Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

About the role

The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs provides strategic leadership and operational oversight in support of undergraduate student success. This role advances initiatives that enhance the undergraduate experience, ensures high‑quality services across student‑facing units, and fosters a collaborative, student‑centered culture. The Assistant Dean serves as a key member of the Academic Affairs leadership team, working closely with the associate dean, assistant deans, directors, departments, central administrative offices, and external partners to align programs and services with the College of Engineering (CoE) and institutional priorities. The CoE Academic Affairs includes student engagement and leadership, student organizations, K‑12 outreach, career services, undergraduate and graduate advising, learning support, scholarships, and student wellness. The position directly supervises one or more functional units, ensuring effective service delivery, continuous improvement, and alignment with the CoE’s academic mission.

Responsibilities

• Advise and collaborate with the Dean, Associate Dean, and/or Office of the Provost on critical issues, representing the functional area at meetings and events, and serve on or lead various program and university committees as directed.
• Serve on university review committees, working with constituencies including the Faculty Senate, Deans and Associate Deans, General Counsel, and University Leadership.
• Monitor ongoing assessment and continuous improvement of academic programs and services by guiding the establishment of annual goals, ensuring progress, articulating challenges, and reporting outcomes.
• Support special initiatives and grant‑funded programs that require senior leadership attention with respect to program design, planning, coordination, and stakeholder interaction.
• Facilitate collegial, collaborative relationships with a broad range of stakeholders; partner with administrative and academic departments to support initiatives and gather input for recommendations.
• Establish priorities that align with strategic directives of the assigned school or college, ensuring units effectively support the university’s academic mission; provide direct supervision of department/program leadership staff and monitor compliance with laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and contractual obligations.
• Exercise supervisory authority for at least 2.0 FTE or equivalent employees, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and approving hours worked.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs, academic administration, or a related area.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience leading and supervising staff, managing multiple teams or functional units.
• Proven experience advancing student success initiatives with measurable impact (e.g., retention, engagement, satisfaction).
• Experience implementing academic or student affairs policy and procedures.
• Experience working collaboratively across departments and administrative units in a complex organizational setting.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across diverse stakeholders.
• Experience using data and assessment to inform decision‑making, program improvement, and strategic planning.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a college of engineering or similarly complex academic environment.
• Understanding of the engineering profession and curricula, and ability to relate to engineering undergraduates and prospective students.
• Demonstrated success overseeing student‑facing units such as advising, student engagement, student services, or recruitment.
• Experience with budget management, resource allocation, and operational oversight.
• Familiarity with student information systems, reporting tools, and assessment frameworks.
• Experience leading cross‑functional initiatives or large‑scale student experience improvements.

Education

• Master’s degree required; preferred in higher education, student affairs, educational leadership, psychology, social science, engineering, or a related field.

Compensation

The starting salary for the position is $110,000 (negotiable based on experience and qualifications).

Contact Information

Beth Brandl – beth.brandl@wisc.edu