Assistant Dean of Graduate Student Services, Graduate College [R0151115]

About the role

The Assistant Dean of Graduate Student Services, Graduate College, plays a dual role leading some of the Graduate College’s most visible student engagement and community-building initiatives, and serves as the chief adjudicator and policy authority for graduate student academic appeals and Graduate Assistant (GA) grievance processes.

Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership, policy authority, and oversight of graduate and professional student services, including adjudication, appeals, grievance processes, and high-impact professional development initiatives.
• Shaping both the graduate student experience and the institutional systems that govern student progression, policy interpretation, and dispute resolution.
• Led some of the Graduate College’s most visible student engagement and community-building initiatives.
• Serves as the chief adjudicator and policy authority for graduate student academic appeals and Graduate Assistant (GA) grievance processes.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. from an accredited college or university as recognized by the United States Department of Education and/or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
• 5-7 years of experience.
• Significant and progressively responsible experience in higher education leadership, including academic administration, graduate education, or student services in a complex institutional environment.
• Demonstrated experience with academic policy interpretation, student appeals, adjudication, or grievance processes, including the ability to manage cases from intake through resolution.
• Proven ability to manage complex, sensitive, and high-stakes cases requiring discretion, sound judgment, and consistent application of policy and procedure.
• Experience applying and interpreting institutional, system-level, and federal policies and regulations (e.g., FERPA, Title IX, FLSA, or comparable frameworks).
• Demonstrated expertise in conflict resolution, mediation, and due process, including navigating emotionally charged or legally sensitive situations.
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear, defensible written and verbal decisions and communications in complex cases.
• Experience leading or contributing to graduate student services, student success initiatives, or professional development programming.
• Demonstrated commitment to fair and consistent policy application across diverse student populations.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. from an accredited college or university as recognized by the United States Department of Education and/or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
• Significant and progressively responsible experience in higher education leadership, including academic administration, graduate education, or student services in a complex institutional environment.
• Demonstrated experience with academic policy interpretation, student appeals, adjudication, or grievance processes, including the ability to manage cases from intake through resolution.
• Proven ability to manage complex, sensitive, and high-stakes cases requiring discretion, sound judgment, and consistent application of policy and procedure.
• Experience applying and interpreting institutional, system-level, and federal policies and regulations (e.g., FERPA, Title IX, FLSA, or comparable frameworks).
• Demonstrated expertise in conflict resolution, mediation, and due process, including navigating emotionally charged or legally sensitive situations.
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear, defensible written and verbal decisions and communications in complex cases.
• Experience leading or contributing to graduate student services, student success initiatives, or professional development programming.
• Demonstrated commitment to fair and consistent policy application across diverse student populations.

Skills

• Strategic leadership and policy authority.
• Ability to manage complex, sensitive, and high-stakes cases.
• Expertise in conflict resolution, mediation, and due process.
• Clear, defensible written and verbal communication.
• Experience with academic policy interpretation, student appeals, and grievance processes.
• Leadership or contribution to graduate student services, student success initiatives, or professional development programming.

Benefits

Competitive total rewards package including: Paid time off, sick leave, and holidays; Excellent health insurance including medical, dental and vision; Comprehensive retirement plans and voluntary benefits programs; No state income tax; Tuition discounts at Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) schools; Tuition discounts for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents; Employee recognition and appreciation programs; Wellness programming for all UNLV faculty and staff at no cost; Opportunity for career advancements to leadership roles; Comprehensive onboarding program, Rebels: Onboard; Support and resources available for veteran applicants; Personal and professional development opportunities.

Pay

Salary competitive with those at similarly situated institutions.

Schedule

Full-time equivalent 100.0%.

Contact Information

To apply, submit a letter of interest, a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) listing qualifications and experience, and the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted. References will not be contacted until the search chair notifies you in advance. Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based. Materials should be addressed to the Search Committee Chair. Applications must be submitted electronically through Workday. Please note that emailed materials will not be accepted. Veterans are encouraged to apply. UNLV values the skills of those who have served. Learn more at Veterans Webpage or contact vetjobseekers@unlv.edu for support.

Special Instructions for Internal NSHE Candidates

UNLV employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) MUST use the “Find Jobs” process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at UNLV and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Find Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate this specific job posting by typing the job requisition number, “R0151115” in the search box. If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

Profile of the University

Founded in 1957, UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution comprised of approximately 30,000 students and more than 3,600 faculty and staff. To date, UNLV has conferred more than 152,000 degrees, producing more than 130,000 alumni around the world. UNLV is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as an R1 research university with very high research activity, and is a recipient of the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement. The university is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region's diversifying population and workforce, driving economic activity through increased research and community partnerships, and creating an academic health center for Southern Nevada that includes the launch of a new UNLV School of Medicine. UNLV is located on a 332-acre main campus and two satellite campuses in Southern Nevada.

EEO/AA Statement

The University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV) is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). Discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including unlawful harassment, which is a form of discrimination, is illegal under federal and state law. Where unlawful discrimination is found to have occurred, UNLV will act to stop the unlawful discrimination, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, and to discipline those responsible. Women, minorities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Title IX Statement

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates. Non-discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106). The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: Michelle Sposito, J.D., Title IX Coordinator, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Mail Stop 1062, Las Vegas, NV 89154-1062, Campus Services Building (CSB) Room 246, Telephone: (702) 895-4055; Email: titleixcoordinator@unlv.edu, or to The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100; Telephone: 1-800-421-3481 FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 1-800-877-8339; Email: OCR@ed.gov; or to both.

Safety and Security Statement

UNLV is committed to assisting all members of the UNLV community in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report compliance document is available online.