Assistant Dean for Student Success

Commonwealth of VA Careers

Virginia (MN)

Hybrid

USD 90,000 - 140,000

Full time

41 hours ago

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Job summary

The Commonwealth of Virginia is seeking an Assistant Dean for Student Success in Fairfax, VA. This full-time, hybrid position leads student success programs, advising, orientation, and case management to boost retention and degree completion.

You’ll analyze data to identify barriers, drive improvements, and coordinate with faculty and administrators to align policies and services. Qualifications include a Master’s degree in a related field and several years in higher education administration,

Qualifications

Master’s degree in related field from an accredited institution or equivalent experience.
Typically, five years in higher education administration, academic advising, student success or related areas.
Experience managing complex student issues, conflicts, and applying policies.
Strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills; data-informed decision making.
Ability to develop reports, dashboards, and strategic recommendations.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and oversight for student success programs and services, including advising, orientation, case management, and appeals.
Develop strategies that promote retention, academic achievement, progression, and timely degree completion.
Lead continuous improvement efforts to enhance the student experience and outcomes.
Ensure alignment of initiatives with college and university priorities.
Oversee collection and analysis of student success data to identify barriers to progression.
Monitor program effectiveness, outcomes, and key performance indicators related to retention and graduation.
Develop evidence-based recommendations and action plans to improve student success.
Prepare reports and presentations to inform college leadership and support decision making.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Communication

Strategic planning

Project management

Collaboration

Conflict resolution

Policy interpretation

Confidentiality

Education

Master’s degree in related field

Doctoral degree

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Advising technologies

Job description

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.