Dean of Students

Franklin University, a private, independent, accredited, nonprofit university located in Columbus, Ohio, invites applications for the position of Dean of Students.

Founded in 1902, Franklin University has built its reputation on removing barriers to higher education for ambitious adults balancing educational goals with work, family, and other commitments. Accredited and nonprofit, Franklin is recognized as an innovator in online education and serves students through applied undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs designed to support career advancement and lifelong learning. More than 50,000 Franklin alumni live and work around the world, making meaningful contributions to their professions and communities.

Position Summary

The Dean of Students will lead and advance Franklin University’s student-centered philosophy by providing strategic, results-driven leadership that supports student success, retention, and goal attainment. This role drives high-impact strategies across key student-facing units to ensure consistent, high-quality engagement throughout the student lifecycle, aligned with the University’s enrollment and growth goals.

The Dean will serve as a transformational leader in applying artificial intelligence across Student Affairs, reimagining how high-quality, high-touch student support can be scaled without losing the human connection, while improving responsiveness and delivering measurable gains in student success.

This role provides strategic oversight for Academic Advising, Current Student Communications, and Community Standards; serves as Co-Chair of the University's Student Success Initiative; oversees student policies and appeals; and fosters a culture of innovation, accountability, continuous improvement, and student-centered service across the division.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Dean of Students Office, including Academic Advising, Current Student Communications, and Community Standards.
• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing team focused on student success, retention, persistence, and degree completion.
• Partner with Academic Affairs, Admissions, Financial Aid, Academic Support Services, and other university leaders to develop and implement strategies that support enrollment growth, student engagement, and positive student outcomes.
• Serve as Co-Chair of the University's Student Success Initiative (SSI), leveraging data, analytics, and student success metrics to identify opportunities and guide institutional decision-making.
• Champion innovative approaches to student support, including the thoughtful application of artificial intelligence, technology, and process improvement to enhance the student experience while maintaining meaningful human connection.
• Develop and oversee proactive student outreach, intervention, and support strategies designed to improve retention, persistence, and completion rates.
• Promote an inclusive and supportive learning environment that meets the needs of Franklin’s diverse student population, including adult learners, military-affiliated students, and other special populations.
• Provide leadership in the development, interpretation, and implementation of student policies, procedures, and practices to ensure consistency, fairness, and regulatory compliance.
• Serve as the University's Primary Appeal Officer, overseeing institutional appeals and external student complaints.
• Manage departmental budgets, resources, and operational priorities in alignment with institutional goals.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to expand student support resources and strengthen community partnerships.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational effectiveness, service delivery, and student satisfaction.
• Remain informed of emerging trends, research, and best practices in student affairs and higher education, applying those insights to advance departmental and institutional priorities.
• Demonstrate agility, sound judgment, and a solutions-oriented mindset when responding to complex or urgent student and institutional matters.
• Perform other duties and lead special initiatives as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree required; doctoral degree preferred.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education, Student Affairs, enrollment management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience supporting student success, retention, engagement, and persistence initiatives.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and hold accountable high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated ability to use data, metrics, and assessment to inform strategy and evaluate outcomes.
• Experience leading organizational change, innovation, or technology-enabled improvements.
• Strong communication, collaboration, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Clear student-centered philosophy and commitment to fostering student success.

Additional Information

This position follows an on-site hybrid work schedule and requires flexibility to meet departmental and university needs. Evening and weekend events may be required, and some travel is expected.

Franklin offers a competitive benefits package, incentive program, and free parking. In addition, Franklin provides free undergraduate tuition for employees and eligible family members, graduate tuition assistance for full-time employees and eligible family members, and a discount on doctoral tuition for employees.

Franklin University is committed to creating a respectful and inclusive educational and workplace environment. Franklin does not discriminate on the basis of age, religion, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, immigration status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or familial status, disability, or veteran or military status.