Assistant Dean, Community Connection and Belonging

POSITION SPECIFICS

Assistant Dean for Community Connection and Belonging – full‑time, 44‑week administrative position in the College of the Liberal Arts, reporting directly to the Dean.

• Serve as Chair of the College’s Committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Transformation (CoDIT) and lead strategic initiatives that cultivate a culture of belonging.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with broad and inclusive groups, student organizations, campus partners in student services, and community stakeholders to support student retention, success, and career readiness.
• Partner with the Liberal Arts recruitment coordinator and other college partners to attract a broad and inclusive pool of undergraduate and graduate students; develop programs that affirm student belonging, promote cross‑cultural understanding, and empower student leadership.
• Administer the 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 student population; work with academic departmental and program‑level committees to advance equity and inclusion goals.
• Represent 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.
• Identify and facilitate access to resources and programs that enhance students’ sense of belonging and engagement; monitor trends and best practices in inclusion and belonging; partner with the College’s Alumni Relations and Development unit on fundraising initiatives related to inclusion and belonging.

• Master’s degree or higher;
  Ph.D. or equivalent strongly preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in higher education or a similarly complex organization.
• 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 and lead strategic initiatives; align work priorities with leadership; record of progressive career development.
• Solution‑oriented problem‑solving profile.
• Preferred: background in humanities or social sciences; demonstrated project‑management skills.
• Faculty credentials or qualifications are a plus; individuals with faculty credentials will be appointed with a faculty affiliation.

Penn State offers a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; robust retirement plans; and a generous 75% tuition discount available to employees, as well as eligible spouses and children.

• PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check required.
• Credit history check required due to financial responsibilities.

Penn State is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814‑865‑1473.