Assistant Dean for Student Life

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Who We Are

Michigan Law, one of the oldest law schools in the nation, was founded in 1859 and enjoys a reputation for academic excellence. Michigan is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the nation, and enjoys international renown for its academic rigor, stunning physical surroundings, the faculty's preeminent scholarship, and an academic community noted for collegiality and warmth. Supported by remarkable facilities, preeminent faculty-scholars, and unparalleled architecture and physical environment, Michigan Law has more than 22,000 alumni, over 1,000 J.D. candidates, and 107 full-time faculty members, including 55 tenured and tenure-track, 27 clinical and legal practice, and 57 part-time faculty members. For the graduating class of 2024, 98 percent were employed. Contributing to the close-knit law-school community, law students have a choice of 9 student-edited journals and more than 70 student organizations in which to participate.

Job Summary

Michigan Law seeks an Assistant Dean for Student Life. This role reports to the Senior Assistant Dean for Student Life. Collaboratively and collectively, the Senior Assistant Dean and Assistant dean provide leadership and support to the Office of Student Life (OSL) and its staff. The working title for this role may include Dean of Students.

The Office of Student Life has a broad portfolio with responsibility for JD student services administration (collaborating with the Assistant Dean for International Affairs on matters pertaining to LLM and SJD students). For example, OSL supports student organizations and student leaders, designs and hosts major events such as new student orientation, provides bespoke support to individual students who are experiencing disruption to their academic experience, and has a major role in critical incident response. OSL also provides general advisory services on classroom and exam accommodations, character and fitness issues, misconduct proceedings, professionalism, wellness, and serves as a resource to direct students to other support services offered by the University.

The Assistant Dean works collaboratively with faculty and administrators, particularly those in student-centric offices, to ensure delivery of consistent and coordinated student support, and to ensure a vibrant, challenging, and academically rewarding environment that fosters an outstanding student experience both in and out of the classroom.

Responsibilities*

• Collaborates with the Senior Assistant Dean to provide strategic vision, leadership, guidance, and operational support for the Office of Student Life so that it can meet the changing demands of a highly intellectual and diverse student body;
• Collaborates with the Senior Assistant Dean to provide leadership and oversight for policy development, ongoing assessment, communication to students, and response to crisis and critical incidents;
• Collaborates with other senior administrative leaders, faculty, academic deans, academic support professionals, and student organizations to foster community, create opportunities for student learning, and support and promote student health and wellness;
• Plans and executes annual orientation, pre-orientation, and service day programs;
• Collaborates with the Registrar on issues relating to exam administration, bar exam certification, degree audits, academic advising, and accommodations administration;
• Develops and implements a wide range of programming, presentations, and activities, designed to optimize our students' experience of and participation in their academic experience, including co- and extracurricular pursuits, and, in collaboration with the Office of Career Planning, to develop their leadership and professionalism skills;
• Works closely with the Law School Student Senate and other student groups to enrich the climate both within and outside the classroom;
• Provides individual counseling as necessary to students on a wide array of student academic and personal issues and concerns;
• Develops resources and programming on academic advising, and coordinates provision of academic support services, including services to students whose performance indicates opportunity for improvement;
• Interprets and ensures compliance with ABA Standards, the Law School's Academic Regulations, University rules, and FERPA and other applicable federal, state, and local laws;
• Advises students during misconduct, discipline, and grievance proceedings, and serves as a point person for character and fitness evaluations and other issues related to bar qualification;
• Advises students on disability accommodations and the accommodations process;
• Represents the Law School to internal and external constituencies, including presentations to large audiences such as at admitted student weekends, orientations, and alumni events;
• Attends a variety of student-led events and activities, including on weekends and during evenings.

Required Qualifications*

• Juris doctor, masters in higher education, or an equivalent degree.
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in higher education or the legal industry.
• Excellent understanding of legal education, student affairs best practices and trends (including disability services, sexual assault, student wellness, and misconduct procedures), and a proven commitment to fostering student success, growth, and achievement.
• Experience with direct supervision of multiple staff members, as a consensus-builder and team leader.
• Demonstrated ability to counsel and connect with law students, and success working with multicultural student populations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex initiatives, programs, or events across multiple departments and stakeholders
• Exemplary oral and written communication skills, characterized by the ability to work effectively with a range of constituents, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and University colleagues.
• Excellent judgment, excellent interpersonal skills, tact, discretion, and demonstrated high standards for professionalism.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Resourceful problem-solver, with a proven ability to work well independently and collaboratively.
• Familiarity and comfort with data-management tools. Track record of building systems and processes for appropriate response to time-sensitive issues.
• Proven ability to succeed in a fast-paced work environment. Ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously, to be decisive, and to work well under pressure while maintaining a positive attitude and sense of humor.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.