Dean of Students

Key Responsibilities Include

In collaboration with the Director fo Orientation and Transition Programs, the FY dean is responsible for:

• Design, implement, and assess initiatives that support the academic and social transition of first-year students, including orientation programs, community-building events, and partnerships with campus offices.

• Develop proactive outreach strategies to foster student belonging, engagement, and persistence through the first year, with attention to diverse student experiences and needs.

• Serve as a central connector among academic departments, student support offices, and faculty to align first-year initiatives with institutional goals for student success.

• Collect and analyze data on first-year student experiences and outcomes to inform decision-making, improve programs, and contribute to institutional reports and planning.

• Advises first-year students, individually and as a class, about making the transition to college-level academics, understanding the Wellesley curriculum and degree requirements, and utilizing campus resources in pursuit of their academic goals.

• Works with the Provost Office to inform the FY Advisors of current policies and ensures that students are connecting with their FY Advisors.

• Provides training and support to Faculty FY advisors

• Is a key member of the New Student Orientation Core Team and supervises and supports the Director of Orientation and Transition Programs in designing and implementing New Student Orientation.

• Assists in the interviewing, onboarding, and supervision of the Orientation Coordinators and Orientation Mentors

• Oversees all academic pieces of new student orientation, including the Entering Student Checklist

• Assists the Director of Orientation and Transition Programs in whatever manner is needed for the smooth planning and implementation of New Student Orientation

• Works with campus partners such as the Office of Student Success, Cultural Houses, Slater International, and Career Education year-round to assist in the onboarding and advising of first-year students.

• Collects and maintains data related to first-year student retention and uses the data to inform best practices in advising.

• Serves on the College’s Retention Committee

• With the assistance of LTS, manage the creation and implementation of the Entering Student Checklist for first-year, transfer, and exchange students.

• Provide academic advising and transition support to a class of 600+ first-year students on such issues as selecting courses, utilizing campus resources to support academic progress, degree requirements, and learning to navigate the College environment.

• Along with other Class Deans, counsel students in academic difficulty, work as a liaison between individual students and faculty, and interpret academic legislation.

• Assist in the annual process of planning and implementing New Student Orientation, which involves development of a theme and logo, providing co-leadership to the Orientation planning committee, engagement of faculty and other campus partners, recruitment of student Orientation coordinators, and providing direction for the production of Orientation publications and materials.

• Supervise the Director of Orientation and Transition Programs in the development and coordination of the Orientation Mentor Program, recruitment and supervision of Student Orientation Coordinators, and other initiatives to support new students in their transition to the College.

• In conjunction with the Associate Dean of Students for Academic Integration and Advising and the Dean of Faculty, help to coordinate, assess and support faculty advising for first-year students.

• Serve on key College-wide committees, including, but not limited to the Academic Review Board, Admission and Financial Aid, and other committees as assigned by the Associate Dean of Students for Academic Integration and Advising.

• Dir…