Assistant Dean - Student Success and Outreach

Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement seeks an Assistant Dean for Student Success to lead recruitment, retention, and student success initiatives across EHHD programs. The role collaborates with college leadership to implement policies aligned with the university mission and supports both undergraduate and graduate students.

The position oversees recruitment strategies, student advising, and coordinating with the Graduate School to create inclusive, data-driven approaches that

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of professional experience and education.
• Experience: Demonstrated experience in student recruitment, retention, advising, or student success efforts within a higher education setting.
• Engagement: Proven experience working with and engaging diverse students and colleagues within and outside the university setting.
• Coordination: Demonstrated experience coordinating committees and managing complex administrative processes.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement a College Recruitment and Retention Action Plan tailored to the college’s programs.
• Recruitment: Lead local, regional, national, and international recruitment efforts in collaboration with the Dean’s office and Admissions.
• Student Support: Establish and maintain comprehensive student support services and activities in collab with University programs.
• Outreach: Represent the college in orientation programs and MSU events.
• Data Management: Monitor and report on KPIs and student success.
• Advising Support: Support EHHD advising teams and liaise with graduate program coordinators.

Skills

Student recruitment

Student retention

Advising

Committee coordination

Collaboration

Education

Master’s degree (or equivalent)

Job description

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27092 For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Tricia Seifert

406-994-5788

[e-mail]

Classification Title Assistant/Associate Dean Working Title Assistant Dean - Student Success and Outreach Brief Position Overview

The Assistant Dean for Student Success provides strategic leadership and operational support to enhance the experience of prospective and current students enrolled in EHHD programs. This role is responsible for overseeing student recruitment, retention, and success initiatives for both undergraduate and graduate students. The Assistant Dean serves as a key member of the college leadership team, collaborating with the Dean and Associate Deans to implement policies that support the college’s mission of excellence and collaboration.

Position Number 4C7145 Department Dean Educ/HHD Division College of Education, Health & Human Development Appointment Type Professional Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Starting at $80,000, commensurate with experience, education & qualifications Contract Type LOA If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

The Assistant Dean for Student Success provides strategic leadership and operational support to enhance the experience of prospective and current students enrolled in EHHD programs. This role is responsible for overseeing student recruitment, retention, and success initiatives for both undergraduate and graduate students. The Assistant Dean serves as a key member of the college leadership team, collaborating with the Dean and Associate Deans to implement policies that support the college’s mission of excellence and collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Student Success and Retention

• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement a College Recruitment and Retention Action Plan tailored to the unique needs of the diverse programs within Education, Health, and Human Development.
• Recruitment: Spearhead and execute local, regional, national, and international recruitment efforts in collaboration with the Dean’s office and the Office of Admissions.
• Student Support: Establish and maintain comprehensive student support services, programs, and activities in conjunction and collaboration with those provided by the University.
• Outreach: Coordinate and represent the college in summer orientation programming, “MSU Friday” events, and other special orientation activities.
• Data Management: Monitor, evaluate, and disseminate data and metrics related to the college’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and student success in collaboration with the Office of Planning and Analysis.
• Advising Support: Support EHHD undergraduate advising team and academic coordinator(s) and liaise with graduate program coordinators and MSU Graduate School.
• Community Excellence: Engage in and advance University and College initiatives to welcome and value a wide variety of perspectives.
• Policy Oversight: Coordinate policies and procedures relating to student conduct, including FERPA, plagiarism, disciplinary issues, and disabilities.
• Suspension Appeals: Liaise with students, advisors, and University board throughout the appeals process.

Administrative Leadership

• Campus Representation: Represent college and actively engage with appropriate MSU committees (for example, Assistant Deans Council, Student Success Collaborative, GARC, CERC, Suspension Appeals Board) and initiatives. Disseminate information between the college and university in a timely and accurate way.
• Program and Student Club Oversight: Lead student-centered programs, such as a Student Ambassador Program; Support and mentor leaders involved with College-affiliated student organizations
• Budgetary Collaboration: Work with the college’s fiscal manager to oversee budgets associated with student success initiatives.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Education: Master’s degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of professional experience and education.
• Experience: Demonstrated experience in student recruitment, retention, advising, or student success efforts within a higher education setting.
• Engagement: Proven experience working with and engaging diverse students and colleagues within and outside the university setting.
• Coordination: Demonstrated experience coordinating committees and managing complex administrative processes.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Advanced Degree: PhD or EdD in higher education, education, or a related field PD
• Administrative Depth: Previous administrative experience including supervisory responsibilities.
• Data Expertise: Experience presenting data to diverse audiences to inform decision making.
• Domain Expertise: Professional experience in a field represented within the College of Education, Health and Human Development.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Possess excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently as a self-starter.
• Possess exceptional organizational skills and the ability to prioritize multiple projects with various deadlines.
• Have the ability to be a team player and maintain effective working relations with students, parents, staff, faculty, and administrators

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Posting Detail Information

Number Of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date At The Conclusion Of a Successful Search. Position End Date (if Temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications Will Be

Screening of applications will begin on September 28, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).