Assistant Dean for Advising

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Pennâ™s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Job Profile Title

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Assistant deans in the College of Arts and Sciences provide information and academic advice to College undergraduates.  In addition to the advising duties, assistant deans are assigned specific administrative and record keeping tasks, both on an ad hoc and on an on-going basis that support the Collegeâ™s educational mission.  Also involved is participation, as assigned, in the activities of one or more of the advising working groups. Assistant deans for advising are responsible for knowing and communicating the Collegeâ™s rules and regulations to students, parents, faculty and staff.  They are expected to have a general knowledge of the courses and special academic programs, as well as the Universityâ™s network of undergraduate support services and resources.  They work with the Committee on Undergraduate Academic Standing to enforce and, when appropriate, grant exceptions to rules.  Assistant deans work intensively with first and second year students who have not yet chosen a major, students in academic difficulty, and students who are participating in special academic programs, such as dual degree with another of Pennâ™s undergraduate schools or study abroad. They are responsible for working with complex administrative applications and processes involving web applications, desktop databases (FileMaker Pro), and Excel.

Qualifications:

Education â“ Advanced degree required; PhD in a discipline taught in the College of Arts and Sciences preferred.

Experience and Personal Attributes

• Strong background in and commitment to liberal arts education
• Experience must include teaching and/or advising of traditional college-age students as well as some administrative experience in higher education
• Experience with the design and management of advising communications, both print and web-based, is also desirable
• Ability to relate well to students, faculty, staff and parents required
• Maturity, good sense of humor and the ability to work as part of a team are necessary

Technical Skills

• Good interpersonal communication (oral and written) and organizational skills required
• Comfortable with modern computer operating systems, such as Mac OS or Windows, and strong foundation in basic productivity software such as Microsoft Office, Firefox, email clients, and FileMaker Pro required
• Technical proficiency sufficient to master University systems such as Advisor InTouch and SRS  
• Propensity towards enthusiastically adopting new technologies and an aptitude for envisioning improvements to processes is desired as well

Job Location - City, State

Department / School

Pay Range

Affirmative Action Statement 
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.