Dean of Student Success

Reports To: Vice President of Enrollment and Student Success Location: Hybrid Pay: $72,520- $93,940 About Denver Seminary Denver Seminary is a multidenominational graduate school committed to preparing men and women to engage the needs of the world with the redemptive power of the gospel and the life-changing truth of Scripture. Through rigorous educational programs and a mentoring-focused community, the Seminary challenges students to grow spiritually, intellectually, and professionally, equipping them to lead God’s people in accomplishing His mission in the world. General Statement of Job Function Denver Seminary is seeking a visionary, empathetic, and mission-driven leader to serve as our Dean of Student Success . The Dean of Student Success leads the team responsible for guiding students from admission to graduation, ensuring they experience Christ-centered support and exceptional academic advising. Partnering closely with the Counseling Dean and the Theology Dean, the Dean of Student Success helps shape an integrated formation experience that connects student care with the Seminary’s academic and theological mission. Leveraging our holistic Student Success framework, this role works alongside the Vice President of Enrollment and Student Success, faculty, and staff to create strategies that proactively address the needs of a diverse student body, removing barriers to persistence and fostering spiritual and professional formation. Essential Functions Lead the Student Success Team (academic advising, student care, and student engagement) by fostering a Christ-centered, holistic approach to each student’s journey, ensuring spiritual, intellectual, interpersonal, and professional growth through cross-departmental collaboration. Manage Student Registration and Retention by monitoring retention and registration metrics across all programs and institutional levels, collaborating with academic and administrative departments to identify trends and address barriers to student persistence. Provide Student Data Reporting and Analytics to the Vice President of ESS on registration patterns, retention rates, and recommended evidence-based interventions to support institutional student success goals. Partner with the Counseling Dean and Theology Dean to create clear, proactive academic and formational pathways that help students progress toward graduation, integrating mentorship, theological reflection, and spiritual support throughout their programs. Foster Holistic Student Formation by collaborating with the Counseling Dean, Theology Dean, and academic faculty to develop co-curricular programming that integrates spiritual formation, vocational discernment, and professional preparation, ensuring formation is woven throughout the student experience as a shared institutional priority across all teams. Oversee the Student Care Referral Process, coordinating with the Student Care Specialist to provide compassionate and effective responses to emotional, spiritual, and crisis needs, while collaborating closely with faculty to remove barriers to student success. Supervise the Associate Director of Student Engagement to cultivate vibrant community life and co-curricular experiences that holistically engage and unite all students, both on campus and online. Address Professional Disposition and Conduct Concerns by working alongside the Counseling Division and other relevant stakeholders to maintain high standards of personal and professional integrity within the student body. Collaborate with Faculty by providing the tools, resources, and processes needed to respond effectively to student care concerns, thereby strengthening a culture of shared responsibility for student thriving. Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) to facilitate the successful integration of international students, overseeing F-1 visa advising, I-20 maintenance, and guidance on academic progress for international students. Initiate Title IX Compliance Training in partnership with the Vice President of Enrollment and Student Success, acting as a knowledgeable advocate for students and ensuring a safe, supportive environment in Title IX cases. Contribute as a Core Member of Enrollment and Student Success by representing student needs, shaping retention strategies, and participating in key programming efforts such as new student orientation. Represent the Student Success Office on various committees or task forces at the Vice President’s request, advocating for student-centered decisions that reflect the Seminary’s mission and values. Collaborate with Student-Facing Departments (e.g., Admissions, Registrar, Student Accounts) to streamline processes, remove barriers, and continually enhance the overall student experience. Advance Cross-Divisional Formation Initiatives by serving as a connecting voice between Student Success, the Counseling Dean, the Theology Dean, and divisional leadership, identifying opportunities where student care, academic support, and formation programming are designed and delivered as a unified, coordinated institutional effort. Fulfill Additional Responsibilities as designated by the Vice President, proactively adapting to the evolving needs of students and the institution. Education/Training Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Development, Counseling, or a related field (studies in Social Science or theological education are a plus) Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) preferred A strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is required Expertise in the use of Pharos products preferred Previous experience in a Higher Education setting (ideally in student affairs, academic advising, or related areas) Understanding of Title IX, FERPA, and F-1 visa regulations (preferred) Qualifications Christian Commitment An authentic and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, evidenced by a lifestyle consistent with Denver Seminary’s Community Values and Behavioral Commitment Affirmation of and alignment with Denver Seminary’s Statement of Faith Proven track record of leading teams and collaborating across departments Skilled in building strong relationships with faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds Student-Centered Approach Deep compassion for and commitment to student care and success, with the ability to maintain confidentiality and discern student needs Experience applying data analysis to develop proactive interventions supporting student retention Administrative & Communication Skills Organized and detail-oriented, capable of managing multiple priorities and frequent interruptions Excellent oral and written communication skills, able to engage a variety of audiences and articulate vision effectively Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment, adapting quickly to evolving needs Welcomes supervision and feedback, working effectively both independently and as part of a leadership team Outcomes Denver Seminary prepares men and women to engage the needs of the world with the redemptive power of the Gospel and the life-changing truth of Scripture. Through our educational programs and mentoring process, the Seminary challenges students to grow spiritually, intellectually, and professionally in order to lead God’s people in the accomplishment of His mission in the world. The Dean of Student Success supports this mission by the: A compassionate and approachable student care process by which student needs are addressed in a timely and collaborative way Integration of The Bridge Student Success Network into the larger Denver Seminary community Positive relationships established with both internal and external constituencies Attends and contributes to departmental and institution-wide staff meetings, and supports the Seminary’s overarching strategic framework Typical Physical Demands and Working Conditions Normal office working conditions, including computer usage, may require occasional standing, walking, long periods of sitting, climbing stairs, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Equal Opportunity & Faith Commitment Denver Seminary is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence in all areas of ministry and operations. As a faith-based institution, Denver Seminary exercises its legal rights to prefer candidates who affirm and support our Statement of Faith and Community Values, consistent with applicable religious exemptions under federal law. Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Applicants who require accommodation during the application process should contact Human Resources. Note: Employment is contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in the United States and successful completion of a background check. Ready to Join Us? If you’re passionate about Kingdom work and love turning strategy into action, we invite you to apply. Application Deadline : Friday, June 5th, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time (MT). Applications received after the deadline may not be considered. #J-18808-Ljbffr