Associate Vice President and Dean of Students

Southern Methodist University; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Methodist University is seeking an experienced Associate Vice President and Dean of Students to provide strategic vision and executive oversight for a comprehensive portfolio focused on student health, safety, wellbeing, advocacy, and success.

The role sits on the senior leadership team within student affairs and collaborates broadly to evolve support resources and wellbeing initiatives with the institution’s growth.

Responsibilities

• Oversees student conduct and community standards, student advocacy and support, student health services, and campus recreation and wellbeing education.
• Lead crisis response and critical incident management, ensuring regulatory compliance across the division.
• Foster cross-campus partnerships with academic units to support undergraduate and graduate students.

Job description

The client is seeking an experienced and student-centered leader to serve as Associate Vice President and Dean of Students. This role provides strategic vision and executive oversight for a comprehensive portfolio focused on promoting student health, safety, wellbeing, advocacy, and success. The position is part of the senior leadership team within student affairs and plays a central role in ensuring that student support systems and wellbeing initiatives evolve alongside the institution's continued growth and rising national profile.

The Associate Vice President and Dean of Students oversees key areas such as student conduct and community standards, student advocacy and support, student health services, and campus recreation and wellbeing education. The role involves collaborating across the institution to address complex student needs, lead critical incident and crisis response efforts, ensure regulatory compliance, and advance divisional and institutional priorities. The individual in this position will also partner closely with academic units to ensure that support resources and initiatives effectively serve both undergraduate and graduate student populations.

The ideal candidate is expected to be a highly approachable and visible leader who combines strategic thinking with a deep commitment to student wellbeing. Demonstrated success in leading complex student affairs teams, navigating critical incidents, and building strong partnerships across campus is essential. The successful candidate will foster a culture where every student feels supported and empowered to succeed, using their leadership and influence to help students navigate challenges, access support, and achieve their goals.