Mary Baldwin University Staunton, Virginia Position Prospectus. Chief Operations Officer Virginia Women s Institute for Leadership March 2018

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1 Mary Baldwin University Staunton, Virginia Position Prospectus Chief Operations Officer Virginia Women s Institute for Leadership March 2018

2 Mary Baldwin University invites nominations and applications for the position of Chief Operations Officer for the Virginia Women s Institute for Leadership (VWIL), a premiere leadership development program. Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled. Official posting can be viewed at Mary Baldwin University (MBU) Overview Mary Baldwin University (MBU) is a deliberately small, private, coeducational university enrolling 1,761 undergraduate and graduate students. Located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the main campus sits on 58 hilltop acres in downtown Staunton, Virginia and enrolls about 800 undergraduate residential students. A radical belief in student potential and in the transformative power of the liberal arts and sciences has guided Mary Baldwin University since its founding as Augusta Female Seminary in Mary Baldwin s history began with founder Rufus Bailey and what was then a revolutionary idea: that women, like men, should be well educated. A generation later, namesake Mary Julia Baldwin took the reins during the Civil War; afterward her cutting-edge innovations made the institution thrive. This history continues today with students who dare to make a difference, engage in service to their communities, and boldly initiate change in our neighborhood and around the world. Augusta Female Seminary was renamed Mary Baldwin Seminary in 1895 in honor of Miss Baldwin, and became Mary Baldwin College in On August 31, 2016, the institution became Mary Baldwin University to reflect its growing range of bachelor s, master s, and doctoral programs. Although much has evolved on campus since its early days in the mid- 1800s, including the addition of men in some of our programs, MBU continues to thrive as one of the finest residential colleges for women in the nation and a leader in personalized, transforming education. It is a pivotal and exciting time in the distinguished 175-year history of Mary Baldwin University. Since the founding of the seminary in 1842, the University has remained steadfastly committed to its mission of enriching lives through the power of empowering leaders to build lives of purpose and prosperity. At the same time the University has demonstrated the courage and will to innovate as the world changes around it. Imbued with an entrepreneurial spirit, the University has repeatedly introduced new methods and programs at the forward edge of educational trends and societal needs. Emphasizing global leadership and citizenship, MBU is noted for high academic standards, strong leadership development programs, a diverse student body, and innovative programs including the Virginia Women s Institute for Leadership. Mary Baldwin continues to educate both women and men and is one of the most diverse private universities in the country. Staunton is conveniently located in the beautiful historic Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Known for its historic architecture and charming downtown, it is home to a vibrant arts and music scene and offers a range of excellent dining, wine bars, and micro-breweries. With five National Historic Districts, Staunton is easily explored by foot. Its compact downtown features over one hundred unique shops, art galleries and restaurants. The City of Staunton was founded in The City is the birthplace of President Woodrow Wilson, and the city manager form of government. At the crossroads of Virginia, Staunton is a transportation hub with advanced rail, highway, and air access. The City is fortunate to have a superior telecommunications infrastructure with fiber, DSL and dial-up internet capabilities and several competing local, long distance, and cellular/digital phone providers. The City lies at the heart of Virginia s Education and Technology Corridor with nine colleges and universities regionally, and a Blue Ribbon local school system. Advanced health care facilities include Augusta Health. Staunton is within Augusta County which hosts corporate residents including Best Buy, Specialty Blades, Bruin, U.S.A., McKee Foods, Hershey Chocolate, Target Distribution Center and a host of other fine companies. Opportunities to explore the arts and culture abound in Staunton. Located very near the Mary Baldwin campus are the Blackfriars Playhouse, the only replica of Shakespeare s indoor theater, and the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library. The Heifetz International Music Institute makes its home at Mary Baldwin University each summer; along with the Staunton Music Festival, music lovers can fill the summer months with performances of superior quality. The community supports a thriving farmers market and excellent restaurants. Within 35 minutes of Staunton, there are 11 colleges and universities, all hosting educational and cultural events throughout the year. The Shenandoah Valley with the adjacent Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains offer scenic beauty and abundant opportunity for outdoor activities. The region features Shenandoah National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the George Washington National Forest, includes over 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail, and offers numerous other hiking and biking trails, spectacular caverns, trout fishing in mountain streams, golf, kayaking, and skiing. Vineyards and wineries abound in the region along with a growing range of other agribusiness.

