Dean of Student Services

Lower Columbia College; Longview (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Lower Columbia College in Longview, WA seeks a Dean of Student Services to provide innovative leadership for advising, testing, financial aid, disability access, and enrollment programs. The role drives the student lifecycle from onboarding to degree completion, partnering with academic leadership to align resources with student success.

The Dean oversees conduct reviews, campus wellbeing, and Commencement logistics, serves as the conduct officer, and leads the Student Services Leadership Team.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in student services administration, counseling, educational administration, or a closely related field.
• Three years of student services leadership experience in higher education.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Strong personnel management skills, including the ability to manage multiple functions and organize financial and human resources to meet goals and objectives.
• Proven track record of collaborating across teams to support and empower demographically and academically diverse student populations.
• Experienced strategic and proactive problem solver who actively identifies inefficiencies, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
• Proficient in modern software tools with a proven ability to learn and master new technologies quickly.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, strategic planning, and supervision for Student Services areas.
• Create and sustain a positive, inclusive work environment that supports staff growth, accountability, and professional development; model high standards of professionalism and ethical leadership.
• Recruit, hire, mentor, supervise, and evaluate staff.
• Oversee onboarding and holistic student support model aligned with Guided Pathways and other best practices.
• Collaborate with instruction and student services leaders to design and implement evidence-based, data-driven, high-impact practices that improve student satisfaction, retention, persistence, and completion.
• Serve as the College’s designated Student Conduct Officer, adjudicate student appeals and grievances, and enforce the Student Code of Conduct in all academic student discipline issues.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations affecting Student Services (e.g., ADA, FERPA, Title IX).
• Oversee co-curricular student activities operations to foster an inclusive, vibrant community.
• Use technology and data to analyze enrollment, retention, and student success metrics to inform continuous improvement.
• Monitor department and project budgets; develop annual budget requests and participate in the College budgeting process.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Collaboration

Strategic planning

Problem solving

Personnel management

Data-driven

Education

Master's degree in student services administration, counseling, educational administration, or closely related field

Tools

ctcLink/PeopleSoft

Job description

At a Glance!

Lower Columbia College seeks a strategic, dynamic Dean of Student Services to provide innovative leadership for student services departments and programs and oversee daily operations, fostering a student-centered experience. This role drives initiatives across the entire student lifecycle, including onboarding, registration, retention, persistence, and degree completion. Collaborating closely with academic leadership, faculty, and other divisions, the Dean integrates human and technological resources with strategic partnerships to support student achievement and well-being. This position also serves as the institution's Conduct Review Officer and oversees Commencement.

Who you are:

As the Dean of Student Services, you are an equity-minded, visionary leader who puts students at the forefront of everything you do. Your integrity and sound judgment make you a trusted leader. You are passionate about student success and excel at creating seamless, holistic support systems for demographically and academically diverse student populations. You thrive in a collaborative environment where you can build strong cross-departmental relationships, mentor dedicated teams, and leverage data and technology to continuously improve the student experience. As a proactive problem solver and skilled communicator, you are comfortable navigating complex situations—from student conduct and compliance to high-level strategic planning with fairness, empathy, and professionalism.

About the team:

• Advising, Testing & One-Stop
• Disability & Access Services
• Financial Aid
• Multicultural Services
• Registration
• Student Programs & Activities
• TRIO Student Support Services
• Workforce Programs

The Student Services teams the Dean oversees are highly collaborative, share a deep commitment to student success, and strive to continuously enhance the student experience. The Dean leads the Student Services Leadership Team, is a member of the Vice President’s Academic Leaders (VPAL) team, and has the opportunity to engage with many other leaders and departments to further LCC’s mission.

This position is 40 hours per week and is ineligible for overtime under FLSA. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. The Dean of Student Services is primarily on campus, with occasional opportunities to work remotely. There will be occasional travel within the state to represent LCC at state meetings. This position reports to the Interim Vice President of Instruction & Student Services. We typically hire in the lower to middle range of the salary range. Offers are made based on the applicant’s qualifications relative to the job, internal pay equity, and any other relevant factors.

Applications will be reviewed after the position closes on September 27. We anticipate a start date of December 1, 2026, or January 4, 2027.

Leadership & Administration

• Provide leadership, strategic planning, and supervision for Student Services areas.
• Create and sustain a positive, inclusive work environment that supports staff growth, accountability, and professional development; model high standards of professionalism and ethical leadership.
• Recruit, hire, mentor, supervise, and evaluate staff.

Student Success & Enrollment Services

• Oversee and continuously improve an integrated, collaborative, and holistic onboarding and student support model aligned with Guided Pathways and other best practices.
• Collaborate with instruction and student services leaders to design and implement evidence-based, data-driven, high-impact practices that improve student satisfaction, retention, persistence, and completion.

