Assistant Dean, Community Connection and Belonging

Assistant Dean, Community Connection and Belonging page is loaded## Assistant Dean, Community Connection and Belonging locations:
Penn State University Parktime type:
Full time posted on:
Posted 2 Days Agojob requisition #
** APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:*** ## CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please to complete the. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.* ## CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please to complete the Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.* ## If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete .
** Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see .
** This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
** POSITION SPECIFICS
** The College of the Liberal Arts is seeking a visionary
** Assistant Dean for Community Connection and Belonging
** to help design and guide strategic priorities in fostering student connection, inclusion, and belonging; enhancing student success; and educating for democracy, civic engagement, and leadership across the College of the Liberal Arts. Reporting directly to the Dean of the College of the Liberal Arts, and as a key member of the Dean's core leadership team, the Assistant Dean for Community Connection and Belonging will champion student engagement and belonging through comprehensive and equity-driven initiatives.

This is a full-time, 44-week administrative position.

The Assistant Dean for Community Connection and Belonging will serve as Chair of the College's Committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Transformation (CoDIT), leading strategic initiatives that cultivate a culture of belonging. They will be responsible for building and maintaining collaborative relationships with broad and inclusive groups, student organizations, campus partners in student services, and community stakeholders to support student retention and success, and career readiness through inclusive programming and strategic partnerships.

As a key resource across the College, they will partner with the Liberal Arts recruitment coordinator, and other college partners, to attract a broad and inclusive pool of undergraduate and graduate students and develop programs that affirm student belonging, promote cross-cultural understanding, and empower student leadership. This role will administer a Community Connection and Belonging budget and use data insights to inform programming and policy recommendations;

collaborate with the scholarships office to manage funding that supports access and opportunity for our broad and inclusive student population; and work with academic departmental and program-level committees to advance equity and inclusion goals.

Other responsibilities include representing the College in University-wide and external initiatives that foster inclusion and belonging, especially as they relate to student connection, support, success, retention, and career readiness. The Assistant Dean for Community Connection and Belonging will identify and facilitate access to resources and programs that enhance students' sense of belonging and engagement; monitor trends and best practices in relevant areas of inclusion and belonging, and use findings to enhance support services;

and partner with the College's Alumni Relations and Development unit in fundraising initiatives related to inclusion and belonging.

A Master's degree or higher is required, Ph.D. or equivalent is strongly preferred. A minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in higher education or a similarly complex organization is required in addition to excellent verbal and written communication skills; demonstrated success in furthering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives; excellent relationship-building skills; ability to steward multiple priorities, lead strategic initiatives, and align work priorities with leadership;

a record of progressive career development; and a demonstrated profile of solution-oriented problem solving. Preferred qualifications include a background in the humanities or social sciences and demonstrated project management skills. While not required, individuals with faculty credentials/qualifications will be appointed to the position with a faculty affiliation.

Interested candidates must submit an online application at, and should upload the following application materials electronically: a letter of interest, CV or resume, and a list of three references with contact information. Inquiries may be directed to Oksana DeArment, Executive Assistant to the Dean, it our website - for more information on our college.
** BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
** This position…