Dean of Students

Position Title : Dean of Students

Department : Student Success & Engagement (SSE)

Reports To : Associate Vice President for SSE

Position Summary

The Dean of Students provides visionary leadership and strategic direction to the Dean of Students Office (DSO), overseeing Student Conduct, Residence Life, the Wellness Center, Student Care & Retention, and the Assessment & Care Team.

In this role, the Dean interprets policies, implements procedures, ensures program compliance, and supports and evaluates all areas under their supervision.

Additionally, the Dean serves as a Deputy Title IX Coordinator.

This position advocates for a student-centered institutional focus, fostering a culture of excellence and a commitment to quality service within the DSO.

The Dean ensures that student voices are heard in institutional decision-making and shared governance. By meeting with student groups and leaders, responding to student crises and concerns, and mobilizing campus resources during emergencies, the Dean plays a crucial role in supporting student well-being and learning.

The Dean also maintains a visible presence at campus activities and programs, mediates conflicts to promote positive outcomes, and guides divisional directors and staff.

They are responsible for facilitating assessment, program review, quality improvement, and the adoption of data-driven strategies and new technologies.

In managing budgets, personnel, and other resources, the Dean demonstrates effective stewardship and ensures compliance with relevant laws, policies, and regulations.

The Dean will be a key leader in shaping the Student Success and Engagement (SSE) division's strategic direction, anchored in a student-ready system design framework that reflects the entire student experience.

This position contributes to the success of the University’s Strategic Plan by upholding Dominican University's commitment to an inclusive, student-ready environment that delivers personalized and culturally relevant learning experiences, grounded in equitable practices, and supports educational attainment for every student.

Duties / Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Partnerships (40%) :

• Demonstrate and embody Dominican University’s core values within the division and across the University, fostering a culture of integrity and collaboration.
• Stay well-informed about University policies, procedures, and federal and state regulations, including but not limited to Title IX, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Clery Act, and FERPA.

Ensure the division complies with these standards through effective internal controls, monitoring mechanisms, and regular staff training.

• Establish strategic goals and strategies that support student development in the context of higher education and provide support and oversight for the development and other assessment initiatives within each managed department aligned with divisional goals and budget priorities.
• Develop and implement strategic goals that support student development within the context of a Catholic Hispanic Serving Institution.

Oversee assessment initiatives within each department, ensuring alignment with divisional goals and budget priorities.

• Lead efforts to retain and support low-income, first-generation, historically ignored students in collaboration with the Student Care Network Team, providing the necessary resources for their success.
• Oversee the approval of contractual services within the Dean of Students Office, coordinating with the Division of Student Success & Engagement, the Business Office, the Office of People and Culture, Facilities, and other departments as necessary.
• Exercise discretion and sound judgment in all professional activities, maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information, avoiding conflicts of interest, and promptly addressing any arising issues.
• Actively engage in shared governance by serving on institutional councils, commissions, and committees. Encourage and support employee participation in these bodies to advance the University’s mission.
• Oversee institutional initiatives aimed at addressing social and structural determinants of health that may hinder student degree completion, and connect students with community-based social services.
• Partner with Enrollment Management and the Director of Residence Life to market the residential experience to prospective students.

Implement strategies to maximize residence hall occupancy, support three-year occupancy forecasts, and provide detailed reports on housing metrics.

Ensure the implementation of programs within residence halls that promote student involvement, leadership development, and a vibrant campus life.

Oversee summer and break housing arrangements and act as the liaison for summer housing rentals.

• Ensure coordination between Residence Life and the Wellness Center to implement preventative health and wellness support plans for students.
• Lead the review, creation, and interpretation of student policies and procedures with a focus on equity and inclusivity.
• Evaluate student learning within living-learning communities, assess the impact on retention, and enhance the overall residential experience at Dominican University.
• Work closely with faculty to develop student-centered academic support programs, address academic concerns, and implement intervention strategies for students.

Foster partnerships that create an inclusive academic environment and integrate academic learning with student life experiences.

Crisis Management (30%) :

• Serve as the Administrative Oversight of the Assessment & Care Team (ACT) and represent the University at national, state, and local meetings and professional associations.
• Develop and implement comprehensive crisis response plans to ensure the safety and well-being of the campus community. Conduct threat assessments and manage potentially dangerous situations, coordinating with law enforcement as needed.
• Provide training on crisis response procedures, threat awareness, and emergency preparedness to enhance campus safety and security.
• Lead coordination of student-related crisis management efforts in collaboration with Campus Safety and Security, including participation in a 24 / 7 on-call duty rotation.
• Respond to emergencies, resolve resident concerns, and manage the safety and experience of residential students in partnership with Campus Safety.