Compliance, Policy & Student Well-Being

• Serve as the College’s designated Student Conduct Officer, adjudicate student appeals and grievances, and enforce the Student Code of Conduct in all academic student discipline issues.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations affecting Student Services (e.g., ADA, FERPA, Title IX).
• Serve on LCC’s Title IX Team.
• Oversee co-curricular student activities operations to foster an inclusive, vibrant community.
• Ensure student services and programs address current and emerging student needs, including basic needs support and mental health services.
• Direct and oversee all operational logistics, cross-departmental coordination, and program execution for annual Commencement ceremony.

Data, Technology & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee the effective use of the College’s student success management platform/s (e.g., EAB Navigate 360) and champion increased utilization by staff and faculty.
• Use technology and data to analyze and interpret enrollment, retention, and student success metrics to inform continuous improvement.
• Lead ongoing review and improvement of Student Services processes, procedures, and policies to improve efficiency, access, service delivery, and adherence to accreditation standards.

Budgeting, Reporting & External Engagement

• Monitor department and project budgets; develop annual budget requests and participate in the College budgeting process.
• Compile student outcome and other required reports for the Vice President, the Executive Leadership Team, and external entities.
• Represent Lower Columbia College in the community; serve on campus committees and state-level work groups; participate in professional development and regional or statewide initiatives.
• Build and maintain partnerships with K-12 districts, higher education institutions, workforce partners, social service agencies, and health organizations to support educational access and student success.

This description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, effort, work conditions, and benefits associated with the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in student services administration, counseling, educational administration, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Three years of student services leadership experience in higher education
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with a proven ability to articulate complex concepts clearly across diverse audiences.
• Strong personnel management skills, including the ability to manage multiple functions and organize financial and human resources to meet goals and objectives
• Proven track record of collaborating across teams to support and empower demographically and academically diverse student populations.
• Experienced strategic and proactive problem solver who actively identifies inefficiencies, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
• Proficient in modern software tools with a proven ability to learn and master new technologies quickly.

Preferred Qualifications

• More than three years of student services leadership experience in higher education, including experience supervising teams.
• Experience in budget oversight and financial management.
• Experience with data analysis and reporting.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws affecting higher education, particularly student service areas.
• Demonstrated experience implementing student success programs involving multiple departments.
• Experience serving on a student conduct board or participating in student grievance and disciplinary proceedings.
• Background in and/or knowledge of strategic enrollment management processes.
• Experience in Student Services in Washington State and the Community and Technical College System.
• Experience with ctcLink/PeopleSoft.

The minimum qualifications may seem specific and limiting, but we do consider candidates with relatable education, experience, and skills. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet exactly what's listed. With questions about qualifications, feel free to reach out to our HR team.

Upon request, accommodations are available for persons with disabilities for the Lower Columbia College hiring process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. The Human Resources Office is accessible to persons with disabilities.

Residency Requirement

To be employed at Lower Columbia College, applicants must currently reside in Washington or Oregon, or be willing to relocate to one of these states. This is a condition of employment for all positions at the College. Please ensure your application reflects your current residency or intent to relocate if selected for the role.

Lower Columbia College Human Resources

For any questions regarding this job advertisement and/or department or campus culture, please call our Human Resources office at [phone], or email us directly at [e-mail]

Equal Employment Opportunity

Lower Columbia College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and Washington State's Law Against Discrimination, Chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations. All Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX, access, equal opportunity and/or grievance procedures should be directed to Jason Arrowsmith, Director of Security, 1600 Maple Street, PO Box 3010, Longview, WA 98632, [e-mail], Phone number, [phone], Phone number/TTY [phone].

• Learn more on our Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment page.
• The college is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information, visit About Title IX.
• The college encourages qualified members of protected classes to apply.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

LCC celebrates and embraces diversity of all kinds, including differing beliefs, cultures, people, and experiences. We commit to institutional and individual changes that recognize, understand, and challenge patterns of social inequity and systemic disparities within our ever-changing world. For more information, see Diversity & Equity.

Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998, and as a part of the College's commitment to safety and security on campus, Lower Columbia College reports the mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, the required statistics, and other related information for the past three (3) calendar years. Lower Columbia College's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at lowercolumbia.edu/CleryASFR.

Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct

Pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or professional association or is currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employers or professional association. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who does not complete this form.

Mission, Vision & Values

Our Mission, Vision & Values define our reason for being, and provide the framework for planning and improvement efforts at LCC. For details on LCC's Mission, Vision & Values, see Strategic Plan.

Conditions of Employment

• If you are hired, you will need to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. citizenship or appropriate legal authorization to work for the duration of this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1995.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• The College is committed to maintain an environment for teaching and learning which is free of drugs and alcohol.

Anticipated Start Date

LCC offers two start dates for new employees - the 1st and 16th or the closest working day.