Dean of Student Affairs

Job Description

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The Dean of Student Affairs manages student programs and comprehensive student services, including the student conduct process, to enhance student development and engagement. The Dean of Student Affairs supports the Vice President of Student Affairs (VPSA) in leading the division with a focus on success for all students, both curricular, and co-curricular. The Dean provides counseling, assessment, and service referrals to students and serves as the Senior Conduct Officer for the college, training and managing hearing officers to participate on conduct panels, and/or hear individual cases within residence life and housing or through the student affairs office. The Dean of Student Affairs is responsible for policy development and implementation as it relates to students and student conduct and is responsible for updating the student handbook annually. This position supervises the following functional areas within the Division of Student Affairs: Residence Life and Housing, Student Engagement and Leadership, and Community Engagement and Belonging. The Dean leads College-wide committees and functional teams focused on student support such as the CARE Team, Policy Review Committee, and our New Student Welcome committee which plans our signature event that onboards our new incoming students. The Dean oversees and responds to student crises, as they arise, and works closely with staff, faculty, and families around supporting distressed and disruptive students. This position directs the planning, coordination, and delivery of student programs and services through their supervision and management of direct reports and other staff. The Dean works closely with the VPSA and supports the leadership decision making as it relates to budgets, assessment, and strategic planning. This position reports directly to the Vice President for Student Affairs.

CORE DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Train, lead, and manage all staff within Student Affairs that report directly to this position (100%)

• Make policy and procedural decisions and lead the college wide policy committee. (30%)

• Oversee and manage all departmental budgets that report directly to this role, in collaboration with the Director of that area. Additionally, work with the Assistant Dean for Community Engagement and Belonging to support the management of the programmatic budget in tandem with Student Engagement and Leadership Office. (30%)

• Provides leadership and vision that enhances student programs and services to ensure quality outcomes aimed at increasing student retention, enhancing a sense of belonging that positively impact student life. Directly or indirectly supervises staff assigned to designated areas of oversight in short and long-term planning, setting goals and strategies, development of program policies and procedures, and ongoing evaluation of program and service effectiveness. (80%)

• Manages the student conduct process. Conducts interviews and investigations of potential violations of the Student Conduct Code and Title IX regulations. Meets with students to discuss charges against them. Follows-up on any evidentiary issues based on student’s denial. Makes recommendations on how to improve procedures and processes. (60%)

• Lead and Co-Lead the College-wide CARE Team and the Bias Incident Response Team. (70%)

• Work collaboratively with Academic Affairs to develop and promote new student success programs and initiatives that focus on improving student success such as summer bridge/pre-orientation programs, first year experiences, and first-generation student support. (30%)

• Serves as the first point of contact for student behavioral concerns, academic integrity issues, and other student issues related to their mental health and/or personal issues impacting them negatively. Provides crisis intervention counseling and referral in cases of emergency or other personal crises affecting a student’s emotional well-being. Works in partnership with other College departments/resources to solve issues and seek resolution. (50%)

• Meets with concerned parties to discuss student complaints and determines the best course of action for effective resolution. (20%)

• Maintains and manages student conduct platform, Maxient, ensuring we are retaining records appropriately, while also managing the quality control of the handling of student conduct cases by other hearing officers. Ensures recordkeeping systems and files are maintained on a regular basis. (40%)

• Oversees assessment processes for Student Affairs and co-leads program reviews, as well as responding and contributing to accreditation requirements from professional organizations, in collaboration with the provost’s office. Coordinates assessment of outcome evaluations, student services, and program effectiveness. (40%)

• Collaborates with marketing around signature programs within student affairs that need marketing support, including, leading the directors around on how to maintain a visual presence that is accurate and dynamic via the college’s website. (15%)

• Establishes and maintains appropriate network of professional contacts. Maintains currency with professional organizations and publications. Attends and participates in meetings, conferences, and committees as a representative of the division and/or College as necessary or appropriate. (20%)

• Represents the Vice President for Student Affairs in absentia. May review and/or sign documents on the Vice President’s behalf, as requested. (5%)

• Performs other related duties as assigned. Must be responsive to work-related phone calls and emails during non-business hours on occasion. (10%)

Required Qualifications:

Master’s degree required in student development, counseling or related area.

At least 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in Student Affairs.

Demonstrated experience and commitment to assessment of programs, services, and student learning.

Demonstrated record of leadership, supervision, and administrative skills.

Experienced at supervising and leading a Student Affairs staff.

Experience and expertise in Title IX guidelines/requirements, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and Clery Crimes/Mandated Reporting requirements, and other federal regulations.

Experience working with a highly diverse student body.

Committed to student success, and developing programs/initiatives that specifically enhance and propel the college’s goal to increase retention, and persistence toward graduation

PREFERRED SKILLS and EXPERIENCE:

Doctorate degree preferred in Student Development or Organizational Leadership/Management and/or Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

7 or more years of progressive leadership experience in the field of Student Affairs