Dean of Students

Job Description:

1. 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

This position is a campus-based position with some flexibility to offset any required evening or weekend work.

Department/Division: Academic Affairs

Supervisor: Provost

2. 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 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.

3. SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

# of employees this position supervises: 2

Job titles of employees supervised: Director, Student Success and Director, Student Engagement & Events

4. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

List key position responsibilities/duties by category and estimate the percentage of time spent on each responsibility. The total percentage of duties must equal 100%.

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

5. 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 uphold the Core Values and demonstrate associated competencies.

Best Practices

We maintain high standards by using and integrating evidence across multiple disciplines. To accomplish this, We:

• 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

We are innovative, open-minded, and forward-thinking. To accomplish this, We: 

• 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

We are respectful, mindful, and welcoming of different ways of being, thinking, and doing. To accomplish this, We:

• 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

We are responsible, respectful, and accountable. To accomplish this, We:

• 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

We work for the common good of students’ academic and professional success. To accomplish this, We:

• 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

We promote physical, mental and emotional wellness in all facets of the UWS experience. To accomplish this, We:

• 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.

6. 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.

7. POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Required

Education & Training: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of higher education coursework plus related experience

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 Title IX 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

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.

Compensation & Benefits

This opportunity is budgeted at $95,000 to 102,000 annually base compensation. Additional compensation factors may impact total compensation. To learn more about our competitive benefits and additional rewards, including generous paid time-off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, click the link below.

https://www.uws.edu/about/employment/

University of Western States is an Equal Opportunity Employer.