Assistant Dean of Student Services

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.

Overview:

The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University invites applications for an Assistant Dean of Student Services. Working closely with the Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs, the Assistant Dean of Student Services will play a pivotal role in fostering student success and enhancing the student experience. This position meets School and University initiatives related to student recruitment, retention and degree progression, as well as the University’s Strategic Goal to recruit and retain talented and diverse students who will graduate at a higher rate than our Quest peers and serve as leaders in a well-educated workforce. The Assistant Dean will lead initiatives that support student success and that ensure a welcoming environment for all students.

Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs, the Assistant Dean of Student Success will (1) manage the Office of Student Success, including, but not limited to, serving as the supervisor of the unit staff, instructor of record for the internship courses, leading current and developing additional flagship programs, executing career enhancement a professional development opportunities for students and maintaining oversight of career placement; (2) serve as the liaison to university strategic student retention, engagement and success initiatives such as REAL and major maps; (3) lead and oversee student learning outcomes and assessment practices across the school; (4) manage the student award and scholarship activities; (5) develop and oversee a Wilder School student council; (6) facilitate, in conjunction with the student service units and academic programs, the development and implementation of strategic student recruitment efforts; (7) work collectively and collaboratively with the student service units on activities to increase student retention; (8) serve as the school representative to appropriate university committees related to student recruitment, retention and engagement efforts; and (9) other duties as assigned, related to the engagement, recruitment and retention of our student body.

This is a staff administrative position without oversight or governance responsibilities of the school, supervision of faculty or academic related policies or regulations.

The Wilder School’s mission is to: 

• Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.

• Advance research that informs public policy and decision making to improve our communities.

• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance quality of life. 

The Wilder School's vision is to be the premier resource for public policy expertise and social equity in public safety, governance, and economic and community development. The 2024-2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 39. The School is also ranked No. 6 in Homeland Security Programs and No. 33 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,500 students and more than 11,000 alumni, with an established environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions. 

Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities and experience necessary for success.

For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at wilder.vcu.edu.

Key Responsibilities/Duties

Student Support and Advocacy:

• Serve as the supervisor of Office for Student Success (OSS) unit staff.
• Serve as the instructor of record for the Wilder School internship courses. 
• Lead current and develop additional flagship programs that provide career enhancement and professional development opportunities for students and maintain oversight of career placement.
• Facilitate, in conjunction with the student service units and academic programs, the development and implementation of strategic student recruitment efforts.
• Provide advocacy and frontline support to students, assisting with problem-solving and addressing challenges.
• Oversee the development and implementation of programs and services that support student engagement and well-being.
• Manage and enhance services for underrepresented student populations, ensuring equitable access to resources.
  

Program Development and Assessment & Evaluation:

• Design and implement innovative initiatives aimed at improving student retention, community engagement, and overall success.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to develop co-curricular and extracurricular programming that promotes student involvement and personal growth.
• Conduct assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of student services and programs, utilizing data-driven methods to inform decisions.
• Prepare reports and presentations on program outcomes to share with stakeholders and guide future initiatives.

Collaboration and Leadership:

• Work closely with the Dean’s office, faculty, and other campus departments to foster a culture of inclusion and support.
• Represent the Wilder School on university committees and initiatives focused on promoting diversity and student success.
• Collaborate with campus-wide support services to ensure comprehensive care for students facing challenges.
  

Other Duties:

• Participate in university-wide events and initiatives that enhance the student experience.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• PhD in higher education, student affairs, counseling, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of professional skills and/or experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in student services or higher education administration.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating the recruitment, retention and engagement of students.
• Previous student advising experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Demonstrated experience in creating and facilitating internships.
• Experience developing strategic student recruitment plans.
• Experience with student recruitment assessment and evaluation tools.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience supervising professional staff, part-time employees, and student workers. 
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment while managing multiple priorities effectively.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student environment or commitment to do so at VCU.

Typical Physical and Cognitive Requirements

Physical Demands and Activities (Essential):

• Light lifting (<20 lbs.)
• Pushing/pulling
• Standing
• Sitting
• Emotional Demands (Essential):
• Fast pace/Average pace
• Multiple stimuli
• Frequent change
• Intense customer interaction

Mental/Sensory Demands (Essential):

• Memory
• Reading
• Reasoning
• Hearing
• Logic
• Analyzing
• Verbal communication
• Written Communication

Application Process/Other Information

All applications should include a cover letter, a detailed resume, and the names and contact information of three professional references. 

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with priority review beginning Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

“Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability”.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications for the Assistant Dean of Student Services position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties that may be assigned, and responsibilities may change as necessary to meet the needs of the Wilder School and VCU.

Dr. Robyn McDougle
rdmcdougle@vcu.edu
804-828-2759