Vice President & Dean of Student Life

General Description:

The Vice President and Dean of Student Life is a member of the University cabinet and as such assists in the management and promotion of the mission and vision of William Woods University. 

Under the general direction of the CXO, the Vice President & Dean of Student Life provides leadership and management in the areas of responsibility that are a part of Student Life.  These areas include Residential Life, Dining Hall Operations, Career Services, Student Engagement, Counseling and Health Services, University Chaplain, Diversity & Inclusion, and Campus Safety. 

The Vice President and Dean of Student Life has overall responsibility for student development and is a major contributing member of ongoing campus student retention efforts.  This position serves on numerous campus committees and works very closely with academic affairs, admissions, and finance to implement an experience that attracts, develops and retains students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Ø  Supervises all Student Life staff and directly supervises and evaluates the directors in all areas of Student Life. 

Ø  Provides leadership and direction to the areas reporting to Student Life by strategic planning, setting goals, communicating institutional values and goals to staff, monitoring Student Life services, and carrying out the directions provided by the CXO. 

Ø  Ensures cooperation between all areas of Student Life and identifies ways they can work collaboratively to achieve a seamless experience for individual students and student groups. 

Ø  Provides stewardship of University resources by developing annual budgets, appropriately allocating resources entrusted to Student Life, and reviewing expenditures of Student Life. 

Ø  Represents the University to students, parents, prospective students and parents, alumni, Board of Trustees, community stakeholders, and other constituents by communications, attendance at functions, and promotion of the University’s mission and vision. 

Ø  Provides advice and information to the CXO by informing the CXO and greater university cabinet of important information and events, being an advocate for student needs, and providing information as requested. 

Ø  Serves on various committees including, but not limited to, retention, institutional effectiveness, budget and HLC Accreditation Committee.

Ø  Provides campus leadership and contribute to an informed campus on issues of student navigation of the University, diversity and inclusion, and resources and strategies to support students. 

Ø  Serves as an advocate for students (individually and collectively). Advises Student Assembly and is an active presence at University events.

Ø  Oversees student programming and engagement on campus by ensuring that all students have access to and participate in the full experience of student life on campus.  Ensure that all programs are well-chosen, well-planned, well-orchestrated and fulfill the mission of Student Life. 

Ø  Provides leadership in appeals processes for student conduct and other non-academic issues and grievances as determined by current policy and practice. 

Ø  Provides appropriate responses to critical and urgent campus and student situations, including CARE teams; and ensure coordination of management and resolution of individual student cases. 

Ø  Identifies, designs, and uses data to improve student programming, services, opportunities, and outcomes and contributes to a culture of assessment and quality improvement. 

Ø  Serves as Deputy TITLE IX Coordinator.

Ø  Manages student fee budgets and student organization budgets. 

Ø  Evening and weekend work in addition to normal work schedule as necessary. 

Ø  All other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements:

Ø  Doctoral degree in student services, psychology or other related field or equivalent experience preferred, Master’s Degree required. 

Ø  Understanding of student development processes, best practices in the field, and leadership theory and application. 

Ø  Experience in supervision of employees, budget development and allocation, coordination of initiatives across organizational boundaries, and in student development is necessary. 

Ø  Minimum of five (5) years of experience supervising at least one department in student affairs operation or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Ø  Experience advising student groups. 

Ø  Must have excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to relate to diverse constituencies, problem solving skills, and conflict resolution skills.

Typical Physical Demands:

Ø  Ability to speak and read English fluently. 

Ø  Normal range of hearing and vision. 

Ø  Ability to use various computer programs. 

Ø  Ability to travel off campus to a variety of environments.

Work Schedule:

This is an exempt, 12-month position