Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & Student Services

Associate Dean For Academic Affairs And Student Services

The College of Social Work and Criminal Justice (CSWCJ) at Florida Atlantic University is seeking an established educator, scholar, and leader to join our faculty and administrative team. The Associate Dean shall be appointed by the Dean of the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice with consultation from the faculty of the college. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Services is a member of the Dean's Executive Team as well as a member of the School of Criminology & Criminal Justice faculty or the Sandler School of Social Work faculty. The Associate Dean fosters academic excellence within the college, which encompasses two large schools, multiple programs, centers, institutes, and delivery formats. The responsibilities for the Associate Dean fall within four main categories : 1) academic program leadership and collaboration, 2) academic integrity and growth, 3) advising services, and 4) student affairs. The position is a full-time, 12-month appointment that begins July 1, 2026, though a start date of June 15, 2026, is preferred.

The Associate Dean will oversee academic and curricular initiatives, including supervisory responsibilities for the Advising Services team, and will work as a collaborative partner with the directors, faculty, and staff of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work. Central to this leadership role is the ability to :

• interpret and administer academic policies and procedures
• coordinate efforts to ensure meeting targets of key performance metrics
• provide oversight of the college Academic Advising unit
• manage personnel matters and disputes
• support the development and implementation of innovative courses and curricula / programs
• manage academic program evaluation and program assessment / renewal / accreditation activities
• effectively utilize management platforms (e.g., Interfolio, Workday)
• support faculty / instructors through the promotion and tenure processes
• ensure adherence to accreditation and professional standards for programs / students

Guided by the CSWCJ Strategic Plan, additional areas of leadership desired include cultivating a culture of transparency, belonging and care; engaging in research innovation and synergy by bringing multidisciplinary teams together; strengthening our robust focus on students' academic success (recruitment, retention, and recognition of excellence) and job readiness; and elevating our community engagement and philanthropy portfolios.

Florida Atlantic University serves more than 32,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. FAU is ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report and an R1 : Very High Research Spending and Doctoral Production institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

In the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, we inspire and prepare criminal justice and social work leaders, scholars, practitioners, clinicians, and policymakers to enact positive change. Our distinguished faculty integrate theory with community-centered, evidence-based practice. In doing so, they collaborate with our staff to help develop ethical and innovative professionals who analyze, implement, and evaluate criminal justice and social welfare policies, practices, and technologies; provide direct services to populations in need; and promote wellness and well-being for individuals, families, and communities in South Florida and beyond.

Minimum qualifications for the position include a doctoral degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Social Work, or a related field / discipline; a strong record of teaching and research in the discipline commensurate with the rank of Associate or Full Professor; experience in academic administration and / or leadership in higher education; and demonstrated experience and commitment to working in and fostering a cohesive and productive faculty, staff, and student environment. Areas of specialization are open. We are seeking a colleague with strong leadership skills integrated with the ability to work collaboratively, create positive change through a dynamic team-building approach, and contribute to a prosperous faculty, staff, and student environment. Preferred qualifications include prior experience with academic assessments, students' academic outcomes, and professional program development; knowledge of performance metrics and strategies to meet academic KPI targets; and a strong record of proposal development and implementation of external funding for research, and educational activities. Applicants should be prepared to explain how their leadership skills, teaching and research align with FAU's strategic plan and bolster the CSWCJ Strategic Plan.