Western Washington University (WWU), with about 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs and faculty research and creative activity. WWU’s main campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, with additional locations extending the University’s reach across the state. WWU is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for more than 25 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report.

WWU is committed to excellence by advancing inclusive success, increasing its impact in Washington and the region, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. WWU's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its vibrant community. WWU supports inclusive governance and fosters a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive.

In addition to the main campus, Western has regional sites and programs in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo, Western Washington University-Peninsulas (WWU-P) anchors Western’s presence on the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, with instructional and administrative activities centered in Poulsbo and program delivery in Bremerton and Port Angeles. Western is the only public 4-year university in the state to offer a wide suite of academic programs to serve a continuously growing population on the Peninsulas.

The mission of Western Washington University-Peninsulas (WWU-P) is to empower individuals and communities across the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas through high-quality, accessible, and regionally responsive higher education. Through innovative programs and partnerships with Olympic College and Peninsula College, WWU-P provides multiple pathways to academic achievement and career success. By aligning programs with the evolving needs of the region and prioritizing engagement with local industries and community partners, WWU-P aims to foster a culture of lifelong learning and economic vitality.

WWU-P offers a suite of 12 bachelor’s degree programs, including cybersecurity, business, education, and environmental fields. The university is in the process of introducing several new academic programs for WWU-P, including its first engineering program in industrial and systems engineering and master’s programs in Social Work and Nursing, as well as revising several of the existing programs to align them with the evolving needs of the region. With a commitment to equity, inclusivity, and community collaboration, WWU-P programs strive to cultivate leaders who will positively impact the social, cultural, and economic well-being of the Peninsulas and beyond.

WWU-P is envisioned as Western Washington University’s branch campus operations on the Peninsulas, operating through a hub-and-spoke model designed to serve the region’s distributed geography, including population centers in Bremerton, Poulsbo, and Port Angeles, as well as Tribal Nations, military bases, and local employers. WWU-P also leads innovative initiatives such as WWU’s Cyber Range, a secure, cloud-based virtual environment based in Poulsbo that provides hands-on cybersecurity training for students and professionals across Washington State.

WWU-P operations also include the SEA Discovery Center, a public aquarium and outreach facility, located in Poulsbo. Serving as a marine educational and community engagement resource, the Center connects the community to the animals, habitats, peoples and culture of the region.

Position Summary

The Associate Vice President for WWU-Peninsulas (AVP WWU-P) is a senior, student-centered academic leader responsible for driving enrollment growth, expanding access, and advancing the strategic development of WWU’s educational offerings across the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas. The AVP WWU-P works collaboratively with academic departments on the WWU main campus, partner institutions, and regional stakeholders to increase enrollment, strengthen academic pathways, and deliver high-quality academic programming aligned with community and workforce needs.

As WWU Peninsulas Senior Administrator, the AVP WWU-P reports to the WWU President and works in close collaboration with the Provost and Executive Vice President and other senior leaders.  The position provides administrative and operation leadership for WWU-P programs and initiatives, with direct reports including the Senior Director, Western Locations and Academic Program Directors for WWU-P programs, who report to this position for administrative coordination and operational responsibilities, while faculty roles and academic oversight remain within their home colleges and departments.  Additional positions may report to the AVP WWU-P as needed to advance WWU-P's strategic and operational priorities. 

This role serves as Western’s primary executive presence on the Peninsulas, representing the University to students, education and community partners, Tribal Nations, military installations, and regional employers, while advancing enrollment growth, student success, and institutional visibility across a geographically distributed region. 

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic growth and development of WWU Peninsulas, advancing enrollment, program expansion, and regional impact
• Provide administrative and operational leadership for academic programming delivered across Poulsbo, Bremerton, Port Angeles, and virtual locations
• Collaborate with academic colleges and departments to develop and expand degree programs aligned with regional workforce and community needs
• Drive enrollment growth through data-informed strategy and strong coordination with enrollment management teams
• Strengthen transfer pathways and collaborative partnerships with Olympic College, Peninsula College, and other regional institutions
• Manage the operational and financial oversight of WWU Peninsulas, including budget, academic resources, and instructional space planning
• Support program directors, faculty, and instructional teams to enhance teaching effectiveness and student success, particularly for place-bound, adult, military-connected, and first-generation students
• Identify and remove curricular or administrative barriers that limit student access and completion
• Track and evaluate key performance metrics related to enrollment growth, program success, and institutional impact
• Strengthen partnerships with Tribal Nations, military bases, local employers, and community organizations to support workforce alignment and student opportunity
• Serve as Western Washington University’s primary regional representative, building relationships that elevate the university’s presence and impact across the Peninsulas

For more information about the Peninsulas program and Western’s impact in the region, please visit: peninsulas.wwu.edu

This position’s official workstation is Poulsbo, Washington, and requires a regular on-site presence within the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas region.

The expected start date is as soon as practicable after the recruitment and review process concludes. 

• Doctorate or terminal degree required
• At least five years of full-time teaching or equivalent experience in higher education
• Administrative leadership experience in an academic or educational setting
• Demonstrated ability to drive enrollment growth and organizational expansion in higher education
• Proven success collaborating with faculty, staff, students, and diverse communities
• Experience identifying and addressing barriers to access for underrepresented, first-generation, and place-bound students
• Ability to build and sustain partnerships with community colleges, Tribal Nations, military partners, and regional organizations
• Strong organizational, administrative, and strategic planning skills
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication abilities

$180,000 - $200,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Benefits Overview for Administrative Professional Position.

WWU offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, generous leave policies, tuition benefits, and professional development opportunities.

To apply, please submit a cover letter addressing the position qualifications, a curriculum vitae or resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Incomplete applications or those submitted after the closing date will not be considered.

Western Washington University is being assisted with this search by Another Source.  To apply, please visit: AnotherSource - Associate Vice President for WWU Peninsulas

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of Student Life at student.life@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a sexual misconduct background check.