Associate Dean of Residence Life

Application Deadline: February 21, 2025

Salary: $76,946

About Arkansas Tech:

Founded in 1909, Arkansas Tech University is a comprehensive public institution with a rich history, maintaining regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and classification as a Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) level III institution. ATU was ranked the No. 1 regional public university in Arkansas by U.S. News and World Report in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and CollegeNET recognizes ATU as the No. 1 institution in Arkansas on its Social Mobility Index. Since 2019, Arkansas Tech has been the host institution for the prestigious Arkansas Governor’s School. The 559-acre Russellville campus, located in the scenic Arkansas River Valley between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, is just one hour from the capital city of Little Rock. Russellville features a charming blend of historic and modern architecture as well as the recreational opportunities provided by Lake Dardanelle and several state parks. Offering more than 100 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degree and certificate programs across five academic colleges and two campuses, Arkansas Tech strives to provide a solid educational foundation for life-long learning to a diverse community. For more information about Arkansas Tech University and the surrounding community, please visit our website at www.atu.edu/hr to find our “Live Here” informational resources.

Position Summary:

Arkansas Tech University Residential Life supports approximately 2,000 students with care, connections, and programs that enhance their university experience. Our staff fosters students' personal, social, academic, community, and leadership development.

At ATU, living on campus enhances personal growth and academic success. Our community offers leadership opportunities, educational and social programs, and close interactions with faculty and staff. Our neighborhoods are comprised of approximately 2,000 beds in safe, convenient residence halls and apartments.

The Associate Dean for Residence Life leads and manages all aspects of our housing program. This role oversees eight full-time employees, a $10 million budget, 11 living facilities, and ensures an exceptional living experience for students. Key responsibilities include strategic planning, operational management, and fostering community development. The Associate Dean will collaborate with university stakeholders and lead ongoing assessments and capital projects.

The Associate Dean for Residence Life supervises two Assistant Deans and indirectly supervises the Assistant Director, Area Coordinator, and administrative support staff. The Department of Residence Life also employs eight graduate residence directors, and over 100 student staff, directing the comprehensive living and learning program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Departmental Leadership

Responsible for administering a broad housing operations and services portfolio, developing and overseeing the residential community, including personnel management, staff development, operations, budget management, contract management, marketing, assessment, strategic planning, facility maintenance, student programming, student outreach, and student success initiatives.

Serve as the principal manager in identifying and creating the overall vision, goals, and strategic priorities for department direction.

Design and implement a residential environment conducive to learning and engagement.

Work collaboratively with Facilities Management, the Office of Information Services and other departments to coordinate activities and provide exceptional service to students.

Make presentations regarding housing to parents, prospective students, and University departments.

Provide annual resident projections and occupancy needs as well as weekly occupancy reports.

Address student, parent, and stakeholder concerns related to housing.

Budget and Supervision

Work collaboratively and autonomously with the Budget Director for annual budget development.

Develop and administer an annual operating budget of $10 million and monitor expenditures.

Serve and provide supervisory oversight for professional staff, including hiring, training, and evaluation.

Develop goals and strategic professional development plans with team members.

Directly supervise a team of two assistant deans, and indirectly supervise four assistant directors, two administrative support staff, eight graduate residence directors, and team of over 100 student staff.

Provide leadership for ongoing training and development of all Residence Life staff.

Community Development

Design and deliver co-curricular programs to build community and enhance student retention using a curricular model.

Create a living climate that fosters each student resident's intellectual, cultural, social, and interpersonal growth through training and supervision of programs, live-in staff, and other educators. Recommend and implement co-curricular learning experiences that contribute to student success.

Develop initiatives and programs with a focus on developing community and student engagement.

Build collaborative relationships to support the residential community.

Lead the living-learning communities (LLC) program and recruit new programs with campus and academic partners.

Foster a culture of safety and accountability in residence halls.

Review and amend housing policies to promote community and individual development.

Support staff with crisis response and safety protocols.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Master's in higher education administration, counseling, or related field.

5 years in residence life and housing with progressive role responsibilities.

Budget management experience.

Understanding of housing facilities management, camps and conferences, related software programs, and departmental marketing.

Demonstrated capability in full-time staff supervision and forming cross-campus partnerships.

Minimum Requirements:

Master's in higher education administration, counseling, or related field.

5 years in residence life and housing with progressive role responsibilities.

Budget management experience.

Understanding of housing facilities management, camps and conferences, related software programs, and departmental marketing.

Demonstrated capability in full-time staff supervision and forming cross-campus partnerships.

Preferred Qualifications:

7 years of professional experience in a supervisory role working in Housing, Residence Life, or closely related experience

Demonstrated expansive knowledge of and strong foundation in multiple housing and residential life functions including budgeting and finance, crisis management, residential technology, facility maintenance and custodial, room assignments/billing, marketing and outreach, summer conferences, budget development, student development theory, staff supervision and professional development, and student conduct.

Knowledge of student development, group dynamics, and interpersonal skills.

Work Location, Environment, and Physical Demands:

Main campus in Russellville. Office within Doc Bryan Student Services Center. Night and weekend work is required on occasion.

What to Submit:

Cover letter, Resume, and 3 Professional References.

To be considered for the position of Associate Dean of Residence Life, all applications must be received and processed through our applicant tracking system Cornerstone prior to the closing date on February 21 , 2025, before 6:00 pm central time.

Please go to https://atu.csod.com/ats/careersite/search.aspx?site=1&c=atu to