Assistant Dean of Students

Assistant Dean of Students

The Assistant Dean of Students serves in a key leadership role in the Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS). While providing overarching support to the broader student body, the Assistant Dean focuses the majority of their attention on advocating for and supporting the unique needs of off-campus and commuter students. The Assistant Dean supports students facing various challenges, including mental health issues, academic difficulties, and transitional adjustments. In addition to advising faculty and staff on student success concerns, they represent the office at campus events and participate in the on-call crisis rotation. This role co-develops and coordinates comprehensive alternative dispute resolution processes to address student-related interpersonal conflicts, ensuring all practices remain compliant with relevant laws and institutional guidance. Additionally, the Assistant Dean drives ODOS outreach, marketing, and branding efforts to enhance campus-wide awareness of available resources.

Essential Duties

Case Management & Crisis Response (60%)

• Provide non-clinical case management services for students experiencing personal, academic, or crisis-related challenges, with a primary focus on off-campus and commuter student populations.
• Serve as an active member of the CARE Team (Student of Concern Response Team).
• Participate in the designated on-call duty rotation for university crisis response.
• Maintain detailed, accurate, and confidential student notes and records using Maxient software.
• Maintain high visibility on campus and within the local community, building strong relationships with students, student organizations, and local stakeholders.
• Regularly hold accessible student office hours and drop-in hours across various campus locations.

Alternative Dispute Resolution & Policy (20%)

• Collaborate with the Office of Community Standards to develop, coordinate, and facilitate an alternative dispute resolution program for student-related bias incident reports and interpersonal conflicts.
• Oversee program promotion, facilitator training, and continuous assessment for dispute resolution initiatives.
• Maintain sound, legally compliant policies and practices, ensuring senior administration is promptly informed of critical incidents.
• Serve on divisional and institutional committees as assigned by the AVP/Dean of Students.

Outreach, Marketing, & Programming (20%)

• Lead the comprehensive marketing, branding, and communication efforts for ODOS to increase institutional awareness.
• Plan, implement, and assess targeted ODOS outreach activities and programming, ensuring specific emphasis is placed on the needs of off-campus and commuter students.
• Coordinate miscellaneous programs and initiatives that advance the overall mission of the Office of the Dean of Students.
• Contribute data, assessment metrics, and descriptive program information for the ODOS annual report.
• Represent the ODOS at various evening and weekend campus events throughout the academic year.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Master's degree in student affairs, higher education, counseling, social work, or another appropriate field of graduate study.
• By the position start date, at least three years of post-graduate professional experience in a student affairs functional area in higher education.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five to seven years of experience working within a division of student affairs, preferably with some experience in a DOS office, or/and in a case management capacity.
• Experience with providing administrative oversight and supervision.
• On-call crisis response experience.
• Documented record of initiating proactive strategies that enhance retention and contribute to a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends as needed. Ability to work on-call hours.
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant laws such as Title IX, Clery Act, Campus Sexual Violence Elimination (Campus SaVE) Act, and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Excellent interpersonal communication, crisis response, and conflict management skills.
• A demonstrated understanding of conduct and alternative dispute resolution (mediation, restorative justice, and/or facilitated dialogue) processes.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience working with victims of sexual misconduct (including sexual harassment), domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Strong assessment skills, including the ability to analyze, summarize, and effectively present data/results.
• Ability to balance multiple obligations in an efficient and effective way, remain professional and compassionate during emotionally charged situations, and work as an integral member of a supportive team.
• Computer literacy skills, specifically using Maxient software.
• Strong ability to document, track, and manage cases through to resolution.