1. So, you want to be an AVP? Case studies, tips for success and a window into the AVP experience.
Nicole Boulais & David Bagley
Rochester Institute of Technology
Monday, March 5, Convention Center, ROOM 125

2. Presenters Nicole Boulais Dave Bagley AVP since 2008
26 years in Student Affairs
18 years at RIT
MA in Student Personnel
PhD in Ed Leadership, Higher Ed
Married, 4 Children including triplets
AVP since 2016
20 years in Student Affairs
4 ½ years at RIT (1 year as AVP)
MS in Counselor Education
Married, 3 Children including twins

3. Case Study #1
It is the first day of your spring semester. Your College Activities Board announces their winter festival act slated to perform in about 2 ½ weeks. Initial “energy” is very positive, especially for those that are familiar with the performer. For those that do not know or have never heard of the performer, they Google to learn more. You come to find out the performer was recently accused of the sexual harassment by a former staff member and provided a full confession and apology 5 days before your announcement. You immediately get negative feedback and a push to cancel the show by numerous members of the community. Your student leaders want to use this as a learning opportunity and go forward with the show, but Sr. Officials are asking to cancel.

4. Key Questions
What are the issues you need to consider?   What campus partners do you engage with in consulting with this challenge?   How do you handle this situation without jeopardizing your strong relationship with your student leaders and your role in supporting Sr. officials/University?

5. Case Study #2
In your role as AVP you are charged with bringing a large team together consisting of several different functional areas to better align with current strategic directions and divisional demands. You have worked with your team over the summer planning period to outline a new vision/mission statement. Then a crisis hits, followed by another, and another. Soon you find that you and your team are overwhelmed by unexpected events, daily operational requirements, and personal challenges… And then you learn that another area will be moved under your umbrella effective immediately. You had planned a retreat to share the outcomes of the summer planning work with your team and to spend time focusing on the valuable and exciting student development goals and innovative initiatives for the upcoming year. Your retreat is planned for next week.

6. Key Questions
What are the issues you need to consider?   What do you do with the retreat?

7. Case Study #3
In mid-February a major storm comes through and knocks out power to many areas in your city, including both on and off campus apartments that your students (approximately 2000) reside in. The main campus has power, including all academic and administrative buildings. Initial projections for recovery of power is at least 48 hours and the temperature is forecast to be below freezing for the next week. The University makes the decision to remain open and to maintain regular class schedules, including a planned career fair that brings over 300 employers recruiting over 1500 of your students. In your role as AVP and as part of the critical incident response team you are asked to coordinate with campus partners to support those in need of temporary housing. In addition, you have an upcoming deadline for a budget report that is critical in your planning for the year ahead and your staff mid year performance reviews are scheduled for this week.

8. Key Questions
What are the issues you need to consider?   What is the potential impact on your campus?   What campus partners do you engage with in consulting with this challenge?

9. Case Study #4
Part of your AVP duties include serving in an on-call rotation for serious campus issues with students or student facilities. You are headed home for the weekend, looking forward to some much needed time with family, and a call comes in regarding concerning student behavior with significant implications for the campus. You make some initial calls and update key stakeholders but the situation will require management throughout the weekend in collaboration with many partners across the campus. You have weekend plans that can be adjusted or cancelled if needed but which are important to you and your family. You were also planning to attend a campus sporting event and a student event over the weekend.

10. Key Questions
What are the issues you need to consider?   How do you handle this situation given the competing priorities on your plate?

11. Managing in Crisis with Losing Sight of Day to Day Work
Work Life Integration
Managing in Crisis with Losing Sight of Day to Day Work
Managing Up (Down)…and Sideways
Working in a Dynamic and Rapidly Changing Team Environment
Working with Student Leaders and Professional Staff… Being Fair to Each

12. Is AVP right for me? Reflection Activity – Handout NASPA Resource:
Hecht & Pina, AVP: Leading from the Unique Role of Associate/Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs (2016)

13. Thank you for joining us today!
Please remember to complete your online evaluation following the conference.
See you in Los Angeles in 2019!