3 The Virginia Women s Institute for Leadership (VWIL) premier leadership development program integrated into MBU s baccalaureate degree program The Virginia Women s Institute for Leadership at Mary Baldwin University provides an unparalleled opportunity for young women to develop the skills, discipline, knowledge, and character they need to succeed as principled, contributing citizens and leaders in their communities and chosen careers, whether civilian or military. Its design incorporates military structure, participation in ROTC (regardless of intent to commission), practice of collaborative civilian leadership styles, academic study of leadership, physical training, extracurricular workshops and seminars, and a leadership challenge program. VWIL is the only all-female corps of cadets in the nation, and perhaps in the world. Its Regimental System and the ROTC program provide extensive training in leadership and experience in a hierarchical organization that stresses the chain of command, accountability, and adherence to clear standards of performance. ROTC for all service branches is provided through a partnership with active-duty ROTC units headquartered at the Virginia Military Institute, giving students a coeducational military experience that complements the singlegender VWIL Corps of Cadets. Physical training (PT) is conducted on the MBU campus by ROTC instructors. ROTC courses are taught both at MBU and at VMI. Freshmen are required to take part in all ROTC classes and events scheduled throughout the academic year. At the end of the sophomore year, approximately 50% of cadets have the opportunity to continue on a commissioning track. Juniors and seniors who are contracted or seeking a military officer contract continue to participate in all ROTC activities while others transition to VWIL s citizen leader development track preparing leaders for public and private civilian occupations. VWIL is actively involved with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force ROTC departments on the selection of cadets competing for commissioning in Reserve, National Guard, and Active Duty. Additionally, VWIL cadets may compete for Coast Guard commissioning opportunities through CSPI and DCCS. VWIL s Class System allows students to learn the more collaborative leadership styles more prevalent in the civilian sector. The Class System is structured as a series of committees that are responsible for student conduct, academics, spirit and morale, and planning and implementing the first-year experience for freshmen and upper class cadets. Further supporting the development of a broad-based leadership toolkit is the fact that VWIL is an integral part of MBU s Residential University for Women. Cadets are encouraged and rewarded for their involvement in the broader life of the university beyond VWIL through student government, varsity sports, and clubs and organizations. MBU s Honor System, legacy of strong student governance, commitment to inclusive excellence, and emphasis on civic and global engagement complement VWIL s governing standards for truth, duty, and honor. The VWIL color guard has a growing public presence, is in demand for ceremonial occasions throughout the region, and has presented colors at many nationally significant events, including presenting for President George W. Bush and his cabinet at the Ronald Reagan Trade Center in Washington, D.C. The entire Corps participates in parades in New York, Richmond, Staunton, Lexington, and Roanoke. VWIL currently comprises about 100 cadets, approximately one-seventh of the student body of MBU s Residential University for Women. Since its first graduating class in 1999, VWIL has graduated over 400 young women and commissioned 140+ in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. The Chief Operations Officer will have the opportunity to help create the next thriving chapter of this exceptional program as we as we welcome our 23rd incoming class in Fall As MBU looks to its future, it seeks to evolve VWIL to be even more successful in preparing young women to succeed in civilian as well as military careers and to extend its influence to more young women by increasing the size of the Corps to about 175 young women by 2025.

4 History of MBU s Virginia Women s Institute for Leadership Development of VWIL began in 1993, at the request of the Commonwealth of Virginia, when the single-gender status of nearby Virginia Military Institute faced legal challenge. To maintain a diversity of options within the higher education system of Virginia, the state proposed that single-gender leadership programs, with opportunity for commissioning into the military, be offered at Mary Baldwin University and at VMI, while the co-educational opportunity be continued at Virginia Tech. In designing this unique program, faculty at Mary Baldwin University (already known for its success in developing innovative academic programs), drew on the latest research as well as their own experience in teaching young women. Dr. Brenda Bryant took the helm as founding director of the program and welcomed the first class of 42 students on August 22, Having served part time since 1995, Brigadier General N. Michael Bissell joined the staff as the first, full-time Commandant of Cadets in 1999 until his retirement in Since VWIL s inception, it has been associated with the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States (AMCSUS). While not formally designated as a Senior Military University, VWIL is actively involved in Senior Military University meetings, training, and conferences along with VMI, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, University of North Georgia, Norwich University, and the Citadel. In March 1996, the VWIL Corps of Cadets presented its first public parade, using recorded music. Since then the Corps has grown and now includes a marching band unit, a staff, a color guard, four rifle platoons, an honor guard, and a silent drill team. The VWIL Corps has marched in the inaugural parades of many Virginia governors. In March 2004, VWIL marched in the New York City St. Patrick s Day parade for the first time, took home second place among all collegiate marching units, and has participated every year since. The VWIL Corps also regularly marches in holiday and Veteran s Day parades in Staunton, Lexington, Richmond, and Roanoke, Virginia. VWIL maintains a very special relationship with the Alumni Association of the Staunton Military Academy (SMA), whose campus was acquired by Mary Baldwin University after the all-male military school closed in VWIL honors the distinguished SMA legacy, marching on the same ground and proudly carrying the SMA flag in its parades. The VWIL drill team, the Howie Rifles, continues the legacy of SMA s elite drill team, named for Major Thomas D. Howie a fallen WWII hero and SMA instructor. In 2001, a joint SMA-VWIL museum was established on the MBU campus, and the SMA Alumni Association supports VWIL through scholarships and networking. The VWIL program has welcomed dozens of distinguished visitors and enjoys the active participation of influential and accomplished professionals from the military as well as other areas of public service and the private sector. In , the VWIL Advisory Board of Visitors was established to provide a formal structure for such support. VWIL continues as a private-public partnership with modest financial support from the Commonwealth of Virginia and bipartisan support in the Virginia General Assembly. The VWIL Corps is one component of the Virginia Corps of Cadets, along with VMI and Virginia Tech; VWIL cadets represent about 5% of the total and about one-third of the women. VWIL s corps includes 72% cadets of minority races and ethnicity and 65% out-of-state.

