. This includes all coursework, plus the comprehensive exam and dissertation. In a total of 61 credits, students can transform into leaders who are ready for careers in education leadership. They are also prepared for leadership positions in business, healthcare, or nonprofits. Program highlights include:

• Learn from full-time, seasoned faculty with real-world experience in the field who ensure students gain practical and updated knowledge.
• Learn alongside peers with diverse career and personal backgrounds to gain insights from various perspectives.
• Become part of a community of over 500 program alumni for networking and connecting.

Students in this program are taught how to:

• Create and nurture learning organizations
• Demonstrate leadership competencies
• Engage in complex critical thinking
• Engage others with justice, empathy, compassion, and cultural competence
• Lead appropriate organizational change
• Operate in a complex, global environment

You can find out more about the program in an information session, or view the webinar archive.

Many key skills can help a college vice president succeed, such as:

Communication

Strong communication skills are important for potential college vice presidents because they interact with staff, clients, and other stakeholders. A career as a college vice president can entail a lot of writing, correspondence, and negotiation.

Emotional Intelligence

A college vice president may oversee multiple employees and teams. Knowing how to read people’s actions and understanding reactions are part of the duties of a college vice president. In this position, motivation and understanding are key skills to have.

Monitoring

As someone who will be overseeing multiple people, a college vice president may supervise goal-setting and performance benchmarks. Being able to assess someone’s performance accurately can help make them a standout employee.

Sound Judgement

A college vice president is responsible for making decisions on behalf of others in leadership roles. A person in this role should be able to think logically and analytically to make decisions that can benefit the organization.

Strong Work Ethic

Ethical leadership helps to maintain the reputation of an educational organization. A college vice president who encourages their employees to work ethically creates a positive workplace environment that the public and employees can trust.

Transparency

Transparency and sincerity can help employees and the public trust a college vice president. These elements are necessary for a successful organization.

The skills that make someone a successful college vice president can also help them move up to become college presidents or succeed in roles as CEOs or C-suite leaders in other industries.

According to Salary.com, the median salary for a college vice presidentis $230,969 per year. This salary varies between educational institutions.

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