Management and Supervision (20%) :

Foster positive employee relations throughout the division, ensuring regular feedback, recognition, and, when necessary, progressive discipline.

Support the growth and development of personnel through professional development opportunities and timely performance evaluations.

• Ensure clear and consistent communication within the division, collaborating with university partners to resolve student issues and grievances effectively.
• Provide oversight for the Residence Life team, serving as the campus-wide lead for student conduct and collaborating on the review of student conduct cases for Title IX violations.
• Support the Title IX Coordinator by managing assigned cases, implementing new regulations, and training students.

Budgetary (10%) :

• Develop, monitor, and analyze the Dean of Students Office budgets to ensure fiscal responsibility. Oversee expense processing, procurement, and accurate payroll and attendance records, ensuring proper internal controls.
• Pursue appropriate grant opportunities to support programs within the division, enhancing resources and services available to students.

Required Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Familiar with university policies, procedures, and practices, including FERPA. Able to apply these guidelines effectively and use common sense to follow instructions, whether written, oral, or in diagram form.

Capable of performing essential functions safely and adhering to relevant safety regulations.

Skilled in interpreting instructional policies and procedures, answering work-related questions, and addressing issues.

Experienced in working with diverse populations and managing large crowds.

• Proficient in crisis management protocols, relevant laws, and best practices related to threat assessment and emergency preparedness in higher education.
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills, particularly in high-pressure situations. Able to prioritize effectively, remain calm, and communicate clearly with stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent public speaking, presentation, and written communication skills. Able to engage tactfully and courteously with students, employees, faculty, and the public.

Skilled in managing interpersonal conflicts with diplomacy and discretion.

Proven ability to make evidence-based decisions using relevant data.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, student personnel services, or a related field.
• At least seven years in Student Affairs administration or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of five years supervising professional and student staff to achieve student success.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in at least three of the following : Student Conduct, Title IX, Student Care Outreach, Behavioral Intervention, Student Health and Wellness, Residence Life.
• In-depth understanding of student development theory and current trends in student affairs.
• Familiar with best practices in student services assessment and using results to enhance service delivery.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience implementing student success initiatives in a university setting
• Knowledge and / or experience in judicial affairs / student conduct.
• Proficient in coordinating programs with other departments and cultivating relationships with students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
• Computer literacy, budget preparation knowledge, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Physical Demands

• Able to work in a classroom or office setting, with the ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
• Capable of spending long durations at a desk, working on a computer.
• Occasionally able to stoop, bend, kneel, and lift up to 15 pounds.
• Proficient in operating office equipment and effectively communicating.

Salary and FLSA Status

• Salary : $80,000 - $90,000 annually
• FLSA Status : Exempt 37.5 hours

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer matching contributions
• Professional development opportunities
• Tuition remission for employees and their dependents
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
• Generous paid time off (PTO)

Employment at Dominican University is contingent upon the successful completion of a background investigation.

About Dominican University

Dominican University is a Catholic, comprehensive teaching university located in River Forest, a suburb of Chicago, with an additional campus in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago.

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Dominican University offers associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

It is highly regarded for its academic rigor, thoughtful accompaniment of students, intentional affordability, and values-based, relationship-centered learning environment.

Dominican currently enrolls over 3,300 students, including 2,280 undergraduates and 1,027 graduate students. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of undergraduate students identify as Latinx, 5% as Black or African American, and 3% as Asian.

Under-represented minority students comprise 77% of the undergraduate enrollment and 38% of the graduate enrollment. Over 90 percent of undergraduates receive some form of financial aid.

Nearly half of all undergraduates are first-generation college students; over half are federal Pell Grant recipients, illustrating their families’ level of income;

and 58% are eligible for low-income MAP grants from the State of Illinois.

Recognized since 2011 as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education, Dominican is committed to expanding and enhancing educational opportunities for Latinx students and all students from historically underrepresented groups.

For more information, visit www.dom.edu.

Expectations for all Dominican Employees :

To support the University's mission of preparing students to pursue truth, give compassionate service, and participate in the creation of a more just and humane world, engage in university service work that promotes collaboration and community building.

This includes participating in organizational initiatives, supporting campus events, contributing to community outreach, and fostering a diverse and inclusive environment through involvement in various staff-driven activities and groups.

Institutional Statement

Dominican University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Dominican University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans.