Director of University Mission and Mission Engagement
Job Summary
To support, advance, integrate, and assess the Lasallian Catholic mission of the university across every dimension of the institution, ensuring that mission is not merely preserved but actively shapes institutional culture, decision-making, academic excellence, and the community’s life in intentional and impactful ways.
In addition, this position simultaneously holds the endowed Co-Chair of the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership (Winona and Rochester focused) in collaboration with the other Co-Chair (SGPP and online focused). The two chairs will be visionary leaders advancing the university’s mission of character, virtue, and ethics (CVE) formation within the Lasallian Catholic tradition. The Winona and Rochester-focused Co-Chair oversees the ethical leadership initiatives tailored to the traditional undergraduate population, emphasizing integration between programs, units, the general curriculum and the student experience while fostering relationships within the two respective communities, Winona and Rochester.
Salary Range: $72k - $85k
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Institutional Mission
- Lead the University's Lasallian Catholic mission initiatives.
- Promote mission integration across all divisions, units, and segments.
- Ensure mission remains central to institutional planning and strategic initiatives.
Faculty and Academic Engagement
- Partner with Academic Affairs to integrate mission throughout the curriculum.
- Coordinate faculty mission formation.
- Support mission-centered pedagogy.
- Assist with new faculty orientation.
- Collaborate with deans and academic leadership.
Employee Formation
- Design and implement formation opportunities for faculty and staff.
- Coordinate annual mission programming.
- Develop leadership formation rooted in the University's Lasallian and Catholic
Board and Executive Leadership
- Coordinate trustee mission formation.
- Support presidential initiatives related to mission.
- Assist with mission-focused strategic planning.
- Prepare mission-related reports for accreditation and Board committees.
Mission Assessment
- Develop measurable indicators of mission effectiveness.
- Coordinate mission assessment for accreditation.
- Oversee mission surveys and institutional benchmarks.
- Ensure continuous improvement in mission integration.
University Engagement
- With the Exec Director, the Co-Director and team assist in leading the Hendrickson Institute and Forum and other signature mission events.
- Coordinate lectures, conferences, debates, panel discussions and the like as well as assisting in hosting visiting scholars.
- Cultivate partnerships with dioceses, religious communities, Catholic organizations, and Lasallian ministries.
- Foster alumni and donor engagement around the University's mission.
- Work hand-in-glove with the Chaplain and Director of Formation
Experience and Education Requirements
- Master’s degree in Theology, Divinity, Pastoral Ministry or related
degree required. Doctorate in a relevant field (e.g., ethics, theology, philosophy education, leadership studies) preferred. - Demonstrated commitment to the Lasallian Catholic tradition, including a deep understanding of virtue ethics and character education.
- Must be a practicing Roman Catholic
- Strong record of leadership, strategic planning, and collaborative engagement in higher education or a related field.
- Experience in developing and implementing institution-wide initiatives, programs, and resources.
Essential Knowledge & Skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal/human relations skills, and organizational skills
- A demonstrated commitment to character, virtue, ethics as well as inclusion and human dignity
- Support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary’s University as a Lasallian Catholic institution
Apply online at https://www.smumn.edu/about/
