Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

SU01 Seattle University; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 91,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work eligibility

Tuition assistance (employee + depend)

Generous leave and retirement benefits

Onsite fitness facilities

Job summary

Seattle University is seeking an Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). The role provides strategic leadership to enhance the academic experience for all CAS students, oversees student support services, and drives recruitment, retention, and lifecycle events across admissions to graduation.

The position requires collaboration with CAS faculty, Chairs, and university offices to advance inclusive excellence and student success.

Qualifications

• Ph.D., Ed.D., or Master’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience in academic advising or student services administration.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to enhance CAS student experience.
• Oversee CAS student support services and programs.
• Lead recruitment, retention, and lifecycle events for CAS students.
• Oversee academic standing reviews, probation, and dismissal decisions.
• Collaborate with CAS faculty, chairs, departments, and university offices.
• Represent CAS in committees and policy work.
• Coordinate CAS graduation, awards, and scholarships processes.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Communication

Policy & governance

Education

Ph.D., Ed.D., or Master’s degree

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

Months Per Year: 12 Work Model: Onsite

Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

Seattle University's Core Competencies Effective Team Collaboration: Works harmoniously with others towards a common goal, leveraging individual strengths to achieve shared objectives. Emotionally Intelligent Communication: Engages in a skillful exchange of information, thoughts, and feelings, verbally and non-verbally. Ethics and Integrity: Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty, professionalism, and alignment with our Jesuit mission in all actions and decisions. Flexibility and Innovation: Embraces change, approaching problems with curiosity adaptability, and is committed to making a positive impact. Mindful Inclusion: Fosters mindful inclusion by consciously creating a workplace that celebrates differences, embraces cultural humility, and empowers uniqueness. Outcomes-Driven Orientation: Sets clear objectives, pursues excellence, and delivers measurable outcomes while upholding Jesuit Catholic values.

Job Description Summary

Position Description:

The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs will provide forward-looking, strategic leadership to enhance the academic experience of all undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). The Assistant Dean will oversee the college’s student support services and carry ou t o ther innovative services to support the academic success, persistence, and development of stude n ts in CAS. More broadly, this position will contribute to the College’s work on the University Strategic Directions and the College of Arts & Sciences strategic plan to improve our inclusive academic excellence. The Assistant Dean will provide strategic leadership to enhance the recruitment, retention, and lifecycle events of CAS students. The Assistant Dean will carry out strategies, projects, and events across the student experience, from admissions to graduation and beyond. Central responsibilities of this position include increasing and sustaining student enrollment through thoughtful recruitment and yield activities, providing orientation programs for new students and their families, and facilitating lifecycle events and student ceremonies. More broadly, this position will contribute to the University’s Strategic Directions and the College of Arts & Sciences strategic plan to improve our inclusive academic excellence.

Essential Job Functions

Key functions of the role include providing academic and personal guidance to students, consultation to academic department chairs and all CAS faculty, representing the college in committees, board, and policy work, overseeing the academic standing review of CAS students and determining quarterly probation and dismissal decisions, and overseeing student petitions and college decisions regarding degree requirements, registration, and grading. These functions are carried out in consultation and/or in collaboration with the academic departments and programs in CAS, the CAS Dean and Dean’s office, University Advising, Student Financial Services, Office of the Registrar, University Advancement, University Events, Student Affairs, and other SU colleges and offices. The Assistant Dean reports to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Essential duties include: Represent CAS as Dean’s Designee with the Office of the Registrar on academic forms including Petitions to the Dean and Petitions for Exceptions to Policy, Hardship Withdrawals, Student Leave of Absences, and other relevant review and approval capacities. Oversee quarterly academic standings of all CAS students below the minimum required GPA, making determinations on academic warning, academic probation, and academic suspensions. The Assistant Dean will meet with students on academic suspension and will make determinations on academic reinstatement. Meet with students experiencing academic and personal hardships and assist them in navigating the Hardship Withdrawal process. Represent CAS at the Dean of Students office’s weekly CARE team meeting and/or consult with CAS Lead Advisor, reviewing student issues deemed moderate or higher, and planning for appropriate interventions with impacted CAS students. Maintain professional relationships with University Advising and the professional academic advisors in CAS to implement university-wide advising initiatives, polices, and procedures in CAS. Act as primary college contact for university-wide retention efforts and collaborate with Student Affairs, the Provost’s Office, and others. Serve as primary liaison to University Admissions, regularly providing updates and presentations to University Admissions staff and leadership, and partnering to plan and execute admissions strategies to recruit and yield new CAS undergraduate students. Lead CAS presence at signature University Admissions events, including Fall Preview and Admitted Students Days. Assistant Dean will recruit and coordinate participation of faculty, staff, and students and design the CAS-specific programming. Design and lead additional efforts to augment the recruitment and admissions yield strategies for CAS, including collaboration with the CAS Director of Marketing and Communication, and Seattle University Marketing Communications. Administer CAS Continuing Student Scholarships, including chairing student awards and scholarships review committee and leveraging the Scholarship Universe information system to promote scholarships, facilitate the review of applications, identifying recipients, and disbursing awards. Plan CAS Convening and Induction activities, aligning program with first-year student experience and persistence efforts, and coordinating the involvement and participation of CAS faculty, staff, and students. Administer CAS awards and recognition process, including facilitating the nomination and review process, notifying, and recognizing recipients through various methods. Plan and implement CAS Graduation Celebration, including event set‑up, logistics, and coordinating CAS staff and faculty involvement. Provide oversight of Student Executive Council (UG) and Arts and Sciences Graduate Council (GR) Maintain integrity of student records and comply with university policies, deadlines, and procedures related to student enrollment. Serve on CAS and campus-wide committees and working groups. Represent CAS Dean as requested or needed. Respond strategically to evolving university priorities.

Marginal Job Functions

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D., Ed.D., or Master’s degree OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position. Three to five years experience in academic advising administration. Knowledge of appropriate student development theory and a demonstrated capability for personalized and outstanding academic advising practices that contribute to the educational and personal development of students. Demonstrated professional and interpersonal characteristics needed to supervise professional, graduate, and administrative staff, providing developmental leadership and professional growth opportunities in a high-volume and high-pressure setting. Demonstrated capability for collaborative and successful working relationships with diverse stakeholders in an academic environment: faculty, department chairs, program directors, and other academic and administrative staff. Experience with university/college policies and procedures and a demonstrated ability to utilize appropriate judgment in making decisions and recommendations. Expertise in working with students at risk and knowledge of pertinent retention and persistence theory. Effective communication and other interpersonal skills, and the ability to present information in large public venues. Knowledge of program assessment, learning outcomes, and evaluation techniques. Understanding of and appreciation for the role of student services in a Jesuit institution of higher education and a commitment to the university’s mission, vision, and values Demonstrated commitment to diversity and experience working with students of diverse backgrounds. Personal qualities that are essential for this position: professionalism, patience, attention to detail, follow-through, teamwork, calmness, industry, and a sense of humor. Ability to perform duties with minimal supervision. Ability to work regular evening hours and some weekends. This position requires a criminal history background check.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with student data management systems Proficiency in Excel and all Microsoft office software packages

Compensation at a Glance

$91,468 - $93,000

Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified.

Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package. Benefits at a Glance Consistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person. Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs. Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage. Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%. You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events. Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave. For more information explore the Benefits website at: https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/ Positions designated as hybrid eligible may offer the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule after successful completion of an introductory period of 3–6 months. In these cases, the role typically begins fully on campus to support onboarding and training, with the potential to transition to a hybrid arrangement thereafter. Positions designated as on‑site are not eligible for hybrid work and are expected to remain fully on campus. All flexible work arrangements are subject to periodic review and may be modified or discontinued at any time at the university’s discretion. With a career at Seattle University, you’re joining a community of passionate people dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders and thinkers.

Founded in 1891, Seattle University is a Jesuit Catholic university located on a beautiful campus of more than 50 acres in the dynamic heart of Seattle. Our diverse and driven population is made up of more than 7,200 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within six schools and colleges. Seattle University is an equal opportunity employer. In support of its pursuit of academic and scholarly excellence, Seattle University is committed to creating a diverse community of students, faculty and staff that is dedicated to the fundamental principles of equal opportunity and treatment in education and employment regardless of age, color, disability, gender identity, national origin, political ideology, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The university encourages applications from, and nominations of, individuals who will further enrich the diversity of our educational community.

Our Mission

Seattle University is dedicated to educating the whole person, to professional formation, and to empowering leaders for a just and humane world.

Our Vision

We will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels.

Our Values

Care – We put the good of students first. Academic Excellence – We value excellence in learning with great teachers who are active scholars. Diversity – We celebrate educational excellence achieved through diversity. Faith – We treasure our Jesuit Catholic ethos and the enrichment from many faiths of our university community. Justice – We foster a concern for justice and the competence to promote it. Leadership – We seek to develop responsible leaders committed to the common good.