AVP, Student Records, Registrar

Position Summary

The Associate Vice President for Student Records, Registrar is responsible for the integrity, governance, and strategic leadership of all records related to student academic progress, academic policy, curricular structures, and enrollment reporting for graduate and professional programs. Reporting to the Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management, the AVP/Registrar leads a modern, analytically driven Registrar operation aligned with institutional strategy and regulatory accountability.

In addition to core Registrar functions, this role serves as a strategic advisor on the institutional implications of evolving federal, state, and accreditation requirements affecting graduate and professional education, including Title IV eligibility, enrollment status reporting, satisfactory academic progress alignment, degree classification distinctions between graduate and professional programs, and emerging federal reporting frameworks.

The AVP/Registrar must demonstrate the ability to rigorously interpret regulatory frameworks and identify compliant institutional pathways that advance student success and program vitality. The role requires a flexible, forward-thinking, and collegial leader who can issue-spot emerging risk, anticipate regulatory shifts, and partner constructively with academic leadership to position the University for long-term stability.

Our generous benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision plans; paid parental leave; short term and long term disability plans; life insurance; flexible spending accounts; and a 403(b) retirement plan which includes a 8% employer contribution once eligible. RFUMS is committed to employee wellbeing and work-life balance. This position is eligible for 24 days of vacation/ personal leave, 15 sick days, and 9 paid holidays, paid winter break, plus two floating holidays.

Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter in order to be considered.

Who We Are

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFU) is a graduate health sciences university committed to serving the population through the interprofessional education of health and biomedical professionals and the discovery of knowledge dedicated to improving wellness. The university embodies the spirit of inquiry and excellence modeled by its namesake Dr. Rosalind Franklin, whose Photo 51 was crucial to solving the structure of DNA.

Today, the university's 6 colleges continue Dr. Franklin's legacy through rigorous academics, pioneering research, and innovative community service. Our unique interprofessional education model allows students to learn from and with each other in a variety of settings, including our simulation labs, the student-led Interprofessional Community Clinic, and through partnerships with area hospitals and clinics. RFU is a national leader in interprofessional research and practices, and is nationally recognized for its research in areas including neuroscience, brain-related diseases, inherited disorders, proteomics, cancer cell biology and immunology, cardiac resuscitation, and gait and balance.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Administrative and Operational Oversight

• Provide strategic leadership and supervision to the Office of the Registrar and its staff.

• Plan, administer, and oversee the departmental budget.

• Serve as institutional data steward for all student academic records across systems, ensuring data integrity, security, and compliance with FERPA and institutional policies

• Coordinate production and maintenance of the Academic Catalog and curricular cycles.

• Work in conjunction with the Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management, Student Success and Wellness, Academic Affairs, and Deans to initiate and revise academic policies and process curricular modifications.

• Collaborate with the Office of Admissions and Enrollment and support the development and implementation of academic pathways.

• Maintain and disseminate accurate information regarding academic policy, curricular requirements, and course inventory.

• Oversee development of the academic calendar, master schedules, and registration processes.

• Coordinate grade submission and change-of-grade procedures.

• Provide executive oversight of the Student Information System and degree audit systems; lead system optimization and modernization initiatives.

• Monitor federal and state regulatory developments affecting graduate and professional education; assess operational implications and recommend compliant institutional responses.

• Evaluate and continuously improve Registrar processes to enhance audit readiness, data integrity, service delivery, and institutional agility.

Policy and Compliance

• Carry out academic policies and procedures; make initial determinations regarding policy exceptions in consultation with appropriate leadership.

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, accreditation, and University policies governing academic records and reporting.

• Serve as University administrator responsible for FERPA compliance and privacy governance.

• In collaboration with the AVP for Student Financial Services, ensure alignment between academic records, enrollment status reporting, satisfactory academic progress, and Title IV eligibility requirements.

• Interpret evolving regulatory guidance affecting graduate versus professional degree classifications and related reporting structures; develop compliant implementation strategies.

• Coordinate required state, federal, accreditation, and external reporting, including National Student Clearinghouse submissions.

• Support institutional readiness for audits, accreditation reviews, and regulatory inquiries.

• Serve on relevant University committees and ad hoc committees as required.

Reporting and Student Support

• Collaborate with Deans, Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, Student Success and Wellness and Student Financial Services to support student progression and retention.

• Provide data-analytics to leadership regarding enrollment patterns, academic progression, and compliance exposure.

• Certify student academic records and degree eligibility; issue diplomas and official transcripts.

• Serve as a primary institutional resource for faculty, staff, and students regarding academic policies and regulatory requirements.

• Partner constructively with academic programs to identify compliant solutions that support program innovation and student success.

• Contribute to a culture of shared accountability, transparency, and collegial problem-solving across units.

Conditions of Employment

• Must achieve satisfactory results from a background check

Required Education & Experience

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Enrollment Management, Educational Leadership, Student Affairs, or related field required.

• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience

• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in a Registrar's Office or closely related academic records function in higher education.

• Significant experience in a graduate or professional higher education environment is strongly preferred.

• Experience working with Student Information Systems, ERP platforms, or degree audit technologies.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Deep knowledge of FERPA and federal regulatory frameworks affecting graduate and professional education, including Title IV.

• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex regulatory guidance and implement compliant institutional solutions.

• Experience collaborating with Financial Aid leadership to ensure alignment between academic records and federal aid eligibility.

• Strong analytical, issue-spotting, and problem-solving capability.

• Demonstrated ability to balance regulatory rigor with institutional strategy within established legal guardrails.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate with clarity, precision, and professionalism in both written and interpersonal contexts, effectively engaging faculty, academic leadership, administrative offices, and executive stakeholders across divisions.

• Proven project management and process improvement experience.

• Ability to operate flexibly and adaptively in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.

• Demonstrated commitment to collegial collaboration across academic and administrative units.

• High level of professional integrity, discretion, and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with Ellucian Colleague, Degree Works, or comparable systems.

• Experience in health sciences or other regulated professional education environments.

• Experience leading operational modernization or digital transformation initiatives.

• Experience supporting institutional response to significant regulatory or federal policy change.

Typical Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Selected candidate must have the mental and physical capabilities to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Work is of a light physical demand in an office setting with duties performed while sitting, standing, or occasionally stooping. Work is normally performed in a typical office environment. Some evening and weekend hours may be required to meet institutional needs.

EOE, Including Disability / Vets