Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Law School

Position Summary

University at Buffalo School of Law invites applications for the position of Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. The School of Law serves approximately 450 full-time students and has over 45 full-time faculty members. The School of Law Student Affairs office includes Academic Success; Advising; Career Services; Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Records & Registration; and Student Life.

The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs supports the Vice Dean for Student Affairs with strategic planning and projects, communications, and student advising. The Assistant Dean of Student Affairs promotes a diverse, equitable, and welcoming law school community and focuses on building student inclusion, resiliency, and success. The ability to communicate in a clear, timely, and accurate manner to law school stakeholders, students, faculty, and staff is necessary for this position, and it is also critical that the Assistant Dean respect all members of the community and protect confidential information.

The Assistant Dean provides professional advising and guidance to students, including explaining academic policies and procedures, graduation requirements, and related professional obligations for licensure. The Assistant Dean will serve on committees within the School of Law and the external community, including the larger campus and legal community. The Assistant Dean will work closely in a collaborative environment with students, faculty, staff, and other senior administrative leaders and offices.
Responsibilities:

• Support the Vice Dean for Student Affairs with strategic projects, communications, and provision of student advising and services.
• Manage the Student Affairs Office, which includes Student Life; Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Records and Registration; Career Services; and Academic Success.
• Manage and facilitate accommodations within the law school in collaboration with the University at Buffalo’s Office of Accessibility Resources and the law school’s Office of Records and Registration.
• Advise students on academic-related matters, including academic and graduation requirements, academic supervision, course planning and registration, and related issues.
• Meet with students to provide guidance and referrals in times of stress and emergencies, including family and personal issues.
• Provide support to students when they apply for bar admission.
• Support Vice Dean for Student Affairs in advising students subject to academic supervision and supplemental mandatory academic requirements, including meeting with students to ensure they are supported, understand their requirements, and are enrolled in appropriate courses.
• Develop and refine student leadership, wellness, and mental health initiatives, including the law school’s Peer-to-Peer Advocates.
• Collaborate to develop and implement the overall student communications strategy for the Office of Student Affairs.
• Develop Student Affairs budget in consultation with Unit Business Officer.
• Collaborate to provide leadership and guidance for student organizations.
• Collect, analyze, and review data in developing progress reports and evaluations for making data-guided decisions and recommendations regarding the various student programs and services.
• Serve on committees as needed.
• Develop positive working relationships with students, staff, faculty, University departments, and members of the legal community.

University at Buffalo is an affirmative action equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• J.D degree from an ABA accredited law school or other professional degree with specific experience in higher education
• Minimum of three years of professional or practice experience required
• Superior and proven skills in written and oral communication
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in an academic or professional setting
• Experience managing people or projects and ability to take initiative to develop and keep timelines
• Ability to prioritize workload effectively and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to be proactive in offering suggestions for improving all aspects of the programs
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and supportive working relationships with a diverse group of students, faculty and staff
• Must demonstrate patience and remain both calm and respectful during times of crisis

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a law school setting is preferred
• Successful completion of a bar exam in any state
• Teaching experience, either full or part time in higher education
• Experience in academic counseling or student support and prior experience in academic support/counseling

For more information, click the "How to Apply" button.