Assistant Dean, Community Connection and Belonging

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

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• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  
• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.
  

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The College of the Liberal Arts is seeking a visionary Assistant Dean for Community Connection and Belonging to help design and guide strategic priorities in fostering student connection, inclusion, and belonging; enhancing student success; and educating for democracy, civic engagement, and leadership across the College of the Liberal Arts. Reporting directly to the Dean of the College of the Liberal Arts, and as a key member of the Dean's core leadership team, the Assistant Dean for Community Connection and Belonging will champion student engagement and belonging through comprehensive and equity-driven initiatives. This is a full-time, 44-week administrative position.

The Assistant Dean for Community Connection and Belonging will serve as Chair of the College's Committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Transformation (CoDIT), leading strategic initiatives that cultivate a culture of belonging. They will be responsible for building and maintaining collaborative relationships with broad and inclusive groups, student organizations, campus partners in student services, and community stakeholders to support student retention and success, and career readiness through inclusive programming and strategic partnerships. As a key resource across the College, they will partner with the Liberal Arts recruitment coordinator, and other college partners, to attract a broad and inclusive pool of undergraduate and graduate students and develop programs that affirm student belonging, promote cross-cultural understanding, and empower student leadership. This role will administer a Community Connection and Belonging budget and use data insights to inform programming and policy recommendations; collaborate with the scholarships office to manage funding that supports access and opportunity for our broad and inclusive student population; and work with academic departmental and program-level committees to advance equity and inclusion goals.


Other responsibilities include representing the College in University-wide and external initiatives that foster inclusion and belonging, especially as they relate to student connection, support, success, retention, and career readiness. The Assistant Dean for Community Connection and Belonging will identify and facilitate access to resources and programs that enhance students' sense of belonging and engagement; monitor trends and best practices in relevant areas of inclusion and belonging, and use findings to enhance support services; and partner with the College's Alumni Relations and Development unit in fundraising initiatives related to inclusion and belonging.

A Master's degree or higher is required, Ph.D. or equivalent is strongly preferred. A minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in higher education or a similarly complex organization is required in addition to excellent verbal and written communication skills; demonstrated success in furthering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives; excellent relationship-building skills; ability to steward multiple priorities, lead strategic initiatives, and align work priorities with leadership; a record of progressive career development; and a demonstrated profile of solution-oriented problem solving. Preferred qualifications include a background in the humanities or social sciences and demonstrated project management skills. While not required, individuals with faculty credentials/qualifications will be appointed to the position with a faculty affiliation.

Interested candidates must submit an online application at Penn State's Job Posting Board, and should upload the following application materials electronically: a letter of interest, CV or resume, and a list of three references with contact information. Inquiries may be directed to Oksana DeArment, Executive Assistant to the Dean, at View email address on click.appcast.io.


Visit our website - Penn State College of the Liberal Arts for more information on our college.


BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. Due to the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of this position, successful completion of a credit history check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

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