Dean of Strategic Outreach

Dean of Strategic Outreach

Department:
Strategic Outreach

Location:

Grand Rapids, MI

The Dean of Strategic Outreach furthers Grand Rapids Community College's mission through visionary leadership and the development of innovative outreach initiatives supporting college access, readiness, and enrollment goals. The Dean focuses on emerging trends and opportunities within the communities we serve, identifies new sources of enrollment growth, as well as enhances and expands programming and internal and external partnerships. The Dean also provides leadership and general oversight of student-facing community outreach and engagement activities, enrollment and recruitment, educational partnerships and regional sites, and college readiness initiatives.

The Dean creates and sustains a working environment that supports GRCC's vision and values, demonstrating a spirit of collaboration, innovation, access, and inclusion. The Dean is a strategic leader with a deep understanding of and experience with higher education and the vital role it plays in the academic, personal, and civic development of a student. The Dean works in cooperation with College leadership to create and sustain initiatives beneficial to students and the community.

The Dean reports to the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and serves as an active member of multiple leadership teams on campus.

Requisition : 1088
Position Number:
Employee Group: PMA
Schedule: 40 hours/52 weeks
Compensation: Grade AS1; $104,078 per year
Benefits: Full-time
Reports to: Associate Provost of Student Affairs
Posting Opens: 3/11/2026
Posting Closes: Open until filled

Provide vision and direction for strategic outreach growth for all populations of GRCC students

Work cooperatively with the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and the Dean of Students to implement and continuously assess GRCC's strategic enrollment and retention management plan and related strategies and initiatives

Focus on key initiatives with the most potential to impact new enrollment at GRCC

Work within the community to identify and address college-readiness needs to support post-secondary pursuits s includes coordination with the Grand Rapids Learning Center and Kent Intermediate School District Adult Education (located at GRCC's Sneden Hall).

Collaborate with the Deans and other leaders in Academic and Student Affairs to prioritize, develop, and implement outreach initiatives in support of all GRCC campuses

Work collaboratively with other Academic and Student Affairs leaders to complement or enhance planned outreach efforts

Actively participate in the community.

Maintain and build relationships with community leaders, education partners, elected officials, and the business community

Collect, review, and analyze data relevant to enrollment activity, community demographics, and other trends relevant to outreach efforts

Support current early/middle college, dual, and concurrent enrollment partnerships and identify opportunities for expansion or enhancement

Provide leadership for regional sites and identify opportunities to expand and enrich programs in collaboration with Academic and Student Affairs leaders

Provide leadership related to college readiness and orientation programming innovation and expansion

Collaboratively plan and oversee participation in student-facing community outreach and engagement events, including youth conferences and summer festivals in coordination with internal and external partners

Administer grant opportunities to support outreach initiatives and college readiness

Support, supervise, and evaluate direct reports.

Convene regular meetings, establish work expectations, and complete annual performance evaluations

Aligned with expectations established by the Provost, set standards for hiring new staff and regularly review the hiring processes to maximize transparency, inclusion, efficiency, and effectiveness

Allocate resources and other systemic supports to promote professional development for staff

Participate in College-wide planning as appropriate, including but not limited to strategic leadership, strategic enrollment and retention management, budget development, emergency response, and facility master planning

Provide local leadership to develop and promote K-12 and transfer initiatives with education partners

Actively participate in and retain membership in statewide and national organizations and activities that foster the maintenance and improvement of college access, readiness, and other…