Director of Student Academic Affairs and Associate Dean - College of Arts & Sciences

Position Summary

Scheduled

Hours:

37.5. The College of Arts & Sciences seeks a versatile leader to direct and oversee the development, implementation, and management of Student Academic Affairs (SAA) functions within the College Office. The role reports to the Vice Dean of Undergraduate Affairs and manages a team of 26 FTE staff across five functional areas: four‑year advising and the first‑year experience; student progress and academic success;

academic policies and administration; post‑graduate and pre‑professional planning; and pre‑health advising and programs.

The Director of Student Academic Affairs and Associate Dean will translate strategic liberal arts and sciences priorities—such as “Literacies for Life and Career”—into SAA initiatives, support students from diverse backgrounds, and serve as the principal liaison with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to develop the College’s undergraduate admissions strategy.

Key collaboration partners include the Dean of Arts & Sciences, academic units, and campus partners such as the Learning Center, Student Financial Services, and the Division of Student Affairs.

• Lead the development and oversight of SAA activities and personnel.
• Direct the development, planning, execution, and oversight of programs and events in all five functional areas within SAA (including four‑year and post‑graduate advising, academic success, and academic and curricular policy).
• Lead, mentor, and coach the senior assistant deans of the five functional areas in their development as supervisors.
• Identify ongoing opportunities to develop specific management and leadership skills.
• Facilitate collaboration among senior assistant deans in cross‑functional projects and programs.
• Oversee, coordinate, support, and provide direction to the senior assistant deans in all collaborative and collective work.
• Ensure alignment of SAA programs and initiatives with strategic priorities within Arts & Sciences and the university at large.
• Lead the assessment of programs within the SAA functional areas and recommend improvements based on program goals.
• Serve as the chief program officer responsible for recruitment, hiring, supervision, professional development, and general management of all SAA personnel.
• Represent the College of Arts & Sciences with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and other mission‑critical stakeholders.
• Partner with the Vice Dean to develop and implement the College’s undergraduate recruitment strategy.
• Develop and participate in recruitment and presentation sessions; train SAA personnel to give presentations to prospective students; manage the relationship with faculty participating in recruitment efforts.
• Collaborate with the Arts & Sciences Communications team on marketing and communications initiatives.
• Liaise with Arts & Sciences departments and programs to support a holistic student academic experience, including integration of four‑year advising with major advising.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for families of prospective and currently enrolled students.
• Participate in university committees and task forces.
• Serve on the senior leadership team of the Vice Dean of Undergraduate Affairs and collaborate on strategic growth initiatives.
• Support alumni engagement strategy related to SAA programs and events.
• Work with the Director of Finance and Operations to set financial goals for SAA programs.
• Serve as a four‑year advisor; advise approximately 15 undergraduate students in each class.
• Perform other duties as assigned and support the College Office with additional programming and mission‑critical priorities.

• Bachelor’s degree with ten years of experience in an educational or academic setting (or Master’s degree with seven years, or PhD with four years).
• Ten years experience in an academic environment.
• No specific certification or professional license required.
• Driver’s license is not required for this position.

• Doctoral degree.
• Background in leadership in school and university‑wide initiatives; experience in a university liberal arts and sciences setting.
• Business Management, Communication,…