Senior Associate Dean, Student Support Services

Duke University

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Positional Summary

The Senior Associate Dean of Students, Student Support Services, is responsible for overseeing four team leads in the areas of university behavioral conduct, non-clinical case management, discrimination and harassment, gender violence education and outreach, and crisis response and risk management. This role will also serve as a strategic partner to the Assistant Vice President, Policy and Governance, providing strategic leadership, policy development, and collaborative support to foster a safe and inclusive campus environment. This position serves to both uphold university policies and provide support to students navigating significant challenges, aiming for resolutions that promote student growth and success.

Key Position Duties

Supervision and Leadership - 50% of Effort

• Lead and supervise four team leads, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment. Provide ongoing training, mentorship, and performance evaluations for team members.
• Serve as a key member of the Dean of Students leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and policy development.
• Represent the Dean of Students in various meetings, committees, and events as needed.
• Engage with students, parents, and faculty to address concerns and foster a supportive campus climate.
• Develop and implement initiatives that promote student engagement, well-being, and academic success.
  
  

Student Support Service Areas Leadership- 20% of Effort

• University Behavioral Conduct:
• Oversee the student conduct process, ensuring fair and equitable treatment of all students.
• Develop and implement policies related to student behavior and discipline, aligning with university values.
• Non-Clinical Case Management:
• Manage non-clinical case management services, addressing student needs and providing appropriate resources.
• Collaborate with academic and other university support services to facilitate student success.
• Discrimination and Harassment:
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and university policies regarding discrimination and harassment.
• Oversee and provide advice/consult regarding discrimination/harassment matters involving students.
• Gender Violence Education and Outreach:
• Oversee the development and implementation of educational programs on gender violence prevention and awareness.
• Assist with facilitation and collaboration with campus organizations to promote outreach initiatives and resources.
• Crisis Response and Risk Management:
• Lead the crisis response team and develop strategies for managing and mitigating high-risk situations. Assess potential risks to the campus community and implement preventive measures and advise senior leaders on the same.
  

Collaboration and Communication- 20% of Effort

• Work closely with faculty, staff, student(s) and student organizations to promote a culture of safety and respect.
• Serve as a liaison between departments to enhance communication and support services.
• Stay informed of legal and regulatory changes affecting student conduct and support services. Contribute to the development and revision of university policies and procedures.
  
  

Administrative Responsibilities- 10% of Effort

• Maintain detailed and accurate records of all student cases and related interventions in compliance with university policies.
• Analyze data to identify trends and prepare reports that inform policy and procedural enhancements.
• Contribute to ongoing assessment efforts within the Dean of Students office related to case assessment, evaluation, adjudication and resolution. Evaluate the effectiveness of integrated conduct and case management approaches, recommending improvements as needed.
• Participate in department, division, and university committees and task forces, including the Student Behavioral Assessment Team.
• Represent the department at campus events, presentations, and professional conferences.
• Other: Perform related duties as assigned or required to meet departmental, Division and University goals and objectives, as assigned by their Supervisor, Director, or respective designees.
  
  

Strongly Preferred Experiences And Qualifications

• At least two years of experience supervising full-time employees.
• Experience working with diverse populations and a commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Experience working with policies and processes, and/or assessing and mitigating risk/liability.
• Background in advising/counseling students and experience with restorative justice practices in a conduct setting or behavioral conduct adjudication.
  
  

Preferred Skills And Competencies

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving abilities.
• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and best practices in student conduct, case management, and support services.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive and complex situations.
• In-depth knowledge of student conduct systems, legal issues, and mental health resources.
• Proficiency in managing both behavioral and health-related interventions within the conduct process.
• Strong critical thinking, judgment, and decision-making skills, with the ability to balance multiple projects and work autonomously or as part of a team.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to respond to crises and work flexible hours as needed.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive situations with discretion.
  
  

Physical Demands

• Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
• The primary nature of this position is that of usual office-type working conditions, with occasional work taking place outdoors. Physical skills that may be required to perform job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, movement throughout an office environment/building, carrying or lifting items (up to and including 50lbs), and sitting/standing for extended periods of time.
  
  

Incumbent must be able to complete all positional requirements outlined above with or without reasonable accommodations. For more information, please visit https://hr.duke.edu/policies/ada/

Minimum Qualifications

Education

A master's degree in education or a related field.

Experience

At least six years of experience as an administrator with responsibility for a wide range of process, project, policy, budgetary, and supervisory responsibilities within an organization. Demonstrated leadership experience in an educational setting with an ability to serve as an effective advocate for student success. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.