The Alverno College Assistant Dean of Students is a central leader in the student affairs division, ensuring a meaningful co-curricular experience for students. The Student Affairs team of educators works passionately to support, educate and empower students in creating a vibrant campus culture of success that encourages each student to reach her unique potential as an effective community member and leader. Partnering with and reporting to the VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, the Assistant Dean of Students provides leadership, supervision and direction across this highly collaborative division, with specific responsibility for and oversight of Global Exchange programs, Residence Life, and Student Affairs Operations. With an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, the Assistant Dean models multicultural fluency and teaches intercultural competence. The Assistant Dean often represents the VPSA/Dean of Students and serves as a student affairs connection with our graduate students, as well as facilitating the student code of conduct and supporting the coordination of both new student orientation and college commencement activities. This is a full-time position involving considerable evening and weekend work.
Principal Responsibilities
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Inspire, support, motivate and supervise the Director of Residence Life, Coordinator of Global Exchange programs, and the Student Affairs Operations Manager
o Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the College's policies and applicable laws. Supervisory responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training and developing employees; assessing performance, celebrating successes and developing improvement plans as appropriate
- Indirectly lead the directors and staff in the other departments within student affairs: Athletics, Campus Safety, Counseling & Health Services, International and Intercultural Center, Student Activities and Leadership
Administrative Responsibilities
- Implement efforts to create a vibrant learning community in which students become engaged, take ownership for their environment, respect the rights of others, are held accountable for their behavior, and learn to balance personal needs with the needs of the community
- In partnership with the Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students, establish long-range goals that support the mission and vision of the division and the College
- Provide support and advocacy for students with concerns and provide appropriate referrals as necessary
- Facilitate mediation sessions with students unable to resolve their conflicts
- Oversee the student code of conduct and respective conduct process
- Monitor federal legislation as it relates student conduct to ensure compliance
- Assist with college Title IX policy and process
- Co-facilitate training for students, faculty and staff
- Assist with division co-curricular assessment and measurement of learning outcomes
- Serve as co-administrator for Early Alert program
- Participate on the college BIT (RADAR) team, assess policy needs and streamline processes to effectively deal with emergency situations and behavior concerns
- Administer or co-administer the Emergency Grant and Emergency Loan programs
- Assist with visioning and implementation related to student retention strategies
- Participate in the Residence Life on-call rotation
Community Relations
- Serve as a member of the Student Affairs division team and collaborate with colleagues from other departments to accomplish timely completion of projects and maintain smooth operations
- Share responsibility for representing and introducing Student Affairs at college new employee orientations
Professional Development
- Participate in department meetings, retreats, student programs, official college functions when appropriate, and other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the VPSA/Dean of Students
- Remain updated on trends and issues related to residence life, international programs and campus life
- Maintain communication with other colleges, professional peers, and professional organizations to remain current in areas of responsibility. Campus Memberships may include: ACPA or NASPA, ASCA, ACUHO-I, UMR-ACUHO, WAIE, WCPA, and the WAICU meetings.
College Responsibilities
- Comply with safety procedures and maintain clean and orderly work areas
- Participate on the following committees: Department Head Forum, Academic Status Committee, Student Support, Enrollment Review Group, and other committees as appropriate
- Perform other tasks as necessary to support the College mission
Job Qualifications
Required Education and Experience
- Master's degree in Student Personnel or related field required
- Experience in Residence Life strongly preferred
- Requires an extensive understanding of student development
- Must be able to work with confidential information
- Established facilitation/training skills preferred
- Demonstrated strengths in supervision and program development, as well as strengths in administrative organization (e.g., ability to prioritize heavy workload, taking initiative, communication, problem solving, multi-tasking).
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team setting & work effectively with a variety of audiences and departments
- Demonstrated multicultural competence and ability to work in diverse contexts
- Requires good judgment and problem-solving skills including the ability to calmly respond to emergencies
- Requires excellent written and oral communication skills.
o Requires the ability to communicate and respond to both internal and external customers professionally and in a timely manner. Must have the ability to read, interpret, write, and complete documents.
- Valid driver's license with a driving record that meets the qualifications of an approved Alverno driver
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, Publisher) including database management
- Requires the ability to freely move throughout the facility and grounds and regularly talk and hear. Must have the ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
Founded in 1887, Alverno College is a four-year, Catholic liberal arts college for undergraduate women sponsored by the School Sisters of St. Francis. The college also offers a robust array of graduate and degree completion programs for women and men. Student learning and personal and professional development are the central focus of everyone in the Alverno College community. As Wisconsin's first designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, Alverno enrolls a highly diverse student body of virtually every demographic and experience. It is an institution that has revered tradition and encouraged innovation for more than 130 years.
Application Process: Please ensure your resume and cover letter are uploaded to the application.
About Alverno College
Alverno College is nationally recognized for its innovative, ability-based curriculum that emphasizes active learning, continuous feedback, and student development. Learn more about our academic programs at https://catalog.alverno.edu/.
Applicant Accommodations
Alverno College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process. Applicants who require an accommodation to complete the application process or participate in an interview should contact the Human Resources Department at hr@alverno.edu.
Alverno College is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.