Dean of Students

About the Opportunity

The Dean of Students at Pacific University will report to the Vice President of Student Affairs and Chief, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer.  The Dean of Students promotes the values of learning and knows how to build a community, committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, wellness, and resilience. They will be expected to be a visible campus leader in advancing student development, as well as the well-being of undergraduate and graduate/professional students.

The Dean of Students should be perceived by the students as a leader, an advocate, and as an effective spokesperson on their behalf by ensuring that student interests are considered at all levels of decision-making. As such, this position will work closely with students, staff, faculty, academic directors, deans and other stakeholders across the university, to develop, implement, and assess a range of student-centered services.

Job Scope

Performs the position duties as directed by the VP of Student Affairs and the Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer. They will be expected to be as comfortable working independently as they would be leading a team and will be expected to serve as the designee of the VP for Student Affairs as well. This position will be expected to develop key collaborative relationships with students, faculty, staff, campus administrative areas, and campus and community leaders to enhance planning and implementing strategic initiatives, resolving issues, and responding to crisis incidents.  They will also be expected to create a clear vision based on assessment data for Student Affairs to the University at large as well.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

• Represents Vice President of Student Affairs and Chief, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, as their designee, when required.
• In collaboration with key stakeholders: creates a clear vision for Student Affairs to support the overall mission of Pacific University, and communicates this clear vision to the university community.
• The Dean of Students will serve as a member of the Student Affairs Leads Team, Academic Standards Committee, the Pacific Undergraduate Community Council, the Professional Programs Council, and other standing and ad hoc committees/task forces, as assigned.
• Facilitates regular meetings with the Student Affairs staff, with the specific aim of increasing collaboration and innovative programming partnerships within the area and across campus.
• Maintains an understanding of innovative ideas, trends, research, technology, and best practices pertaining to student development theory and application.
• Directs and manages aspects of Student Life; establishes strategic goals and objectives and organizational structures and activities.
• Keeps the Vice President of Student Affairs and Chief, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer informed on matters of significance to the University, pertaining to the quality of the student experience.

Student Success & Retention

• Collaborates regularly with the Vice Presidents and College Deans and Directors to develop a comprehensive approach to improve, support, and retention of undergraduate and graduate/professional students, via gathering assessment data.
• Leads the Student Success and Retention Committee and serves as a member of the CARE Team.
• Clear understanding and knowledge of Student Development theories and pedagogy, to work in partnership with Academic and Student Affairs to provide student best practices for retention purposes.
• Consults with the Director of Institutional Research and Assessment and other pertinent faculty and staff members to recommend a comprehensive approach to the assessment of services to graduate and undergraduate students provided by Student Affairs.

Compliance

• Work in partnership with the Human Resources, legal affairs and the Title IX team to address students: Title IX situations.
• Supervises and monitors the student university judicial system, providing leadership in the development and review of policies and procedures, and works to ensure that students are afforded due process.
• Provides leadership in the development, administration of policies and procedures, including FERPA and HIPAA.
• Works in collaboration with the Directors of the Student Counseling Center and the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation, and the University Accreditation team.
• Consults and works in partnership with undergraduate and graduate academic Deans and Directors to provide leadership in the development, implementation of student handbooks and other related policies.
• Works and leads the revision and assessment of Pacific University Student Code of Conduct.
• Administers the bias and hate incident reporting system
• Works in partnership with stakeholders in the emergency management plans
• Adhere to employee Code of Conduct
• Shares responsibility for response to urgent student incidents with the VP for Student Affairs.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

• Operates and leads with an equity lens to establish a work environment that promotes inclusivity and values intersectionality.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion related to a university setting, including awareness of intercultural trends and issues facing higher education.
• Leads and provides professional development opportunities for professional staff and students.
• Develops and implements a diversity strategic plan for all areas the Dean will supervise.

