Dean of Academic Support Services

Saint Mary's University is looking for a Dean of Academic Support Services who is eager to contribute to its Lasallian Catholic mission of awakening, nurturing, and empowering learners to ethical lives of service and leadership. We invite individuals to help transform lives through education, inspired by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition’s quest to understand the human experience through faith and reason and its embrace of all who are dedicated to learning from one another through authentic conversations in search of the truth.

We are particularly interested in, and give preference to candidates that will demonstrate a vision to create and nurture great initiatives that promote our mission in the context of their jobs, and who wish to foster a culture of dialogue that, with deep respect for all people, support the search for meaning and purpose in the pursuit of excellence.

The Dean of Academic Support Services is a high-level administrator who supports the Provost in overseeing and coordinating academic support services provided to both undergraduate and graduate students at Saint Mary’s University on all campuses. The Dean provides leadership for several reporting units of professional and support staff who provide student-centric services such as tutoring, advising, access services, career counseling, and writing services. In addition, the Dean of Academic Support Services oversees the undergraduate and graduate libraries, as well as the First Generation Initiative. 

Overall, this position is charged with developing and enhancing the quality of support offered to every student, to help them succeed in and out of the classroom. The ideal candidate for this position will have strong leadership and management skills, experience in higher education administration, and expertise in successful student support initiatives.

• Develop and implement academic support programs, policies, and procedures that align with Saint Mary’s strategic goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with academic departments, faculty, and administrators to identify and address student academic needs and challenges.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the Student Success Center, Writing, Career, Learning and Access Services, Advising, Libraries, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Manage the hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating staff in supervisory areas.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations related to academic support services and student privacy.
• Coordinate with external agencies and partners to provide academic support services to students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.
• Promote and support the infusion of character education and virtue formation into student support structures.
• Manage the budget, oversee and approve all expenditures, allocate necessary resources for student support, and assist with projecting.
• In collaboration with the Office for Institutional Effectiveness, collect and analyze data on academic support services, student outcomes, and program effectiveness to inform decision-making and program improvement.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with external organizations and agencies to promote academic support services and enhance student success.
• Participates in University events, celebrations, graduations, and serves on University task forces, committees, and other entities as the need arises.
• Coordinates special projects as assigned by the Provost.

Essential Skills and Functions:

• An appreciation of shared governance and evidence of a strong ability to work effectively and collaboratively with the President, Provost, Deans, faculty, administrators, staff, as well as other constituent groups and partners.
• Strong and persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and multicultural literacy.
• Working knowledge of emerging technologies and the effective application of instructional technologies to enhance student learning.
• Understanding of contemporary issues in higher education and its impact on undergraduate, graduate, non-traditional and online learners.
• Fiscal discipline and appreciation for the proper stewardship of resources.
• Leadership abilities in managing multiple direct reports, including ongoing evaluation and professional development of staff.

Experience and Education:

Required: 

• A Master's degree in Education, Business, Organizational Development, or related field.
• Academic background and creative accomplishments that exhibit a commitment to academic excellence.
• 10 years of demonstrated success in an education setting, with progressively greater responsibility in upper level leadership in environments similar in size, scope, and complexity to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
• Familiarity with mission-based institutes of higher education, and how it drives and informs all aspects of the university or college.
• Budgetary experience in managing expenses for large and complex units, including allocating resources effectively and efficiently among competing needs.
• Understanding of applicable federal and state regulations related to academic support services and student privacy, including relevant accreditation standards.

Preferred: 

• A Ph.D. or Ed.D. degree.

Apply online at https://hive.smumn.edu/about/offices/human-resources/employment-opportunities and please include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota believes inclusion and human dignity contributes to a robust academic and work environment and is critical to achieving the University's mission in an increasingly diverse society. Individuals with expertise and diverse skills from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The successful candidate must support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary's University as a Lasallian Catholic institution.

Saint Mary’s offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement pension plan, and both undergraduate and graduate tuition remission plans.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check