Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

Position Summary

The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs will provide forward‑looking, strategic leadership to enhance the academic experience of all undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS). The role oversees student support services, drives innovative initiatives to support academic success, persistence, and development, and contributes to both the College’s and University’s strategic plans for inclusive academic excellence.

Work Model

Full‑time, 12 months per year, onsite in Seattle.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide academic and personal guidance to students.
• Consult with academic department chairs and all CAS faculty.
• Represent the college on committees, boards, and policy work.
• Oversee academic standing reviews, determining quarterly probation and dismissal decisions.
• Manage student petitions and college decisions regarding degree requirements, registration, and grading.
• Collaborate with the CAS Dean, Dean’s office, University Advising, Student Financial Services, Office of the Registrar, University Advancement, University Events, Student Affairs, and other SU colleges and offices.
• Report to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Essential Duties

• Represent CAS as the Dean’s designee with the Office of the Registrar on academic forms, including petitions to the Dean, petitions for exceptions to policy, hardship withdrawals, student leave of absences, and related approvals.
• Oversee quarterly academic standings of all CAS students below the minimum GPA, determining academic warning, probation, and suspension; meet with suspended students and decide on reinstatement.
• Meet with students experiencing academic and personal hardships and assist them through the Hardship Withdrawal process.
• Represent CAS at the Dean of Students office’s weekly CARE team meeting and/or consult with the CAS Lead Advisor to review moderate‑or‑higher student issues and plan appropriate interventions.
• Maintain professional relationships with University Advising and CAS academic advisors to implement university‑wide advising initiatives, policies, and procedures.
• Act as primary college contact for university‑wide retention efforts, collaborating with Student Affairs, the Provost’s Office, and others.
• Serve as primary liaison to University Admissions, providing updates, presentations, and partnering to plan and execute admissions strategies for new CAS undergraduate students.
• Lead CAS presence at signature University Admissions events (e.g., Fall Preview, Admitted Students Days), recruiting faculty, staff, and students and designing CAS‑specific programming.
• Design and lead additional recruitment and admissions yield initiatives in collaboration with the CAS Director of Marketing and Communication and Seattle University Marketing Communications.
• Administer CAS Continuing Student Scholarships, chair the awards and scholarships review committee, use the Scholarship Universe system to promote scholarships, review applications, select recipients, and disburse awards.
• Plan CAS convening and induction activities aligned with first‑year student experience and persistence efforts, coordinating faculty, staff, and student participation.
• Administer CAS awards and recognition processes, facilitating nominations, reviews, notifications, and recognition.
• Plan and implement the CAS Graduation Celebration, handling event set‑up, logistics, and coordinating staff and faculty involvement.
• Provide oversight of the Student Executive Council (undergraduate) and Arts and Sciences Graduate Council.
• Maintain integrity of student records and comply with university policies, deadlines, and procedures related to enrollment.
• Serve on CAS and campus‑wide committees and working groups.
• Represent the CAS Dean as requested or needed.
• Respond strategically to evolving university priorities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D., Ed.D., or Master’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three to five years of experience in academic advising administration.
• Knowledge of student development theory and demonstrated capability for personalized, outstanding academic advising that supports educational and personal development.
• Professional and interpersonal skills to supervise professional, graduate, and administrative staff, providing developmental leadership in a high‑volume, high‑pressure setting.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with diverse academic stakeholders (faculty, department chairs, program directors, staff).
• Experience with university/college policies and procedures and sound judgment in decision‑making.
• Expertise in working with at‑risk students and knowledge of retention and persistence theory.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to present to large public audiences.
• Knowledge of program assessment, learning outcomes, and evaluation techniques.
• Understanding and appreciation for the role of student services in a Jesuit institution and commitment to the university’s mission, vision, and values.
• Commitment to diversity and experience working with students of diverse backgrounds.
• Personal qualities: professionalism, patience, attention to detail, follow‑through, teamwork, calmness, industry, and sense of humor.
• Ability to perform duties with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to work regular evening hours and some weekends.
• Successful completion of a criminal history background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with student data management systems.
• Proficiency in Excel and the full Microsoft Office suite.

Compensation

Salary range: $91,468 – $93,000 per year (subject to qualifications, budget, equity considerations, and market data).

Benefits

• Choice of three medical plans, plus dental and vision insurance.
• Life insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability coverage.
• Retirement contributions: up to 10% employer contribution (5% nonelective + dollar‑for‑dollar match up to 5% of voluntary contributions).
• 100% paid tuition benefits for employee and dependents.
• Subsidized transportation benefit.
• Wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility.
• Generous holiday schedule, including a paid December holiday break, vacation, paid sick leave, and paid community service leave.
• Access to a wide variety of campus events.