Job Title: Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA

Summary

MIT seeks a Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education to play a pivotal role in creating best-in-class academic experiences for students at the Institute and overseeing efforts to implement this vision. This senior leadership position requires a deep understanding of higher education in general and MIT in particular, a commitment to academic excellence, and a commitment to fostering innovation and inclusivity. 

Reporting to the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor works closely with staff, faculty, leadership, and students to promote academic excellence and services, playing a critical role in shaping and advancing the educational experience at MIT, 

The Vice Chancellor’s portfolio is extensive, covering areas such as recruitment and admissions, financial aid, student systems, advising, professional and career development, pedagogy, experiential learning, and support for MIT’s 100+ graduate programs.

The Vice Chancellor will be a currently tenured faculty member at MIT with experience successfully managing large enterprises within academia or elsewhere. 

In addition, the role requires:

  • Significant experience in academic leadership roles, such as department chair, dean, or equivalent, demonstrating strategic leadership and effective management skills. 
  • Ability to oversee a large and complex operation including a ~$51 million annual budget, 12 programmatic units, and ~320 staff members.
  • Commitment to promoting inclusive excellence in higher education and fostering a supportive campus environment that reflects the values of MIT. 
  • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to authentically engage multiple stakeholders, articulate strategic priorities, respond to crises, and represent MIT effectively to external audiences. 

All inquiries, nominations, and applications for this position will be handled in the strictest confidence.

Background

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is conducting an internal faculty search for a visionary, collaborative leader to serve as the Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education in the Office of the Vice Chancellor (OVC). The Office of the Vice Chancellor (OVC) was created in 2017 through the merger of two offices: the Dean of Undergraduate Education (DUE) and Office of Graduate Education (OGE).

The Vice Chancellor reports to MIT’s Chancellor, who oversees student life and learning at MIT and provides the opportunities, services, and support that enable MIT students to become their whole selves—from the admissions process to Commencement, and through every challenge and triumph of their graduate and undergraduate studies. 

The Vice Chancellor’s portfolio broadly consists of all things related to undergraduate and graduate students’ academic experience with the exception of faculty-governed curricula. OVC’s offices and programs provide a wide range of academic programming and services for students, faculty, and staff who work with students. OVC serves both undergraduate and graduate students, integrating and leveraging functions when possible. OVC aims to improve students’ experiences in areas such as recruitment and admissions, financial aid, student systems, advising, professional and career development, pedagogy, and experiential learning.

As a member of the Chancellor’s leadership team, the Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education partners with the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor & Dean of Student Life, IDHR, and with students, faculty, and staff across the Institute to support the whole student. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

The Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education catalyzes, coordinates, and leads institutional efforts to enhance MIT students’ academic experiences. The Vice Chancellor’s portfolio includes the following offices and their subunits:

The Vice Chancellor works closely with faculty governance and departmental and school administrators to develop, implement, and administer policies, standards, procedures, and programs related to undergraduate and graduate education. Examples include oversight of financial aid policy and appointments for graduate students. 

The Vice Chancellor serves as the primary educational point of contact for key student organizations such as the Undergraduate Association and the Graduate Student Council. Additionally, the Vice Chancellor directly administers MIT’s relationship with the graduate student union. 

The Vice Chancellor will have responsibilities associated with the role of principal investigator for MIT’s research fellowship agreement with the National Science Foundation.

The Vice Chancellor serves as a member of MIT’s Academic Council to confer on matters of Institute Policy, including the review of faculty promotions. The Vice Chancellor also serves on the Committee on the Undergraduate Program, Committee on Graduate Programs, and Enrollment Management Group.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor has an annual operating budget of approximately ~$51 million and a staff of approximately ~320 employees. 

The Vice Chancellor directly supervises 13 staff positions + 3 faculty directors and provides general support to others.

