What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Dean of Student Success position at Vanderbilt University?
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job DescriptionThe Associate Dean of Student Success is a member of the Dean's senior leadership team at Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management. This role develops and implements a comprehensive student success strategy across the entire student lifecycle, from matriculation to graduation, including alumni engagement.
This strategy must create a generative and collaborative environment that supports students throughout their academic and professional journey, facilitating a smooth transition for newly enrolled students, emphasizing holistic development, ensuring a seamless transition to the next phase of students' careers, and maintaining strong connections with alumni to provide continued support for their professional growth.
The Associate Dean leads an exceptional student experience for full-time graduate students across multiple degree programs and undergraduate students enrolled in the Hoogland Undergraduate Business Minor. This position oversees several key student-facing departments, including Academic and Student Affairs, Career Management Center, Leadership Development Program, and other student-focused centers, each contributing to a comprehensive and integrated support network provided to students.
The Associate Dean coordinates and leads cross-functional collaboration among these student-facing departments, working collaboratively with school and university constituents in areas such as student care and engagement, career management, student programming, and initiatives to enhance a wide-ranging student experience, personal and professional development, and community building.
About the Work Unit
Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management is a professional school located in Nashville, Tennessee, focused on graduate-level business education. Our mission is to create opportunities for our faculty, staff, and students to discover, grow, and thrive in business and beyond. We recognize discovery in traditional forms, such as scholarly research, intellectual curiosity, and curricular learning, but also celebrate unique discoveries lived through a desire to connect with others, find meaning in work and relationships, and create something new. We see transformation as foundational.Duties and Responsibilities
- Directs and oversees various departments and programs supporting student success and personal and professional development throughout their academic journey at Owen and beyond graduation.
- Develops a comprehensive student success strategy aligning with the student body profile and their leadership and career development goals, in conjunction with the Dean and Associate Dean of Academic Programs.
- Utilizes data-driven analyses to continuously evaluate student programs and services, identify areas for improvement, and drive student growth and innovation.
- Synchronizes services and programming offered by student-facing departments to ensure a holistic approach to the student experience.
- Collaborates with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders to create and implement strategies enhancing student success, satisfaction, and outcomes.
- Develops and maintains strong relationships with students, providing mentorship and support for their academic and personal well-being throughout their academic and professional journeys.
- Works closely with the Development and Alumni Relations office to mobilize the Owen alumni network in support of current students' success and alumni engagement.
- Promotes a growth mindset among students, encouraging them to embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and strive for continuous personal and professional growth.
- Represents the school in internal and external engagements and serves as an advocate for current student success initiatives and their evolution.
- Establishes and implements short- and long-range departmental goals, objectives, policies, budgets, and operating procedures.
Supervisory Relationships
The Associate Dean reports to the Dean of the Owen Graduate School of Management, overseeing directors and their teams for Academic and Student Affairs, Career Management Center, Leadership Development Program, and other student-focused centers.Education, Qualifications, and Experience
- A master's degree from an accredited institution is necessary, with a strong preference for those with a master's degree in business, higher education administration, or a closely related field.
- A minimum of eight to ten years of progressive experience at an academic institution and a demonstrated track record of success in student affairs, academic advising, or a similar role in a graduate or professional school setting.
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a highly productive, change-oriented, and research-oriented academic community.
- Ability to be a team player and work collaboratively with Owen students, faculty, and staff.
- Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to manage a team of professionals with varied backgrounds.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with students, faculty, and external partners.
- Commitment to fostering an environment supporting the holistic development of students, faculty, and staff.
- Ability to adapt to change and embrace new approaches to enhance the student experience.
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