Dean of Academic Success

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Position Summary:

Florida Atlantic University seeks a strategic, collaborative, and innovative leader to serve as Dean of Academic Success. Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President for Strategic Planning and Student Success, the Dean serves as a university-wide leader responsible for advancing academic support, advising strategy, enrollment-connected academic planning, and high-impact educational practices. The Dean provides leadership for initiatives that promote student success, defined as student retention, academic progression toward timely degree completion, and readiness for professional or continued educational pathways. The overall goal of the position is to improve undergraduate and graduate student outcomes.

This role provides leadership for cross-functional initiatives that strengthen the connection between enrollment pipelines, academic support structures, educational experiences, and student outcomes. The Dean will drive change, empower faculty and staff, and align institutional efforts with university priorities, Board of Trustees’ direction, and state-level expectations, including those of the Florida Board of Governors.

This role may include leadership or oversight for units and functions such as:

• Academic support and learning assistance programs
• University advising services, advising systems, and academic coaching
• General education oversight and related academic standards
• Assessment of student success initiatives and progression supports
• Undergraduate and graduate academic support coordination
• Undergraduate research, fellowships, honors, and related initiatives, as assigned
• Additional responsibilities assigned through Academic Affairs or the Provost’s Office

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Institutional Partnership

• Serve as a senior strategic leader and principal partner to the Senior Associate Vice President for Strategic Planning and Student Success.
• Lead and advance a university-wide vision for academic success that connects enrollment strategy, academic support, advising, progression, retention, and graduation outcomes.
• Serve as a thought leader on integrating AI and emerging technology into the curriculum to ensure students build essential career skills.
• Develop and implement cross-functional initiatives that improve student achievement for undergraduate and graduate students – including through the Enrollment Management Oversight Committee and collaborations with the Graduate College.

Leadership of Academic Success Portfolio

• Provide direct leadership and administrative oversight for centralized academic success and support functions.
• Oversee university-wide standards for academic advising, systems, coordination, and student support structures, while partnering with colleges on seamless student-facing experiences.
• Direct and strengthen the university’s approach to general education oversight, broad curricular policy coordination, and related academic standards.
• Oversee high-impact practices and collaborate with other units on experiential learning opportunities.
• Ensure academic support and advising strategies are aligned to the needs of various student populations, including first-year students, transfer students, student-athletes, ROTC students, high-achieving students, and other key populations.

Collaboration with Colleges and Academic Affairs

• Serve as a bridge-builder across Academic Affairs and related divisions to foster collaboration around institutional student success priorities.
• Partner with the colleges in ways that support and complement shared governance over discipline-specific curriculum, program content, and major-specific advising.
• Support broad academic policy development and implementation through university-level committees and governance processes.

Operational and Administrative Leadership

• Provide leadership for budget, planning, staffing, and organizational development across the academic success portfolio.
• Support university-level academic processes and designated responsibilities, which may include matters such as academic policy support, academic integrity appeals, grade grievances, or related functions assigned through the Provost’s Office.
• Advance a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, review of applications will begin September 28, and candidates are encouraged to apply by that date to ensure full consideration. Questions regarding this position may be directed to [email protected] or 561-297-3062, Attn: Geoffrey Johnson, Assistant Vice President for Academic Operations and Initiatives, FAU Office of the Provost.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Terminal degree from an accredited institution.
• A distinguished record of achievement and professional credentials consistent with tenure and a faculty appointment.
• Significant senior-level leadership experience in higher education, preferably in academic affairs, student success, advising, enrollment-connected academic planning, or related areas.
• A commitment to innovation and professional development for high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive partnerships with faculty, deans, executive leaders, and administrative units.
• Experience using data, assessment, and evidence to inform strategy, planning, and decision-making.
• Strong communication, organizational, and change leadership skills.


Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a large public university or multi-campus environment.
• Knowledge of state university system priorities, accountability frameworks, and governing board expectations.
• Experience overseeing or partnering on general education, broad academic policy, centralized advising systems, or university-level curricular processes.
• Experience supporting both undergraduate and graduate student success initiatives.

Salary:

$225,000. - $275,000.

College or Department:

Academic Affairs

Location:

Boca Raton

Work Days and Hours:

N/A

Application Deadline:

2027-01-31

Special Instructions to Applicant:

This position is open until filled and may close without prior notice.

This position is subject to funding.

All applicants must apply electronically to the currently posted position on the Office of Human Resources' job website (https://fau.edu/jobs) by completing the required employment application for this recruitment and submitting the related documents.

Required Documents:
FAU’s Career Page permits the attachment of required/requested documentation.

PLEASE NOTE: A maximum of five (5) documents may be attached to your application. If more than five (5) documents are required for submission, please combine additional documents into a single attachment to not exceed the maximum permitted.

The site permits the attachment of required/requested documentation. Candidates wishing full consideration are to provide the following: a cover letter and curriculum vitae.

Transcripts:
The selected candidate for this position is required to submit an official transcript sent directly from the institution for the Provost’s credential file prior to the first day of employment. Similarly, for degrees from outside the United States, the evaluation by an organization belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation (NACES), with an indication of the documents the evaluation was prepared from (official transcripts, diplomas, dissertation abstracts) is required for the Provost’s credential file prior to the first day of employment. Transcripts must be issued to Florida Atlantic University, not to the individual applicant.

Background Screening:
Selected candidates must successfully complete and pass all employment screenings prior to the start of employment. Employment screenings may include a criminal background check (level I and level II), motor vehicle check, credit check, reference checks, alcohol, and drug screening check.

Accommodations:
Individuals requiring accommodation, please call 561-297-3057. 711