Academic Dean, Trinity College

Duke Careers; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University in Durham, NC seeks an Academic Dean to oversee undergraduate education within Trinity College. You will interpret policies, monitor progress toward graduation, and provide guidance to students in collaboration with campus partners.

The role emphasizes governance, policy oversight, and confidential support, spanning matriculation to graduation, with leadership across academic affairs and advising practices.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent required.
• Minimum five years of experience in academic administration or related setting.
• Familiarity with FERPA, HIPAA, or other confidentiality regulations.

Responsibilities

• Monitor undergrad students' progress toward graduation and advise on standing, leaves, and re-entry.
• Interpret and apply academic policies to students, faculty, and parents.
• Coordinate with campus offices to provide coordinated support for student wellbeing.
• Collaborate with other deans to ensure consistent policy interpretation and governance.

Skills

Academic policies

Program development

Student advising

Confidentiality

Interpersonal skills

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent

Tools

Student systems

Job description

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Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As theAcademic Deanin the Trinity College Undergraduate Education Office, you’ll be a vital part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team.

You’ll work to interpret and uphold academic policies while monitoring students’ progress towards graduation.

Be Bold.

The Academic Dean is more than a technical role — it collaborates with campus partners to provide guidance and support from matriculation through graduation.

What You’ll Do:

1. Academic Progress Monitoring

• Monitor undergraduate students’ academic progress and ensure completion of graduation requirements.
• Advise students on academic standing, time away, leaves, and re-entry.
• Provide individualized support to students experiencing academic or personal challenges.
• Maintain detailed records of student cases, advising interactions, and academic exceptions.

2. Policy Interpretation and Application

• Publish, administer, and interpret academic policies for students, faculty, and parents.
• Review and document all requests for exceptions to academic policies.
• Apply policies consistently and equitably while balancing individual student needs.
• Serve as a trusted and confidential resource for sensitive academic matters.

3. Campus Partner Collaboration and Communication

• Coordinate with campus offices including CAPS, Duke Reach, Student Disability Access Office, Time Away, Student Health, Duke Visa Services, Student Conduct, Career Services, and Athletics.
• Communicate regularly with faculty and administrators regarding academic affairs and student wellbeing.
• Act as a liaison between students and university systems to ensure coordinated support.

4. Academic Policy Oversight and Governance

• Collaborate with other academic deans to ensure consistent interpretation of policies across Trinity College.
• Identify patterns or policy concerns and bring forward proposals for policy revisions or updates to the Lead Dean for consideration by Arts & Sciences Council.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of academic policies and advising practices.

Choose Duke.

What You Bring:

Education:

Ph.D. or equivalent

Experience:

Work requires a minimum of five years of experience in academic administration or a related setting to become familiar with academic policies, programs and regulations necessary to coordinate related services and activities.

Familiarity with FERPA, HIPAA, or other relevant confidentiality regulations (if applicable).

Skills:

• Familiarity with academic policies, programs, and regulations necessary to coordinate related services and activities, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in program development, teaching, mentoring and research.
• Experience working with a diverse population of undergraduate students.
• Successful track record of establishing credibility and trust.
• Attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines, respond quickly to students and other constituencies.
• Must be consistently accessible and available to students during regular business hours.
• Fluency with common software applications including databases, word processing, presentation, student information systems and cloud-based computing Strong interpersonal skills and professional demeanor, including the ability to build trust and maintain confidentiality in complex, high-stakes environments.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with integrity and discretion.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Nearest Major Market:

Durham

Nearest Secondary Market:

Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.