Key Priorities 

  • Continue major OVC developments and initiatives currently underway including:
  • Undergraduate Advising: OVC has made great strides in improving undergraduate advising with the creation of the Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC). Now in the final year of a four-year implementation plan, the UAC will serve MIT students for their entire undergraduate experience, complementing faculty and departmental advising with a holistic approach to advising the whole student. When fully staffed, the UAC will house 23 staff members and be located in a new undergraduate advising hub located on the first floor of Building 11. This renovation project is currently in the design phase and is slated for occupancy in Fall 2025. 
  • Graduate student advising, mentorship, and professional development. 
  • Task Force on the MIT Undergraduate Academic Program.
  • MIT Graduate Student Unionization: MIT and the MIT GSU have their first collective bargaining agreement effective through May 31, 2026. 
  • OVC Staff Council: This newly launched council is charged with enhancing work culture, advancing high-priority initiatives, and creating a more inclusive OVC community.
  • Pedagogical best practices.
  • Maintain MIT’s long-standing commitment to fostering a talented and inclusive student body. 
  • In partnership with DSL, ICEO, and others, bolster and institutionalize student education about living in diverse communities, MIT’s values, free speech, and constructive communication across differences. 
  • Align OVC’s portfolio and operations to Presidential priorities (e.g., climate and AI), as appropriate. 

Personal Qualities & Professional Qualifications

The Vice Chancellor will be an experienced senior leader, a highly skilled manager, and a sought-after colleague to campus partners. The Vice Chancellor will be a collaborator and connector who will identify opportunities with MIT students, DLCs, faculty, and staff to advance the goals of MIT, the Chancellor’s Office, OVC, and its constituent units. The Vice Chancellor will be able to respond quickly and effectively to unpredictable, complex, and consequential situations (e.g.,the COVID pandemic, unionization campaigns, and external political pressures) with a commitment to effective change management and transparency. 

The Vice Chancellor will appreciate the uniqueness of an MIT education and will bring a deep understanding of and unwavering commitment to the values that drive and guide the work of the OVC: student-centeredness, integrity, community, diversity and inclusion, collaboration, and innovation. 

The Vice Chancellor will be drawn from the ranks of currently tenured professors at MIT. While no single candidate will have all the ideal qualifications, MIT seeks candidates with the following experiences, abilities, and qualities:

  • A doctoral degree or terminal degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution; strong record of teaching, research, and scholarly achievements
  • Experience with strategic planning, program and personnel management, budgeting and finance
  • Exceptional ability to multitask, attention to detail, and high levels of organization
  • Ability to oversee a large and diverse professional workforce comprising ~320 staff members across 12 offices and many sub-units; commitment to a climate of openness and mutual respect while building staff morale and supporting high-quality work.
  • Forward-thinking, collaborative leadership style with a shared problem-solving approach; ability to intentionally and authentically engage others in designing and implementing an ambitious, long-term vision to enhance the quality and relevance of undergraduate and graduate education at MIT. Ability to manage change and build consensus.
  • Superior communication skills including the ability to craft and articulate a compelling message about the mission of the OVC and its constituent units to internal and external audiences; clarity and effectiveness in written and oral presentations
  • Exceptional negotiation and conflict resolution skills; sound judgment, creative problem-solving skills, and a positive attitude; discretion in working on sensitive or confidential matters with senior leaders, students, colleagues, and community members
  • Champion of inclusive excellence to ensure an accessible, welcoming, and supportive environment for all students, faculty, and staff; must be able to work effectively with highly diverse staff and student populations
  • Experience in working with Resource Development in donor cultivation and stewardship
  • An appreciation for the unique, problem-solving, hands-on nature of MIT’s culture
  • Ability to meet a flexible work schedule, including evenings and/or weekends and occasional travel
  • Experience with student unionization is a plus

Supervision Received

This position receives general supervision and direction from the Chancellor. 

Supervision Exercised

This position directly supervises:  

  • Associate Dean and Director, International Students Office
  • Associate Dean and Director, Undergraduate Advising Center
  • Dean of Admissions and Student Financial Services
  • Director, Teaching and Learning Laboratory
  • Executive Director, Office of Career Advising and Professional Development
  • Registrar
  • Senior Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Education
  • Headquarters:
    • Administrative Assistant
    • Chief of Staff/Senior Associate Dean for Experiential Learning
    • Director of Administration and Finance
    • Director of Human Resources
    • Director of Special Projects
    • Senior Advisor for Communications
  • 3 Faculty Directors for the First-Year Learning Communities (Concourse, ESG, Terrascope)
  • Partnership with the ROTC programs 

Application Process

To apply for the position of Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education at MIT, please submit a statement of interest and curriculum vitae to vcsearch24@mit.edu.

MIT is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin. The Office of the Vice Chancellor values diversity and inclusion and seeks to build and maintain a community and culture that celebrates and values diverse backgrounds, identities, and perspectives.