Dean of Student Affairs

Saint Elizabeth University (SEU), located in Morris County, New Jersey, offers convenient access to major highways including Routes 287, 280, 80, 10, and 24, as well as the nearby Convent Station train station. Established in 1899 by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, the University is situated on 150 scenic acres of rolling hills and wooded landscapes. Rooted in the Catholic liberal arts tradition, SEU provides a high-quality education that serves students of diverse ages, backgrounds, and cultures, fostering both academic excellence and personal growth.

About the Role

The Dean of Student Affairs reports to the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs and serves as a student advocate, collaborating with other departments to enhance student engagement, development, success, persistence, and graduation. This position oversees critical areas of the student experience, including: Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), health and counseling services, student engagement, residence life, student conduct, and regulatory/judicial matters. In collaboration with the AVP and other campus leaders, the Dean of Student Affairs is responsible for developing, implementing, and assessing a holistic, mission-informed co-curricular student experience for residential and commuter students, and across all degree levels. This position plays an integral role in ensuring a smooth journey from enrollment to graduation.

Responsibilities

• Managing departments within Student Affairs, guiding a team of professionals in overseeing a wide array of matters involving housing, student engagement, and wellness.
• Supervising the Director of Residence Life, whose responsibility is to oversee student housing and residential life to create a safe, structured, and nurturing environment for both academic and social development.
• Supervising the Director of Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), whose responsibility is to provide leadership for student recruitment, retention, academic success, compliance, and staff supervision. In addition to cross-campus collaboration to ensure access and successful outcomes for educationally and economically disadvantaged students.
• Supervising the Director of Student Engagement, whose responsibility is to create and oversee student programming, including clubs, activities, and student leadership opportunities, and budgets pertaining to those programs.
• Supervising the Wellness Team, whose responsibility is to provide services related to physical, mental, and emotional health, while following campus emergencies and safety protocols.
• Managing student conduct matters, providing guidance and expertise on student rights and responsibilities, the student disciplinary process, and alternative dispute resolution.
• Providing strategic advice to senior leadership regarding student needs and perspectives.
• Assisting with Orientation, Commencement, and all major school activities.
• Providing advice, support, and communication as needed to students in the wake of personal tragedies, major events, and emergencies.
• Communicating with the student body on a regular basis and in response to unexpected situations.
• Providing support as needed to student-facing faculty committees, such as those pertaining to disability, diversity, academic standards, and others.
• Serving as the chief advocate for student needs and concerns.
• Providing forward-looking leadership to direct reports.
• Acting as chief advisor to the AVP on matters directly related to student affairs.
• Overseeing and assessing co- and extra-curricular activities, programs, policies, and services.
• Providing a listening and physical presence, and support for students, amongst all degree levels.
• Managing student crisis situations and assuming responsibility for risk management as it relates to student affairs.
• Guiding the production of the Student Handbook, ensuring the inclusion of new policies or updates.
• Providing support to the AVP as requested.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, student affairs, educational leadership, educational counseling, public administration, or a relevant academic discipline from an accredited university/college.
• A minimum of five years of successful experience in a Student Affairs position in a college or university and a background in progressively higher leadership responsibilities.
• Experience working with first-generation and underrepresented students from a wide range of backgrounds and demonstrated commitment to student success, equity, inclusion, and social justice, which are foundational elements of the mission of the University.
• Skilled experience in developing and implementing a plan and strategy to support, retain, and graduate university students.
• A highly collaborative and student-centered approach.
• Considerable skills in data management, problem-solving, and research.
• Considerable skill in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite, including but not limited to Word, Excel, Access, and Publisher.

Pay

Salary Range: $95,000 - $100,000

Benefits

• Employer-Subsidized Health Care Plan
• Dental and Vision Plan (Paid by employee)
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
• Group Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance (No cost to employee)
• Supplemental Insurance Available for Employee, Spouse, and Dependents (Legal, Identity-Theft, Accident, Critical Care, etc.)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition Remission for Employee, Spouse, and/or Dependents
• Tuition Exchange Program offering Reciprocal Scholarships Nationwide at 600+ Colleges and Universities
• Paid State and Federal holidays, as well as the week before and the week after Christmas off with pay
• Paid Days Off on Fridays in the Summer Months
• Birthday as a Paid Day Off
• Vacation Days
• Sick Days
• Employee Discount Program