Dean of Students

Dean Of Students

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 and 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 Title IX 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 (6) institutions.

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
• 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).

Title IX & Compliance (10%)

• Serve as the University's Title IX 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 Title IX 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, Title IX, 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

The following Core Values are integral to working at UWS. All employees, regardless of their position within the university, are expected to uphold the Core Values and demonstrate associated competencies.

Best Practices

• Seek out and use relevant data to inform our 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 our work with curiosity, inquisitiveness and willingness to think outside the box.
• Value and consider new ideas and ask, "What if...?"
• Remain open to change in order 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 our interactions, especially when there are disagreements or differing opinions.
• Take ownership of our 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 university decisions, we ask: What effect will that have on students?
• Seek to understand the students' 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 well-being of our students.
• Include a range of health modalities in the classroom and clinic.

Expected Competencies For Supervisors

Developing & Retaining Talent

Ability to recruit, retain, and develop high performing individuals aligned with UWS' core values and institutional goals. Completes performance reviews and development plans for all direct reports on time. Ability to provide constructive feedback and coaching to direct reports, including individuals who are underperforming.

Managing & Stewarding Resources

Prepares budget(s) to appropriately support department/division functions and goals. Meets or exceeds performance goals and budget targets. Effectively manages departmental resources and processes and seeks opportunities to create efficiencies. Demonstrates the financial acumen for managing budgets aggressively. Effectively manages relationships with vendors and/or contractors.

Leading & Managing Change

Promotes a culture of continuous improvement within department/division with a focus on effective and efficient processes and procedures. An openness to change and the ability provide leadership and clear communication to stakeholders throughout the change process. Engages employees in the change process and develops commitment for sustaining change.

Position Qualifications

Required