Dean of Students

Dean of Students

Missouri Western State University invites applications and nominations for the position, Dean of Students. This vital role requires an attentive, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and highly collaborative leader to oversee the student affairs division. Reporting directly to the Vice President, the Dean of Students serves as an advocate for students, cultivates a culture of learning, engagement, and responsible citizenship, and creates a dynamic student experience. The Dean upholds and adjudicates the policies and standards for students during their enrollment at the University.

The successful candidate for the Dean of Students role will be an experienced, student-centered, and energetic leader who embraces forward-thinking strategies to anticipate students' needs and support their wellbeing. The Dean of Students will bring a passion for working with students and thrive in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.

Essential Duties:

• Provide direction, supervision, and leadership of the student affairs division; including, but not limited to, residence life, student engagement, counseling, health, and career development.
• Develop collaborative relationships with campus administrative areas, faculty, and campus community leaders to enhance planning and implement strategic initiatives, resolving issues, improving satisfaction, and communicating student successes.
• Promotes student success, retention, and graduation by applying student development theories and learning outcomes in coordination with vibrant student activities and engagement programs.
• Foster an inclusive community and promote equity for all students; oversee outreach to diverse student populations to support goals and sense of belonging.
• Provide direction and intervention for students in crisis and non-crisis including intervening with mental health staff, providing victim advocacy, and working with staff and students affected by the crisis. Coordinates response to crisis incidents and other unusual events impacting students within the community; serve as chair of the Campus Assessment Response and Evaluation (CARE) team.
• Responsible for and upholding student conduct and works in collaboration with the University General Counsel and University Chief of Police. Serves as a resource to University faculty and staff in dealing with students' disruptive behavior within and outside the classroom.
• Provide leadership and guidance in analysis, review, creation, and interpretation of student policies and procedures.
• Support the goals of the University's mission, vision, and participate in strategic planning initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of workings of university structure, policies, and procedures
• Leadership, supervision, planning, and organization skills including team building, strategic planning, and continuous quality improvement
• Effective communication skills; ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively
• Ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies across the University and the community
• Ability to operate independently and collaboratively with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders
• Strong time management skills; ability to handle multiple tasks with accuracy while adhering to tight deadlines
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and Outlook) and Google Workspace tools.

About Missouri Western State University:

Designated as the State of Missouri's applied learning institution, Missouri Western State University is a public open-access institution located in St. Joseph, Missouri, on a beautiful 744-acre campus approximately 35 minutes north of the Kansas City International Airport. With 4,000 plus graduate and undergraduate students and over 29,000 alumni, Missouri Western is designated as a First-Gen Forward campus dedicated to academic innovation, regional and community partnerships, and a student-centered experience. Missouri Western State University is an active participant in the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of the people and region it serves, and the campus' distinctive focus on applied learning and research is a hallmark of its innovative teaching and learning environment. Missouri Western is an equal opportunity education institution.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• Five to seven years of related experience in student affairs or mentorship within an educational setting
• Valid Driver's License

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Masters, Ed.D or Ph.D) in a related field, such as education, counseling
• Ten years of progressively responsible leadership in a higher education environment or related field

Physical Demands:

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

FLSA - Exempt

Additional Demands:

Will require regular night and weekend work. The above position description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.

Hours of Work - M-F 8:00am-4:30pm

Posting Number - S812P

Open Date - 01/16/2026

Priority Deadline - 03/01/2026

Open Until Filled - Yes