Assistant Director of Student Life

Overview:

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is a multidenominational, evangelical graduate school committed to equipping Christian leaders to think theologically, engage globally, and live biblically. With nearly 1,400 students across campuses in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida, and online, Gordon-Conwell's student body represents more than eighty-five denominations and fifty countries. The seminary offers master's and doctoral programs-delivered in English, Spanish, and Portuguese-that combine academic excellence, spiritual formation, and a deep commitment to Scripture. Its 12,000 alumni serve Christ through ministry in the church, the academy, and the workplace. Gordon-Conwell is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, the New England Commission of Higher Education, and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of Student Life fosters a safe, healthy, and supportive campus environment that promotes students' intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual growth. The role serves as Gordon-Conwell's PDSO and Lead International Student Advisor, supports the Dean of Students, supervises the Coordinator of Student Life, and oversees student life strategies and programs, including housing, residence life, campus safety, engagement, events, and community life.

Key Responsibilities:

Administration/Leadership

• Leads and supervises the Hamilton Student Life Team; manages the Hamilton Student Life budget.
• Implements and evaluates Seminary policies affecting residential students and oversees annual updates to the housing manual, Out and About Handbook, and Campus Guide to Auto & Public Safety Regulations.
• Oversee events in partnership with the Student Life Coordinator and Hamilton Student Union.

Student Care/Development:

• Help cultivate a diverse, formative campus culture where students grow spiritually and personally, respect differences, take responsibility, and exercise leadership.
• Designs programs and interventions that support students and families and promote student life consistent with Seminary ethos.
• Counsel students on personal, spiritual, disciplinary, and formational matters and refers them to appropriate professionals or agencies.
• Administers academic extensions/ADA for Hamilton students in coordination with Student Success and Registration.
• Recruits, leads, and mentors dormitory Residence Life Coordinators.
• Oversees Hamilton student conduct processes with the Dean of Students.
• Serves as the primary student crisis contact, campus safety and local police liaison; lead the Inclement Weather Response Team.

Programming

• Collaborates with faculty and staff to support student success through co-curricular events and coordinates orientation, TB clinic, and residential commencement activities with student services staff.
• Serves as a co-chair of the Hamilton Commencement Committee.
• Serves on the Hamilton admissions review committee.

Compliance

• Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) Lead International Student Advisor.

o Serves as PDSO and primary SEVP contact for all campuses; maintains SEVIS and Form I-17 information, manages recertification, trains DSOs, maintains F-1 student resources, supports DSOs with specific concerns.

o Serves as Hamilton's International Student Advisor; maintains SEVIS compliance with DSOs and DHS guidelines; advises F-1 students on visas, work authorization, reinstatement, reduced course loads, status changes, medical leave, and hardship employment; connects students with resources; and coordinates the International Student Welcome Committee and arrival process.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Key Competencies:

• Communication: Builds trust through clear, timely, and empathetic communication with students, families, colleagues, and external partners.
• Pastoral Care: Strengthens student well-being through wise, compassionate, and spiritually grounded care.
• Cultural Competence: Fosters belonging by serving diverse, international, and multilingual students with cultural humility, practical support, and cross-cultural communication; additional language abilities are highly beneficial.
• Collaborative Leadership: Mobilizes teams and partners across the Seminary to advance student flourishing and operational excellence.
• Agreement with and commitment to GCTS's Statement of Faith, Mission, and Community Life Statement.

Education & Experience:

• Master's degree required; PhD or DMin preferred.
• Five years of experience in student affairs, higher education, or a related field preferred; Christian organization experience ideal.
• Experience as a PDSO, DSO, or international student advisor preferred, including SEVIS/SEVP compliance, Form I-17 maintenance, F-1 advising, DSO coordination, and international student support.
• Experience supervising student life or residence life staff, managing budgets, coordinating campus programming, and supporting student conduct, crisis response, and residential student success is preferred.
• Proactive understanding of student life services preferred.

Application Process:

Please apply through Gordon-Conwell's Career Center available here: https://www.gordonconwell.edu/employment/

Please include these documents in either Microsoft Word or PDF formats:

• A cover letter addressed to the Dean of Students & Vice President of Academic Operations explaining your interest in the position.
• A formal resume/CV with three professional references.

No hard copy materials, please. Opportunities to interview will be made available at the search committee's initiative. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.