Union College, a historic and distinguished residential liberal arts college, seeks an innovative, strategic, and inspiring leader to serve as its next vice president for admissions, financial aid, and enrollment.
Founded in 1795 and located in Schenectady, New York, Union is one of the oldest colleges in the nation and the first to redefine traditional liberal arts education with the inclusion of modern languages, science, and engineering early in its history. As technology advances and the boundaries between disciplines are increasingly blurred, Union’s integrated approach to liberal arts and engineering combined with exceptional faculty, motivated students, and supportive alumni provides an outstanding platform to continue a rich history of innovation and propel the College toward a bold future. At Union, students and faculty work side-by-side in a collaborative and intellectually vibrant environment that extends beyond the classroom. Learning happens both on campus and out in the world, with opportunities for hands-on research, community engagement, and global exploration. The College’s picturesque campus, nestled in a dynamic mid-sized city, offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and urban energy. Union College benefits from proximity to Albany, New York City, Boston, and Montreal. The area offers a mix of urban amenities and natural beauty, including theaters, restaurants, and access to the Adirondack, Berkshire, and Catskill Mountains for outdoor recreation.
The next vice president will join an ambitious and innovative institution, ever committed to its founding mission and ready to push itself in new ways to meet the challenges and opportunities of the present and future. The vice president will report to President Elizabeth Kiss, who joined Union on July 1, 2025, as its 20th president. The new enrollment leader will collaborate with the president and senior leadership team to enhance Union’s existing momentum, which is characterized by new academic programs, the expansion of academic and athletic facilities, and an enriched residential experience for students.
As the Union College community comes together to advance a data-informed plan for enrollment, the vice president will serve as the guiding force, contributing the ideas, strategy, vision, and leadership necessary to realize these aspirations. Leading an area of significant impact, the vice president has broad responsibility for recruiting and enrolling a highly talented student body that brings diversity in all its forms. With responsibility for admissions and financial aid, the vice president will provide dynamic, bold, and inspirational leadership to an exceptionally strong and dedicated staff that will welcome new and creative methods to achieve enrollment results.
This is a highly visible role that requires strategic insight, data fluency, out-of-the-box thinking, and a deep commitment to students. The next vice president will bring a passion for the synergy of liberal arts, science, and engineering and will work in partnership with the president and senior leadership team to secure Union’s place as the national leader in integrated liberal arts education. Union seeks a dynamic, entrepreneurial professional who understands the evolving landscape of higher education and is energized by the challenge of driving enrollment progress.
Union College is seeking a leader who can inspire action across the College to galvanize enrollment efforts. The ideal candidate will possess depth in enrollment, strong professional connections, and the presence to serve as a persuasive ambassador for Union, amplifying the College’s story across multiple platforms. The successful candidate will be able to set clear goals, monitor progress, and make adjustments with agility. Analytical prowess with the ability to uncover meaning for evidence-based strategies is essential, as is the ability to translate enrollment priorities and tradeoffs to diverse constituencies. Additionally, the vice president will embrace calculated risks, challenge convention, and constantly seek new ways to meet enrollment goals.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.
WittKieffer is assisting Union College in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by November 28, 2025.
Application materials should be submitted through WittKieffer’s candidate portal using the buttons below.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Amy Crutchfield, Robin Mamlet, and Robert Springall
Based on competitive market information, a base salary for this position is anticipated to be in the range of $240,000 to $260,000. This is negotiable based upon experience and supplemented by a comprehensive and competitive Union College benefits package. Compensation for the successful candidate will be commensurate with experience, education, market, and institutional considerations.
Union College is an equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to student and workforce diversity.
Union College is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its application process for individuals with disabilities and encourages applicants with disabilities to request any needed accommodation(s).
Union College’s Strategic Plan highlights the role of diversity in providing an effective education for the 21st century at the heart of our mission and vision for the College. Diversifying the student body, the faculty, the administration, the staff, and the curriculum requires a commitment to honor our mission and advance our goals. Union provides a blend of intellectual, social, and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social, and personal development of a diverse community. We value and are committed to a host of diverse populations and cultures, including, but not limited to, those based on race, religion, ability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and national origin.