Dean of Students

The Dean of Students (DOS) is a strong advocate of student success and well-being and demonstrates firm commitment to inclusivity. Under the general direction of the Provost, the DOS envisions, oversees, coordinates, and assesses the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic student life program that synthesizes the intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual development of students. The DOS directs all professional and support staff members within student life including, but not limited to, orientation, student engagement, residential life, and commuter life.

The DOS works collaboratively with members of the Provost’s Council, the division of Community and Inclusivity, as well as other administrators and staff and faculty to ensure that all student life functions are fully integrated with academic initiatives. Key elements of the position include fostering student engagement, student leadership development, ensuring a robust and enriching residential experience, crisis intervention, conflict resolution and student behavioral management. The Dean is a highly visible and engaged student development professional on campus whose presence is expected at campus and student events.

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

Student Life (75%)

• Develops a multi-year plan for student life programming that engages all students and fosters a vibrant campus community. Utilizes relevant data, research and student development theories to actively champion and support student learning and holistic success.
• Develops, implements and assesses annual team and individual goals within student life to align with and support the College’s mission and strategic plan.
• In close collaboration with the Dean of Student Success and Office of Admission, plans, implements and assesses new student advising days, new student orientation and the peer mentoring program for new first-year and transfer students.
• Oversees student life communications in partnership with the Office of Marketing and Communications.
• Oversees and directs College response to student crises or other events that could impact student safety. As needed, manages and triages these incidents and ensures appropriate follow-up and communication.
• In close collaboration with the Student Success Council (formerly the Retention Committee) and others, assists in campus-wide efforts to identify individual student problems early and develop appropriate responses.
• Serves as principal point of contact for all student policies, issues and concerns, including with student families, faculty and other staff as appropriate and needed. Collaborates with faculty, staff and others to provide support to students in a timely manner.
• Assists in the oversight and support of student organizations and student activities, including directing and assisting in social, recreational, and curricular programs for residential and commuter students.
• Provides leadership and oversight for the student code of conduct processes and policies.
• Assists the Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement in the oversight and management of the Parents’ Council.
• Works in close partnership with the Vice President for Community and Inclusivity leading the C.A.R.E. Team (Campus Assessment, Response and Evaluation) providing support for students in crisis.
• Represents the College on campus and in the local community on matters pertaining to student life programs and activities.
• Maintains high visibility on campus engaging students in a variety of settings and be responsible for developing and implementing services, activities, and opportunities that enhance the student experience in support of Hood College’s mission and strategic plan.
• Provides leadership and oversight of residence life policies, procedures, and programming implemented through the residence life team.
• Ensures that all student life policies and procedures are routinely updated and published in the Student Handbook.
• Provides structured and formal programming to facilitate student leadership development.

Administration (25%)

• Serves as a member of the Provost’s Council and assumes leadership in division-wide and campus efforts to advance student success and well-being.
• Manages at least 4 direct reports and their subordinates in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; ensuring accountability; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

• Develops, reviews, revises and assesses student life policies and processes to reflect best practices and ensure continuous improvement.
• Oversees annual updates to the Student Handbook and all policies therein.
• Ensures compliance with all local, state and federal laws, codes and regulations, and campus policies and procedures.
• Formulates, oversees and directs the development and implementation of student personnel policies and other judicial matters.
• Reviews budgets and directs appropriations.
• Issues ongoing scheduled reports to appropriate campus constituents regarding student life operations including residence life data (housing projections for annual budgeting), and annual outcomes assessment reports for each student life office.

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.

Education and/or Experience

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications

Terminal degree preferred; Master’s degree in Student Life, Higher Education Administration or related field from an accredited college or university with 5 years related leadership experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Leadership experience must encompass areas related to those noted in the position description, and include supervisory responsibilities.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience in student development and student programming.
• Student Personnel Competency and knowledge of Higher Education regulations (such as Higher Education Act of 1965, Title IX, FERPA and Clery Act).
• Knowledge of local, state and federal regulations and laws governing higher education, especially in terms of student life.
• Familiarity with national student surveys and best practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current best practices as it relates to student identity development, student behavior and student crisis response.

Characteristics

• A passion for student development and building relationships with students as part of an inclusive, welcoming, and caring living/learning community.
• Demonstrated record of successful administrative leadership in higher education, preferably within an independent college setting.
• Financial, operational and strategic-planning experience.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively and effectively with the Provost, members of the Provost’s Council and all members of the College community.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills; the ability to build consensus.
• Openness, accessibility and responsiveness to the ideas of others.
• A practical and decisive manner with the courage to make difficult and timely decisions as appropriate and necessary.
• A record of exemplary personal and professional integrity.
• A commitment to hands-on servant leadership.
• A sense of humor.

Competencies

Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; Inspires respect and trust; mobilizes others to fulfill the vision; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates.

Interpersonal Skills - Resolves conflicts; Maintains confidentiality; Works effectively with diverse constituents and groups of people; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.

Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Managing People - Includes faculty, staff and students in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self available to faculty and staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services.

Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; educates others on the value of diversity, inclusion, and belonging; promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.

Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in-group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.

Preferred Skills and Characteristics

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

Highly proficient in the English language and strong ability to communicate key concepts. Must have persuasive written and oral skills. Ability to speak and write effectively on a broad range of material. Ability to read and interpret documents such as research studies, administrative policies, and journals, newspapers, etc. Ability to write strategic and departmental plans, create routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of students, faculty, staff, and other constituencies.

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 cover letter, résumé and name/contact information for three professional references.

The position is open until filled.

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/ .

Updated, 9/28/2023 - position open until filled.