Associate Dean of Students, Director of Community Building and Connections

Primary Function:

The Associate Dean of Student Life is a senior-level position that provides leadership, vision, and strategic direction for key areas of the student experience. A critical partner to the Dean of Students, the Associate Dean helps build a holistic, inclusive, and supportive campus environment that fosters student success, development, retention, and well-being consistent with the university's liberal arts mission. The Associate Dean is directly involved in complex and sensitive student issues, crisis management, and the management of high-level student services.

The Associate Dean works in partnership with campus departments and students to facilitate community-building and identify allies to support a safe, vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive campus climate for all students, faculty and staff both on campus and off campus

This position works with considerable independence and self-direction. Only the general direction and scope of the work to be accomplished are discussed with the supervisor.

Position Appointment Details:

• Career Band: 4A
• Full-Time

Typical Duties & Responsibilities:

Leadership and Administration

• Serve as the key deputy to the Dean of Students, representing the office on university committees and with external stakeholders as needed.

• Provide strategic leadership, vision, and supervision for specific functional areas within student affairs, such as Community Building and Connections, Student Conduct, Greek Life and Student Involvement, and student advocacy.

• Help formulate and implement institutional policies and procedures related to student life and services.

• Oversee and manage departmental budgets and conduct program assessments to ensure alignment with divisional goals.

• Lead, mentor, and supervise staff within assigned areas of responsibility. 

Community Building and Connections

• Responsible for developing the overall strategy for increasing the matriculation, support, retention, and graduation of students of underrepresented backgrounds. 

• Ensures that programming and practices are in alignment with the University’s mission and values, and serves as an advisor of student intercultural organizations. 

• Engages and supports cultural organizations within the surrounding community and works closely with student leadership organizations, the Dean of Students, Residence Life, Admissions, as well as other organizations from the surrounding communities and other institutions of higher education.

• Provides support and counseling for underrepresented students and provides leadership in the University’s development of philosophies, policies, and programming regarding the recruitment & retention of diverse student populations.

1. Analyzes demographic data to assess campus student diversity reports to ensure effective programming and initiatives are being implemented

   • NACCC survey results

2. Maintains knowledge of:

   • local, state, and federal legislation that directly or indirectly impacts underrepresented students on campus

   • best-practice approaches to cultivate belonging, engagement, and community among students

• Manages the unit and office’s budget, including several accounts.

  • Community Building and Connections

  • Social Impact/Diversity Initiatives

  • Student Equity Support Fund

  • Rainbow Fund

Student Conduct and Community Standards

• Provide oversight for the management of complex student cases and appeals, ensuring that it aligns with university values and relevant state and federal laws, such as Title IX and the Clery Act.

Student Support, Retention, and Crisis Management

Serve in an on-call rotation as part of the student life crisis response team to manage student-related emergencies and incidents.

• Serve on the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT)

• Serve on CARE Team

Student Success and Advocacy

• Collaborate with the Dean of Students and departments across campus to promote student success, retention, and graduation. 

• Advise the Dean on matters related to fostering a respectful, fair, and welcoming campus environment for all students.

Judgement Required: 

• A student-centered philosophy and the ability to balance student needs with institutional policies.

• The capacity to remain calm and decisive in high-pressure situations or emergencies.

• Excellent judgment and the ability to maintain confidentiality.

• A strategic and data-driven approach to program development and assessment.

• Strong collaborative skills to foster a cooperative work environment.

Budgetary Responsibility: 

Analyzes budgetary data and develops budget proposals.

Personal Interaction/Communications: 

Student Contact:

Daily activities include curricular, extracurricular, disciplinary, counseling, etc.

Internal: Frequent: providing information, participating in committees

External: Extensive involvement with parents, alumni, governing boards, and other institutions

Job Specifications/Position Qualifications:

Education:
Masters Degree required. Juris Doctorate (JD) or other terminal degree preferred.

Experience:
At least seven years of experience working in student affairs supporting an executive-level position at a comparable college or university.

Job-Related Skills:
Strong, demonstrated leadership skills and interpersonal communication skills

Confidential Information:

Salaries & employment records of staff supervised; confidential student problems/issues; organizational plans; and student records.

Working Environment:

Normal office environment, frequent evening & weekend work, 24-hour on-call for crisis situations