Assistant Dean for Student Success

George Mason University; Fairfax (VA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University seeks an Assistant Dean for Student Success in Fairfax, VA. This role provides strategic leadership for retention, academic achievement, progression, and timely degree completion, overseeing advising, orientation, case management, and appeals processes.

The position reports to the Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs and collaborates with faculty, staff, APCs and university offices to implement policies and drive continuous improvement in student outcomes.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in related field from an accredited institution or equivalent
• Typically, five years of experience in higher education administration, academic advising, student success or related areas
• Experience managing complex student issues and resolving conflicts
• Knowledge of academic advising models, retention strategies and data-informed decision-making
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration and relationship-building skills
• Data analysis and problem-solving abilities
• Strategic planning and project management capabilities
• Ability to work with policy interpretation and confidentiality in sensitive matters
• Experience with data visualization tools like Power BI or Tableau

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for student success programs and services
• Develop and implement retention and progression strategies
• Lead continuous improvement efforts to enhance student experience
• Ensure alignment with college and university priorities
• Oversee data collection and analysis of student success metrics
• Monitor program effectiveness and report outcomes to leadership
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to apply policies and support processes
• Support SAA events and student-facing activities

Education

Master's degree in related field

Doctoral degree in Higher Education or related field

Leadership and supervisory skills

Data analysis and problem-solving skills

Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills

Verbal and written communication skills

Strategic planning and project management

Conflict resolution and case management

Tools

Power BI

Power BI, Tableau or similar analytics tools

Job description

Assistant Dean for Student Success

Department: Col of Ed and Human Development

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The College of Education and Human Development is an all-inclusive community of scholars, educators, and practitioners dedicated to the lifelong pursuit of learning, development, and well-being. Through transdisciplinary collaboration, we innovate and produce research that positively impacts the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world. The CEHD Office of Student and Academic Affairs (SAA) participates in the onboarding of new students, facilitates enrollment and retention, addresses barriers to success, adjudicates appeals and grievances, awards scholarships, coordinates enrichment activities and celebratory events, and provides students with a broad range of resources. Further, SAA advises College faculty and staff on academic policies and procedures, complex student matters, instructional challenges, curricular development, and integrity and compliance efforts.

About the Position:

The Assistant Dean for Student Success provides strategic leadership for initiatives that promote student retention, academic achievement, student progression, and timely degree completion. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs, this position oversees student success programs and services, including academic advising, new student orientation, student case management, and student appeals processes. The Assistant Dean leads the use of student success data to identify barriers to progression, evaluate outcomes, and implement continuous improvement strategies that enhance student experience and support student success. The position serves as a key liaison among students, faculty, staff, Academic Program Coordinators (APCs), Department Chairs, and university offices to ensure effective implementation of academic policies and student success strategies, and college-wide academic planning initiatives.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership of Student Success Programs and Initiatives

• Provide leadership and oversight for student success programs and services, including academic advising, new student orientation, student case management, and student appeals processes;
• Develop and implement strategies that promote student retention, academic achievement, progression, and timely degree completion;
• Lead continuous improvement efforts designed to enhance the student experience and support positive student outcomes; and
• Ensure alignment of student success initiatives with college and university strategic priorities.

Student Success Assessment, Data Analysis, and Continuous Improvement

• Oversee the collection, analysis, and use of student success data to identify barriers to academic progression and degree completion;
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, student outcomes, and key performance indicators related to retention, persistence, and graduation;
• Develop evidence-based recommendations and action plans to improve student success outcomes; and
• Prepare reports, presentations, and assessments to inform college leadership and support strategic decision-making.

Stakeholder Collaboration, Academic Policy Implementation, and Student Advocacy

• Serve as a key liaison among students, faculty, staff, Academic Program Coordinators, Department Chairs, and university offices to support student success initiatives and academic planning efforts;
• Facilitate effective implementation and interpretation of academic policies, procedures, and student support processes;
• Provide consultation and guidance regarding student concerns, appeals, and complex academic situations; and
• Foster collaborative partnerships that strengthen student support systems across the college and university.

Complete other duties related to Student and Academic Affairs

• Support and attend SAA student-facing events, including (but not limited to) CEHD Research Symposium and CEHD Degree Celebration.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in related field from an accredited institution or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Typically, a minimum of five years of experience in higher education administration, academic advising, student success, student affairs, academic affairs, and/or a related area;
• Experience managing complex student issues and resolving conflicts;
• Knowledge of academic advising models, retention strategies, and student support services; of higher education policies, procedures, and regulations related to academic progression, student appeals, and degree completion; of data-informed decision-making;
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills;
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and relationship-building skills;
• Effective verbal and written communication skills;
• Data analysis and problem-solving skills;
• Strategic planning and project management skills;
• Conflict resolution and case management skills;
• Ability to prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations based on data findings; to develop and implement student success strategies and initiatives; to analyze complex student success data and identify trends, barriers, and opportunities for improvement; to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously; to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and administrators;
• Ability to interpret and apply academic policies consistently and equitably; to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality in sensitive student matters;
• Ability to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for students;
• Demonstrated ability to use student success, enrollment, and academic performance data to inform strategic decision-making, policy implementation, and continuous improvement;
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with academic leaders and faculty to implement student success initiatives; and
• Professional integrity and ethical decision-making.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Higher Education, Educational Leadership, Student Affairs, or a related field;
• Experience with student success analytics, dashboard development and use, or predictive analytics;
• Experience supporting academic planning, enrollment management, or institutional effectiveness initiatives;
• Experience supervising professional staff;
• Experience with student information systems, advising technologies, and data visualization tools;
• Demonstrated success leading retention, advising, or student success initiatives;
• Experience designing and assessing large-scale student success initiatives;
• Experience fostering a culture of assessment and evidence-based decision-making;
• Advanced knowledge of predictive analytics, student success technologies, and early-alert systems;
• Knowledge of assessment methodologies and continuous improvement practices;
• Advanced analytical skills using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms;
• Ability to build partnerships across academic and administrative units to advance strategic priorities;
• Ability to evaluate and redesign processes that affect student progression and completion;
• Demonstrated commitment to innovation and continuous improvement;
• Ability to think strategically while maintaining operational effectiveness;
• Flexibility and adaptability in addressing changing student and institutional needs; and
• Record of successful leadership in advancing student success outcomes within higher education.

Posting Open Date:

October 1, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by:

October 30, 2026

Open Until Filled:

Yes