Assistant Dean

Buffalo State College; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Buffalo State University is seeking an Assistant Dean for the School of Arts and Sciences to oversee student success and academic standards. The role reports to the Dean of SAS and involves coordinating readmission, the Academic Grievance process, retention initiatives, and participation in recruitment and orientation activities.

The position requires a terminal degree, demonstrated leadership in academic administration, and the ability to work with department chairs and staff to advance campus

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in a discipline represented in the SAS.
• Evidence of teaching, scholarly/creative accomplishments, and service that merits appointment as tenured associate or full professor status.
• Demonstrated leadership and successful experience in academic administration, program coordination, or committee service.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Commitment to fostering and promoting a diverse, inclusive, equitable, and student-centered academic environment.
• Familiarity with university policies, procedures, and governance structures.

Responsibilities

• Support the Dean in implementing the School/University’s strategic plan and academic priorities.
• Oversee specific portfolios such as student success, academic standards, or faculty mentoring.
• Collaborate with department chairs, program directors, and administrative staff to ensure smooth academic operations.
• Lead or participate in committees focused on academic policy, diversity and inclusion, and student success.
• Represent the Dean’s Office at internal and external meetings as needed

Skills

Leadership

Academic administration

Program coordination

Interpersonal communication

Diversity and inclusion

Governance familiarity

Education

Terminal degree (discipline represented in SAS)

Job description

Job Opportunities at Buffalo State University

Buffalo State is one of the largest comprehensive schools in the State University of New York system. As a civically minded, urban-engaged campus community located in the city’s cultural corridor, Buffalo State prides itself as having smaller learning environments coupled with larger university opportunities. Boasting a diverse and inclusive campus, Buffalo State is committed to the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The school’s mission is to deliver a broad array of high-quality and distinctive academic programs infused with diversity, creativity, and hands‑on learning opportunities for hardworking students who seek a personalized and affordable education that engages their minds and advances their careers. Buffalo State is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, service, scholarship, creative activity, and cultural enrichment. With degree programs in education, the arts, science, arts and humanities, and professional studies, each year over 6,000 students choose Buffalo State. Buffalo State welcomes applicants who are committed to helping us fulfill our mission.

The Assistant Dean reports to the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences ( SAS ) and works closely with the Associate Dean and SAS department chairs. The Assistant Dean is responsible for school wide academic standards and student success. The Assistant Dean manages readmission and the Academic Grievance process for the school and processes students forms as appropriate. Student success initiatives and activities will include triaging communication with students, parents, and faculty; promoting the use of the campus Early Alert System; serving on the Care Team and collaborating with the Dean of Students; facilitating retention initiatives and participating in recruitment events and orientation. The Assistant Dean will also serve on other campus committees as assigned, participate in university ceremonies, and coordinate the Arts and Letters B.A. program.
Key Responsibilities

• Support the Dean in implementing the School/University’s strategic plan and academic priorities.
• Oversee specific portfolios such as student success, academic standards, or faculty mentoring.
• Collaborate with department chairs, program directors, and administrative staff to ensure smooth academic operations.
• Lead or participate in committees focused on academic policy, diversity and inclusion, and student success.
• Represent the Dean’s Office at internal and external meetings as needed

This is an internal search limited to Buffalo State University faculty with continuing appointment (tenure) and an academic rank of associate professor or higher.

Required Qualifications

• Current full‑time faculty with a terminal degree in a discipline represented in the School of Arts and Sciences
• Evidence of teaching, scholarly/creative accomplisments, and service that merits appointment as tenured associate or full professor status
• Demonstrated leadership and successful experience in academic administration, program coordination, or committee service
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Commitment to fostering and promoting a diverse, inclusive, equitable, and student‑centered academic environment.
• Familiarity with university policies, procedures, and governance structures.

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution that subscribes to all federal, state, and SUNY legal requirements and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status (Nondiscrimination Notice). Any violation of this policy should be reported to the Equity and Diversity Office, Cleveland Hall 204, (716) 878‑6210. Buffalo State is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Warnes at [e-mail] or call (716) 878‑4822.

Applicants interested in positions may access the Annual Security Report ( ASR ) for SUNY Buffalo State at http://police.buffalostate.edu . The ASR contains information on campus security policies and certain campus crime statistics. Crime statistics are reported in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. Applicants may request a hard copy of the ASR by contacting the SUNY Buffalo State University Police Department at (716) 878‑6333.

New York State Executive Order 161

Pursuant to Executive Order 161 , no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474‑6988 or via email at [e-mail] . Further restrictions on using salary information in the hiring process appear in Labor Law §194‑a .

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• This is an internal search limited to Buffalo State University faculty with continuing appointment (tenure) and an academic rank of associate professor or higher. Are you an associate professor or higher rank with continuing appointment at Buffalo State University?
  • Yes
  • No

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume / Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Names and Contact Information for 3 Professional References

Optional Documents