Luther College is using an outside firm to assist in this search. For full consideration of this role. Please apply via the Spelman Johnson careers page. 

The Dean of Students joins deans in academic affairs and student success in a Deans Council reporting to the Provost. The Dean will have oversight of six units and will lead a staff of 18 with five direct reports, including the Director of Student Activities and Leadership Development, Director of Housing and Residence Life, Director of Community Standards, Director of Counseling, and Administrative Assistant and Coordinator of Student Services. In addition, the Dean exercises oversight of the outsourced Student Health Service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Opportunities and challenges for the Dean:

• Support and engage the student body. The Dean of Students will join the Dean of Student Success and the Dean of Academic Affairs/Associate Provost in a Deans Council that supports an integrated approach to student-facing work. The Dean will work collaboratively with the Deans Council and the Provost to actively address current student needs and proactively envision how student engagement on a small liberal arts campus and the development of student leaders and global citizens can be supported. The Dean will lead a team dedicated to supporting students throughout their experience at Luther, with particular emphasis on developing student agency, self-efficacy, and integrating resources across academic and campus The Dean will be an active, visible, accessible, and approachable member of the community, getting to know students individually, dialoguing with them, listening to their voices, being present across campus, and meeting students where they are, while encouraging them in their development.
• Partner, communicate, and collaborate across the College in support of student success. Keeping the success of students at the forefront, the Dean of Students will develop strong and collaborative relationships across the College. With the Dean reporting to the Provost, there is a natural partnership and priority for providing a holistic experience for students that includes a balanced and an integrated education inside and outside the classroom. The Dean will be a bridge builder working with faculty and academic affairs, enrollment management, athletics, music ensembles, and all areas that engage with the student experience. The Dean will foster clear, consistent, and frequent communication among the units within the Provost division, with students, and across the campus.
• Bring vision and innovation to student life and programs. The new Dean will bring a grounding in student development theory and current best practices to set a course forward that enhances the student experience, promotes healthy community values on campus, supports the development of students as future citizens and leaders, and prepares students to be active participants in a global society prior to and after graduation.
• Demonstrate a clear commitment to inclusion and belonging. The Dean of Students will play a central role in championing the College’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment that supports a sense of belonging among all students. The Dean will bring thought leadership, expertise, and an understanding of how to engage students in these important discussions. The Dean will work collaboratively with students, staff, other administrators, and faculty to support Luther College as it strives for inclusive excellence and fosters an appreciation of the diverse identities and perspectives that enliven our campus.
• Support and develop the staff. The Dean will be an empathetic and decisive change agent, an inspiring leader, and an advocate for an evolving student life program within an integrated framework. The Dean will provide staff with mentorship and empower them with opportunities for professional development and growth as Luther continues to build excellence in student engagement and development in alignment with academic affairs and student success.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The following units report to the Dean of Students:

• Community Standards: The Director of Community Standards manages a student conduct process that both educates students about the responsibilities of living and learning in community and provides accountability for violations of community In doing this work, the Director of Community Standards will collaborate with Residence Life, Campus Safety, the Title IX office, the case management team, and the Dean.
• Counseling: The Counseling Service assists students in resolving personal concerns and facilitates interpersonal Short-term individual and group counseling is offered on a confidential basis. Staff refer students to other campus services or to off-campus mental health professionals as appropriate to their needs.
• Nena Amundson Lifetime Wellness Program: The Wellness Program works with the entire college community to provide educational programs regarding a variety of health and wellness topics, focusing on fitness needs for students and employees, as well as general prevention issues. The program is committed to maintaining a healthy living/learning environment, based on a philosophy of appropriate, responsible, safe, and legal decision-making about personal wellness.
• Residence Life: The Residence Life program directly assists students in their learning/living environment, while maintaining safe and attractive facilities for student As students develop academic competencies, they are also learning how to handle life experiences, often in their first extended time away from home.
• Student Activities and College Union: The Student Activities program provides students with opportunities to engage in cultural, educational, social, and recreational activities, an integral part of the living/learning community at Luther. Students develop their talents and abilities in leadership and teamwork through their participation in the Student Activities Council (SAC); numerous student organizations, including interest-based, academic, and service-oriented groups; and a variety of student leadership programs.
• Student Health Service: During the academic year physicians and nursing staff at the Luther Clinic maintain regular office hours in an outpatient clinic operated by WinnMed, a regional health care provider.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and SKILLS:

The Dean of Students will bring deep experience engaging with college students coupled with a forward-looking lens, a strong work ethic, and a collegial spirit. The successful candidate will possess a master’s or doctoral degree in student development theory or a related field in student affairs, ideally with direct supervisory experience in one of the units reporting to the Dean. In addition, the ideal candidate will possess the following experiences and qualities:

• A record of progressive development in leadership with increasing levels of responsibility over time, including supervision of staff, budget management, and operational acumen;
• A deep passion for student life and the holistic student experience in and outside of the classroom, ideally with experience at a residential liberal arts college;
• Experience supporting student mental health, managing crises, guiding student activism, and demonstrating calm under pressure;
• A proven track record of success in driving inclusion and belonging efforts and dialoguing and engaging with students on these topics;
• A demonstrated ability to be both compassionate and firm in managing complex student issues and concerns in a changing environment;
• Approachability and accessibility to students and other campus constituents, with a passion for student engagement and student leadership development;
• Technological savvy coupled with a solid understanding of the role social media plays in students’ lives;
• An ability to build teams and to lead, inspire, mentor, and challenge staff;
• Inclusive decision-making skills with the capacity to build consensus, make difficult decisions when necessary, and communicate decisions in a timely way with clarity and care;
• Superb listening skills and an ease interacting in a multitude of settings with multiple constituencies;
• Integrity and trustworthiness;
• Awareness of best practices in student life and the major trends influencing the student experience and student success nationally, especially in residential colleges;
• Awareness and support of the College’s history and mission; and
• Excitement for engaging with Luther’s surrounding community and an appreciation for the high quality of life in a destination college town.