The Catholic University of America

The Assistant Dean serves as a leader and educator for essential university programs and services; serves as an institutional resource for staff and students; supports and promotes the mission and vision of CUA; and contributes positively to the CUA community of research, teaching, learning and service to the Church, the nation and the world.

The Assistant Dean provides oversight to one or more focus areas of the Office of the Dean of Students; additionally, in partnership with other Deans and Directors within the DOS organization, the Assistant Dean:

• Provides expertise, leadership and coordination for departmental retention programs and interventions, focusing on a model of active engagement and mentoring of students in the educational experience.
• Provides individualized support to students in relation to academic, behavioral, personal and/or social issues and concerns; assistance in adjusting to university life; and in the event of a personal, medical or family emergency.
• Manages departmental critical incident response involving students and campus events.
• Develops strong and diverse short-term and long-range goals and objectives related to student retention, engagement, and connectedness utilizing best practices for student success and achievement.
• Supervises professional and paraprofessional staff.

The Assistant Dean provides dynamic leadership in implementing, coordinating and supporting comprehensive, student-centered initiatives that reflect institutional thinking, foster student retention and promote the holistic development of students. The Assistant Dean ensures that programs and services are implemented with attention to high standards, quality, collaboration and fiscal soundness. 

This position reports to the Associate Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students and represents the department in a variety of public relations forums and university events.  The Assistant Dean establishes relationships with faculty, academic leadership, enrollment services, campus life professionals and other integral staff throughout the campus community.

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is: $80,000- $90,000.

• Strategic Program Management: Planning, implementing, and evaluating student support programs. This includes writing policies, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, managing financial resources, and using data analysis for continuous improvement.

   

• Student Retention and Engagement: Leading initiatives to monitor and improve student transition, performance, and sense of belonging. This involves coordinating academic and co-curricular programs, advising student groups, and focusing on the needs of first-year students.

   

• Direct Student Support and Crisis Response: Providing individualized support to students for academic, personal, or social issues. This also includes serving in an on-call administrator rotation to manage and coordinate responses to student emergencies and crises.

   

• Collaboration and Communication: Acting as a central resource and liaison for students, parents, faculty, and other administrators. The role requires building strong collaborative relationships across university departments and effectively communicating departmental initiatives to the campus community.

   

• Departmental Leadership: Contributing to the department's strategic planning and budget processes, serving on university committees (such as critical incident response), and representing the university to build positive community relations.

• Master's Degree

• At least five years of professional experience in student life/higher education administration, management and/or educational support.

• Experience with residence life, student conduct, student engagement, student retention, and student support beneficial.

• Ability to translate a mission and vision into successful programs and services. Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, implement and evaluate programs and services.

• Strong service orientation and ability to relate effectively with diverse individuals and groups at all levels of an organization.

• Ability to work collegially and collaboratively to develop effective student-oriented services. Ability to communicate effectively and by using a wide variety of tools and mediums.

• Proven “hands on” and energetic team leader. Proven analytical, technical and supervisory skills.  Ability to develop programs to enable employees to grow in their positions.  Must be able to generate the confidence and trust of individuals and the extended campus community.

• Demonstrated ability to be productive, deliver high quality work, take initiative, use good judgment and solve problems.

• Strong ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and handle heavy workloads under pressure and within deadlines.

• Ability to produce quality results with limited resources.

• Knowledge and skills with automated computer systems, new technologies, records management, database systems to support service and operational needs; skill with use of university systems within three months of appointment.