Budget & Other administrative duties

• Utilizes assessment to provide input and leadership in financial management of the departments.
• Reviews and manages budget accounts; establishes accounting procedures for programming and operating budgets; oversees financial transactions for student organizations; develops systems, policies and procedures to monitor expenditures by student organizations.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY

The Dean provides direct leadership, supervision and management of a team of Student Affairs.  These units include: Residence Life/Student Conduct; Housing & Dining Services; Office of Orientation, Transfer, Veterans & Greek Services; Student Activities; and Student Support.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree required.
• Minimum of five years of experience in student development services/personnel, higher education administration, educational leadership, or in a related field is strongly recommended. 
• Significant experience in program assessment, diversity, retention planning, and/or student leadership is highly desirable.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & BEHAVIORS

• A strong record of success and experience in fostering a collaborative and innovative environment as a supervisor
• A strong record of, including but not limited to, performance evaluation, professional development, and assessment of performance and program effectiveness using Student Affairs best practices as guiding principle.
• Familiarity with educational program evaluation including reviewing the parameters, needs, components, and outcomes of program design to improve student learning and success.   
• Familiar with the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS).
• Ability to exercise discretion and good judgment, maintain confidentiality, navigate ambiguity, and provide leadership in times of crisis or conflict.
• Understanding of best practices in student affairs (e.g., NCORE, NABITA, NASPA, ACPA, NODA, ASCA, and/or AHEAD).
• The Dean must be a person of integrity with values and ethics that naturally command student respect.  He/she/they should be an excellent role model for staff and for the students he/she/they serve. The Dean must be committed to the ideals for which the University stands.
• Ability to exercise discretion and good judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to effectively work with students, faculty, staff, and alumni in a collegial manner.
• The Dean should be driven by a passion for higher education and student affairs.
• Ability to inspire others to perform at their best, and to set high standards of performance for self and staff.
• Knows how to collaborate and value intersectionality when leading initiatives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, presentation software (like PowerPoint, Keynote, etc.), spreadsheet (Excel, Google spreadsheets, etc), relational databases (PeopleSoft, Colleague, etc), and communication and collaboration tools (Slack, Zoom, etc.)

For full consideration applications must be received by April 19^th. Review of applications will begin immediately. 

APPLY THROUGH PACIFIC UNIVERSITY'S CAREER PAGE.

We are dedicated to providing services that are authentic, holistic, equity minded, and responsive. Pacific University continues to develop our equity practices with a particular focus on racial equity.

Studies have shown that candidates that are female and/or BIPOC are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications they find in the job description. We are seeking the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be a person who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every minimum qualification described or are unsure if your experience could be considered related experience.

DISCOVER PACIFIC UNIVERSITY

Pacific University is a small, but diverse learning community, where students thrive in a personal academic environment. Tracing its roots to 1849, when it was chartered as a school for orphans of the Oregon Trail, Pacific has long been devoted to making a difference in the world. Today, students study in a unique combination of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in the liberal arts and sciences, business, education, health professions and optometry. Located in Oregon, Pacific serves a diverse population of more than 3,900 students, with campuses in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Eugene and Woodburn. At Pacific University, students and faculty develop close, nurturing relationships that provide an extraordinary educational experience.

Today, students study in a unique combination of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in the liberal arts and sciences, optometry, education, health professions and business.  Pacific University has campuses in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Eugene and Woodburn, Ore., as well as an office in Honolulu.  In addition, a variety of Pacific University health and eye clinics throughout the Portland area serve patients and provide students with practical experience.

At Pacific University, students and faculty engage in discovery through close, nurturing relationships that provide extraordinary learning experiences.  International study, service learning, internships and co-curricular activities have been integral parts of the education of nearly 28,000 alumni worldwide who share in the Boxer spirit.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

It is the policy of Pacific University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military, veteran or Vietnam Era status, or any other protected classification recognized by applicable law, in admission, access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or any other applicable state or federal law, or city ordinance. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, [email protected].