Dean of Students

General Position Information Position Name: Dean of Students Classification: Exempt, Benefitted FTE: 1.0, Full‑time Work Hours: Monday‑Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – occasional evening or weekend hours may be required Campus‑based position with some flexibility to offset required evening or weekend work. Department/Division: Academic Affairs Supervisor: Provost Position Summary The Dean of Students provides strategic leadership for student life and support initiatives that foster student success, engagement, safety, and belonging. Serving as a senior student affairs leader, the Dean oversees student success operations—including advising, tutoring, counseling services, student events, and career support services—with a specific charge to expand and strengthen co‑curricular programming and career preparation across the university. The Dean of Students also serves as the University’s TitleIX Officer, ensuring institutional compliance with federal and state regulations and promoting a campus culture of respect, equity, and accountability. This role is ideal for a collaborative, student‑centered leader who can balance compliance responsibilities with innovation, relationship‑building, and program growth in a small‑university environment. The Dean of Students reports to the Provost of the University and is a member of the President’s Leadership Cabinet. This role is also a pivotal collaborator with The Community Solution Education System working with student affairs professionals across six institutions. Supervisor Responsibilities # of employees supervised: 2 Job titles supervised: Director, Student Success and Director, Student Engagement & Events Key Responsibilities Student Affairs Leadership (25%) Provide overall leadership and vision for student support services, focusing on retention, persistence, and holistic student success. Serve on the President’s Leadership Cabinet, providing strategic and tactical guidance on matters related to student life and student success. Regularly engage with The Community Solution Education System departments to support student life and success, including participation in cross‑system task forces, regular meetings, programming, and the life. Supervise the Director of Student Success and the Director of Student Engagement & Events, ensuring aligned goals, effective assessment, and continuous improvement. Collaborate closely with academic leadership, faculty, and staff to integrate academic and co‑curricular student support efforts. Serve as a visible and accessible advocate for students, both online and on campus, addressing emerging student needs and concerns. Serve as the point person to manage and resolve student complaints and behavioral situations. Student Success Oversight (15%) Guide the development and assessment of proactive advising, early‑alert, and intervention strategies. Support data‑informed approaches to student success, persistence, and engagement. Partner with academic leadership to ensure that student services and student scheduling aligns with academic goals and objectives. Student Events & Campus Engagement (15%) Provide leadership and oversight of student events and co‑curricular programming focusing efforts on both online and on‑campus programming that supports students’ professional and psychosocial development. Lead the expansion of campus‑wide events that foster community, belonging, leadership development, and student involvement. Create and implement inclusive, relevant programming that reflects the needs of the student body and supports student well‑being. Career Supports (15%) Develop and implement career‑focused programming for both on‑campus and online students, such as workshops and seminars, guest speaker events, networking sessions, and skills‑building opportunities. Partner with deans, program chairs, the clinic, and other academic stakeholders to align career services with program needs and professional expectations. Curate and maintain online career resources, including job search tools, resume guidance, professional development materials, and employer engagement opportunities. Strengthen relationships with alumni, employers, and community partners to expand networking and learning opportunities. Serve as ex officio member of university/college/program advisory councils (as assigned). TitleIX & Compliance (10%) Serve as the University’s TitleIX Officer, with responsibility for oversight of policies, procedures, and compliance related to sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct. Coordinate investigations, resolutions, and supportive measures in compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements. Develop and lead training and education efforts for students, faculty, and staff related to TitleIX and related policies. Collaborate with legal counsel, human resources, and campus partners as needed. Lead, monitor, and promote university compliance with external regulations in the area of student services including ADA, FERPA, TitleIX, and other legislative and regulatory mandates. Collect and maintain accurate records and data related to compliance matters and student engagement in activities/programs. Policy, Assessment, and Administration (20%) In collaboration with the university policy committee, develop, review, and implement policies related to student conduct, student support, and campus safety. Assess the effectiveness of student affairs programs and services using measurable outcomes. Manage the annual development of departmental continuous improvement plans (CIPs) to improve service, efficiency, and operational effectiveness. Prepare, publish and disseminate the CIP report annually. Partner with Institutional Effectiveness to ensure integration of CIPs with the university strategic plan, mission, and core themes. Develop annual department operating budget with input from department staff and the provost. Manage assigned budgets and resources responsibly. Serve on university leadership committees and represent student affairs in institutional planning. UWS Core Values and Associated Competencies Best Practices Seek out and use relevant data to inform decision‑making. Incorporate peer‑reviewed research and professional experiences into academic discourse and patient care. Promote student learning through excellence in instruction and assessment. Curiosity Approach work with curiosity, inquisitiveness and willingness to think outside the box. Value and consider new ideas and ask, “What if…?” Remain open to change to advance and improve. Inclusiveness Actively listen to diverse perspectives and value different viewpoints and experiences. Promote the equity of ideas, resources, power, and identity for all. Gather information and input from diverse groups to develop a common vision, improve policies and practices, and advance institutional goals. Professionalism Demonstrate civility in all interactions, especially when there are disagreements or differing opinions. Take ownership of speech, conduct, demeanor, and deliverables. Adhere to established policies, procedures, agreements, and deadlines. Act as thoughtful stewards of the university and its resources. Student‑Focus Incorporate student feedback to improve academics and university services. When making decisions, ask: “What effect will that have on students?” Seek to understand the student’s experience through their eyes. Whole‑Person Health Intentionally cultivate environments that support work‑life balance. Consider personal and community wellness in decision‑making. Maintain rigorous academic standards while supporting the health and wellbeing of students. Include a range of health modalities in the classroom and clinic. Expected Competencies for Supervisors Developing & Retaining Talent Recruit, retain, and develop high‑performing individuals aligned with UWS core values and institutional goals. Complete performance reviews and development plans for all direct reports on time. Provide constructive feedback and coaching, including for underperforming staff. Managing & Stewarding Resources Prepare budgets to support department/division functions and goals. Meet or exceed performance goals and budget targets. Effectively manage department resources and processes, seeking efficiencies. Demonstrate financial acumen for managing budgets aggressively. Manage relationships with vendors and/or contractors. Leading & Managing Change Promote a culture of continuous improvement with focus on effective and efficient processes. Communicate clearly to stakeholders throughout change processes. Engage employees in change and develop commitment for sustaining it. Position Qualifications Required Education & Training Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of higher education coursework plus related experience. Required Experience Four years of experience working in student affairs or a related field. Related Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Demonstrated knowledge of student development theory and student success practices for graduate students. Experience or demonstrated ability to serve as a TitleIX Officer or complete required training. Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills. Demonstrated commitment to student well‑being. Demonstrated experience designing and delivering student‑centered programming. Working knowledge of best practices related to student engagement in higher education. Ability to work effectively with diverse student populations. Experience with event coordination and assessment, and budget oversight. Ability to negotiate prices and terms with contractors. Proficiency in MS Office. Demonstrated ability to build strong student relationships with a diverse student population. Other Qualifications Demonstrated ability to build strong student relationships with a diverse student population. Preferred Education & Training Master’s degree in higher education, college student personnel, student affairs, counseling, or related field. Preferred Experience Significant progressive experience in student affairs or student support services. University of Western States offers a generous compensation and benefits package, including generous paid time‑off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, and tuition reimbursement. University of Western States is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr