Assistant Dean for Student Experience and Community Building

University of Rhode Island; Kingston (RI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Rhode Island in Kingston seeks an Assistant Dean for Student Experience and Community Building within the College of Health Sciences. The role partners with college leadership, faculty and students to enhance the student experience from recruitment through graduation and to foster a sense of belonging and engagement campus-wide.

The position focuses on student-centered programming, collaboration with campus partners, and strategic communications to strengthen community, yield,

Responsibilities

• Develop and assess initiatives that foster belonging, engagement, and community among students.
• Plan and execute college-wide events and programs that enhance the student experience.
• Collaborate with campus offices and student organizations to coordinate initiatives.
• Lead peer mentoring and student ambassador programs for the college.
• Support strategies that sustain student yield from pre-matriculation through graduation.
• Identify barriers to retention and implement student-centered solutions.

Job description

Assistant Dean for Student Experience and Community Building

Posting Number: SF02213

Position Type: Professional Staff

Union: PSA/NEA - Professional Staff Assoc

Pay Grade Level: Grade Level: 14

Pay Grade Range: Salary Hiring Range: $80,000 - $90,000

Department: Dean Health Sciences

Campus Location: Kingston

Job Description Summary

Search will be open until filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by 10/28/2026. Applications received after 10/28/2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.

The College of Health Sciences includes seven departments (Communicative Disorders, HumanDevelopment and Family Science, Kinesiology, Nutrition, Physical Therapy, Psychology, andPublic Health), as well as the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, and the Program in Gerontology. The College offers seven undergraduate degrees with a total enrollment of 2,460 students. The College offers eight master's degree programs and four doctoral degree programs with a total graduate enrollment of 264 graduate students. There are 90 faculty members in the college. The College operates five on campus clinics and two off campus clinics, as well as two child development centers.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Dean of Student Experience and Community Building will work closely with the college leadership, faculty and students, as well as campus partners to develop and implement strategies to enhance the student experience from recruitment through graduation, including supporting admissions efforts and creating community-building opportunities. The Assistant Dean works closely with the CHS student services leadership and staff on joint projects, events, and strategies that promote student success and support an inclusive, student-centered environment. While the major focus will be on student experience, the Assistant Dean will support the planning and implementation of events, communication strategies and other community building activities that foster a college wide sense of belonging, engagement and community among faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and assess initiatives that foster a sense of belonging, engagement, and community among students.
• Plan and execute college-wide events and programs that enhance the student experience.
• Build and maintain partnerships with campus offices such as Student Affairs, New Student Transitions, Office of Community, Equity and Diversity, Residential Life, and the Fannon Institute for Student Success, to coordinate initiatives that enhance the overall student experience.
• Collaborate with student organizations and leaders to support involvement, leadership development, and community-building efforts.
• Lead and oversee the development of peer mentoring and student ambassador programs for the college.
• Develop and contribute to co-curricular strategies that support yield and sustained engagement from pre-matriculation through graduation.
• Identify barriers to student retention and collaborate with campus partners to implement proactive, student-centered solutions.
• Serve as a resource for faculty regarding student engagement and sense of belonging.
• Collaborate with CHS Student Services on student success and student support initiatives.
• Lead or support programming that enhances the student journey and contributes to a positive, inclusive learning environment.
• Coordinate with faculty and staff to support engagement opportunities such as workshops, events, and co-curricular experiences.
• Serve on committees, working groups, and initiatives related to student experience, belonging, and success.
• Work closely with the Office of Community, Equity and Diversity (CED) and other university entities to help cultivate an environment that fosters an inclusive people-centered culture at the University of Rhode Island.
• Serve on University Diversity Council (UDC). Share best practices across academic and administrative units. Evaluate collective progress toward Focus URI KPIs. Coordinate community building activities to increase impact and eliminate silos.
• Help plan and implement communication strategies to enhance student experience and community building.
• Work with the college leadership to develop strategic direction for student experience and community building initiatives across the College of Health Sciences.
• Provide strategic leadership for college-wide events and signature programs that enhance visibility, strengthen community, and support recruitment, yield, and retention goals.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• When appropriate, teach First-Year seminar as assigned.
• Participate in college committees.
• Represent the College in university-wide meetings and with external partners
• Perform other duties as assigned.

LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT

Personal computers, printers, and relevant programs and software.

Posting Date: 09/18/2026