5 Chief Operations Officer, Virginia Women s Institute for Leadership (VWIL) The Chief Operations Officer oversees the scheduled co-curricular and military components of the VWIL program, including physical training, ensuring that all cadets have the opportunity to develop leadership skills and understanding in preparation for both military and civilian careers. The Chief Operations Officer is responsible for the effective and smooth operation of the Regimental and Class Systems; guides and trains student leaders; assists in recruiting and retaining capable students. The Chief Operations Officer coordinates with university offices that support the cadet training program. The Chief Operations Officer creates an environment in which students can balance full participation in the Corps with meaningful engagement within the university as a whole, through athletics, student government, civic engagement, and other activities. Some weekend and evening hours are expected to support scheduled cadet activities. Because the Chief Operations Officer serves as a constant role model for cadets, her/his standards of performance must be high, judgment impeccable, and character beyond reproach. Above all, MBU seeks a capable, accomplished individual who will fulfill the responsibilities of the position with passion and energy, inspire students and colleagues to excellence, and wholeheartedly support the strategic goals of Mary Baldwin University. Qualifications: Bachelor s degree Extensive military service culminating as a senior non-commissioned officer or field grade officer Administrative, managerial, logistic experience Experience in leadership development programs for young adults in both military and civilian High standards of performance, impeccable judgment, and character beyond reproach Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence Excellent communication and presentation skills, strong management and organizational skills Strong interpersonal and counseling skills, ability to work collaboratively and to foster teamwork Preferences: Master s degree Experience with women-centered education and leadership development Physically fit, due to the physical fitness emphasis of this leader development program Thorough knowledge of protocol in both military and civilian settings Demonstrated ability to plan strategically and execute with attention to detail Responsibilities include but are not necessarily limited to the following: Assist the Commandant in advising, training, and guiding the cadet leaders of the VWIL Corps Serve as advisor to the cadet leaders for S1 (personnel), S2 (public relations), S3 (operations) Serve as advisor for drill and ceremony practices and armed/unarmed drill teams Supervise and assign tasks for cadets assigned as student employees for the VWIL program Plan & coordinate schedules, invitations, RSVPs, set-up and execution of the Corps major events Provide for security and access to supplies (e.g, demilitarized arms, uniforms, band instruments) Manage training and assignment of cadet drivers and report maintenance for fleet of eight vans Support budget management, code expenses, monitor vehicle expenses, organize cadet meals Serve as primary contact to update program social media sites for the VWIL Program To Apply: Submit letter of interest, resume, and current contact information for three professional references to the Chief Operations Officer Search Committee care of Brig Gen Terry Djuric, Commandant of Cadets, at tdjuric@marybaldwin.edu, or via U.S. mail to P.O. Box 1500, Staunton, VA Applications will be reviewed continuously until the position is filled. Nominations for the position are welcome and should be directed to the same address. Inquiries may be directed to the Commandant, P.O. Box 1500, Staunton, VA 24402; Mary Baldwin University does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender (*see exceptions for admission to programs within the College for Women), nor does the university discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, color, age, disability, religion, veteran s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression in its educational programs, admissions, co-curricular or other activities, or employment practices. *Exceptions within the College for Women: Virginia Women s Institute for Leadership, Program for the Exceptionally Gifted.