• Job Description

  Req#: 519761

  About UMass Amherst

  UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

  Job Summary:

  The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs provides the leadership and oversight of the SPHHS Center for Student Success (CSS). The CSS creates and complements other campus-wide programs that increase student retention, support timely progress toward degree completion, and enhance wellness, student engagement, and career exploration. CSS centers primarily on the school's mission of educating the next generation of public health and health sciences leaders. The office supports the development of students at the undergraduate and graduate level by providing a safe environment for students to achieve academic, social, and professional success. Coordinates activities and programs with the SPHHS Associate Deans; provides support to the SPHHS advising network; serves as SPHHS lead on undergraduate enrollment management; consults with departments on advising and student success needs; and represents SPHHS in university-wide student success and advising initiatives. The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs reports to the SPHHS Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs and collaborates with the Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Studies, the Associate Dean for Research, the Associate Dean for Administration and Finance, Assistant Dean for Belonging, Inclusion, and Equity, and Chairs of Departments to enhance and foster synergy among the school's academic, research, and service/practice programs.

  Essential Functions:

  Strategic Planning, Program Development, and Implementation (40%)

  • Oversees services and programs that enhance students' experiences such as advising programs, new student orientation, and career planning (for undergraduate students and graduate students as appropriate).
  • Develops, implements, and conducts periodic evaluations of student advising policies, procedures, and practices that foster and promote student learning student success, and support the educational goals of the school.
  • Develops and oversees specialized programs for "at-risk" students, first generation, underrepresented students, transfer students, SPHHS exploratory track, and those on suspension or probation with an aim to increase retention of these students and help them graduate within four and six years.
  • Uses best practices and data systems to inform strategic planning and program development.
  • Assumes leadership and responsibility for establishing an environment that promotes respect for students, faculty, and staff and recognizes initiative and excellence.
  • Supports SPHHS admissions and yield activities, including participating in University Enrollment meetings as appropriate, and engaging in student recruitment and outreach activities (e.g., Fall Visit Days and Admitted Student days) as well as supporting staff and students who engage in outreach and service activities.
  • Serves as a primary liaison to UMass Office of Student Success, including promoting student success initiatives. workshops, events, navigates for advising and documentation.
  • Liaises with the Dean of Students, University Health Services, Center for Psychological Health and Counseling, Disability Services, Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success, Career Services, in addition to national/international advising organizations.
  • Provides support for the FYS (First Year Seminar) associated with recruitment for the instructors consistent with school's priorities and coordinate with the graduate school for training of the instructors. Assists with developing student success content for FYS.
  • Represents SPHHS at campus-wide meetings, including Undergraduate Deans Council, New Students Orientation and Transition planning committee, and the Student Success Collaborative Leadership team.
  • Assists with the school’s CEPH (Council on Education for Public Health) accreditation process and preparing required documents.

  Direct Student Support (30%)

  • Provides advice and handles complex student problems with extenuating circumstances, academic jeopardy, or unusually difficult academic problems. Advises students on emergency situations and on referral from other University agencies. Counsels students on reinstatement and readmissions options after academic suspension or dismissal. Acts as counselor to students, guiding them through university support policies networks and academic policy.
  • Decision-Making Authority for reviewing and making determinations on undergraduate Dean actions, including but not limited to student withdrawals from classes, no record drops, late pass/fails, late course additions, course change requests, third repeat requests, repeat course substitution, UWW (CPE) internships and UWW (CPE) independent studies, credit overloads, approval to exceed 10/12 semesters, approval Satisfactory Academic Progress Plans for Financial Aid, University withdrawals, and petitions to the Committee on Admissions and Records.
  • In collaboration with the Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Studies, provides support to masters and PhD students within SPHHS.
  • Link students with resources and opportunities.
  • Together with the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs, reviews students who are on academic discipline and determine outcomes for immediate reinstatement requests.
  • Implements student centered events that support student success.
  • Helps to facilitate the distribution of information to students concerning applications for awards and scholarships in AcademicWorks.
  • Serves on Dean’s Student Advisory Board.

  Supervisory & Administrative (30%)

  • Supervises a team of approximately 5 full-time professional staff including Student Success Advisors, Director of Career Planning, and Administrative Assistant for Center for Student Success.
  • Oversees operational budgets for the Center for Student Success.

  Leadership Qualities:

  • Stays abreast of and addresses program related trends and encourages appropriate actions.
  • Listens to and acts upon feedback for various sources.
  • Acts as a role model and champion for service excellence and continuous improvement.
  • Seeks continuous improvement in leadership development.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

  Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

  • Master's Degree in Higher Education/Student Affairs, Public Health, Counseling, or related field
  • Five years of experience in higher education focused on student academic success.
  • Experience and competence with database systems, word-processing, spreadsheets, budgeting tools, etc. Hands-on ability to use sophisticated computer-based tools and to achieve the same for staff through training and development.
  • Effective communication skills as evidenced by accurate preparation of oral and written materials including presentations, proposals, reports, memoranda, and correspondence of both a technical and confidential nature.
  • Superb analytical and strategic planning capabilities with keen attention to accuracy and detail.
  • Accurate judgment and strong decision-making ability, particularly regarding personnel capabilities, interactions, and resource issues.
  • Excellent organizational skills to oversee numerous projects spanning many areas of expertise at the same time.
  • Ability to use sound judgment in normal and emergency situations.
  • Ability to promote a positive working environment, including respectful and collaborative working relationships.
  • Commitment to staff development and engagement and to inclusion, awareness and understanding of diverse thoughts, cultures, race, gender, and other differences.

  Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

  • Knowledge of UMASS academic policies and regulations.
  • Expertise in using SPIRE and Navigate.
  • History of successful management and supervisory responsibility.

  Physical Demands/Working Conditions

  Typical office environment.

  Work Schedule [MC1]

  • M-F 8:00-5:00
  • This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position is non-unit, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Non-Unit (Professional/or Classified) Employee Personnel Policy.

  Salary Information

  Salary will commensurate with qualifications and experience.

  Special Instructions to Applicants

  UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

  Application Instructions:

  UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

• About the company

  The oceanfront campus is minutes from downtown Boston and nationally recognized as a student-centered urban public research university.

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