Dean of Student Success

Under the general direction of the Provost/VPAA, the Dean of Student Success provides vision and creative leadership for the development, implementation, and enhancement of services, policies, and procedures that facilitate increased student success and persistence. The Dean will oversee academic advising and will support campus-wide student success and retention initiatives. The Dean sets goals, establishes policies, develops priorities, and provides leadership for the functions of the Student Success Center; directs and provides support and evaluation of all units within the Center; fosters formative cross divisional relationships, projects, and tasks that support student success; develops and assesses initiatives that support student success; partners with internal and external units to guarantee student success; collaborates with all special support programs, orientation activities, admission programs, and projects that support student academic development; and spearheads faculty development that addresses academic advisement and student success. Direct reports to the Dean will include the Assistant Dean of Student Success, Director of Accessibility Services, Writing Center Director, Math Skills Coordinator and Administrative Assistant.

Essential Duties include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Administration of the Student Success Center and Development of Academic Advising Services (50%)

• Coordinates and provides leadership for the academic advising program at Hood College;
• Identifies and meets the need of diverse learners within the college;
• Designs, implements, directs, and evaluates centralized academic advising strategies for all undergraduate students particularly first and second-year students, transfer students, and undeclared students;
• Researches, develops, implements and directs new strategies to improve student retention (in collaboration with the Director of First Year Seminar, the Assistant Dean for Student Success, Dean of Students, VP for Community and Inclusivity (VPCI), and Registrar);
• Directs and evaluates all undergraduate advising/registration sessions;
• Supports first-year academic programming in collaboration with the Director of Student Engagement and Orientation, Director of First Year Seminar, and other members of the Division of Community and Inclusivity, i.e., Director of Wellness;
• Oversees, supervises, and coordinates summer advising/registration for first-year and transfer students;
• Encourages and develops collaborative efforts across divisions that support student success and retention (particularly Admissions and Student Life);
• Monitors and evaluates all budgets associated with the Student Success Center;
• Maintains appropriate data files to assess all existing and new student success programs (in collaboration with the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment);
• Analyzes data and provides reports each semester on the efficacy of academic support programs and their impact on student success and retention;
• Engages in continuous improvement of academic support services through annual outcomes assessment;
• Serves on the Academic Standards and Policies Committee of the faculty, as well as the Students of Concern Committee;
• Serves as a member of Provost Council.

Retention Leadership (30%)

• Serves as leader and central point of contact for Hood College retention initiatives; implements and annually updates the retention plan;
• Monitors progress on the retention strategy action plans and intervenes as necessary;
• Collaborates with the VPCI regarding retention initiatives and strategies, as needed;
• Aligns retention strategies with the College’s strategic priorities;
• Regularly reports status of retention initiatives directly to the Senior Team; and
• Chairs, establishes agendas and sets priorities for the Student Success Council (the former Retention Committee).

Faculty Development to Support Student Learning (10%)

• Spearheads professional development of academic advisors;
• Develops, implements and assesses faculty development programs that enhance faculty members’ ability to meet the needs of diverse learners;
• Routinely assesses the effectiveness of the academic advising program from both student and faculty perspectives; and
• Maintains a best-practices approach to the development of new advising strategies some of which are informed through ongoing affiliation with the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA).

Events, Programs, and Activities (10%)

• Represents Hood College locally, regionally, and nationally in the context of student success, persistence, and student development; and
• Represents the Student Success Center at campus events, programs, and activities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• The Dean supervises the administrative staff in the Student Success Center which includes:
• Assistant Dean of Student Success
• Director of Accessibility Services
• Director of the Writing Center
• Math Skills Coordinator
• Administrative Assistant

Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required for programming, registration and recruitment events.

Must be willing to perform essential duties on campus and outside of the office for outreach, education events and activities.

Travel for recruitment, networking, and professional development may be required.

Qualifications

We seek a candidate who values diversity, equity and inclusion in all that they do. Candidates must have strong organizational skills and a proven ability to work collaboratively with partners across campus in support of Hood College’s mission as a student-centered, liberal arts institution.

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications

• Terminal degree preferred, Master’s Degree required;
• 10 or more years of experience in a college/university environment, with at least 2 years serving in a leadership/supervisory role;
• Contemporary knowledge of current best-practices in student success, retention and academic planning and advising;
• Experience leading or directing academic advising programs at the college level;
• Demonstrated effective, innovative and collaborative leadership in higher education;
• Experience in working with diverse learners.

The candidate must have a proven record as an effective leader who is able to provide confident, collaborative leadership and work collegially with faculty and other administrators. The Dean should be a person of great integrity who embraces the Hood College community and its values, traditions, and future goals.

Preferred Skills and Characteristics

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and switch tasks as needed.
• Experience in supervising student-centered office and multiple employees.
• Strong oral/written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with a diverse group of constituents.
• Exceptional presentation skills.
• Well-developed organization and time management skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, constantly changing office environment where teamwork is essential.
• A sound understanding of student development theory, retention best-practices, and effective academic advising models.
• Ability to work well one-on-one and in groups with students and employees.
• Proven ability developing and facilitating training programs for diverse populations.
• Knowledge and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office.

Technology Skills

Proficient in MS Office tools (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), e-mail and Internet. Ability to learn new applications quickly including organization-wide information systems and department-specific software applications.

Language Skills

Strong oral and written communication skills. Ability to effectively provide information and positively respond to questions from both external and internal customers both in person and by phone. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Mathematical Skills

Proficient with statistical and financial concepts. Must have the ability to apply those concepts to tracking, projections, goal setting and interpreting reports. Must be able to draw conclusions from reports and make cost effective decisions regarding programs.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a number of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to work independently and as a member of a group in developing and executing project plans. Ability to work in theoretical arena and apply logic as appropriate.

To Apply

We invite qualified candidates to apply on-line via our electronic application which requires submission of a résumé and three professional references. For best consideration, all application materials must be received before March 13, 2023. A July 5, 2023, start date is anticipated.

If you need assistance with the on-line application process, please email humanresources@hood.edu or call (301) 696-3592.

Hood College is committed to diversity in its faculty and staff and subscribes to a policy of hiring only individuals legally eligible to work in the United States. EOE/AAP/M/F/Vet/Disability Employer

Hood College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, religion, or age in recruitment, admission and access to, or treatment, or employment in its programs, services, benefits, or activities as required by applicable laws including Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and complies with the law regarding reasonable accommodation for disabled applicants and students. Inquiries about discrimination or reasonable accommodation should be referred to the Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator at Alumnae Hall, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD. 21701 (AD 312), (301) 696-3592.  For complete information on Hood College’s nondiscrimination policy, please visit http://www.hood.edu/non-discrimination/.