What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Dean of First-Year Experience position at Washington and Lee University?
The Assistant Dean of First-Year Experience serves as a key member of the Student Affairs leadership team and works closely with all levels of staff, numerous student leaders, and members of the Washington and Lee University (W&L) community. As a member of the First-Year Experience team, the assistant dean assists with the coordination, implementation and assessment of student affairs programming for new student orientation and programs, including primary facilitation and coordination of the Leading Edge experiences.
Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible
At W&L, the Assistant Dean of First-Year Experience plays a pivotal role in shaping the transition and success of first-year students. This position offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with students, faculty, and staff in a supportive and engaging community. With a focus on student development, leadership training, and program coordination, the role is dynamic, rewarding, and central to the university’s commitment to holistic student support.
W&L is located in Lexington, Virginia, a charming and historic town nestled in the Shenandoah Valley. The university fosters a welcoming and collegial environment, offering professional development opportunities, great benefits, and a strong sense of community. Lexington’s picturesque setting provides easy access to outdoor adventures such as hiking, kayaking, and cycling, while cities like Roanoke, Charlottesville, and Harrisonburg are just a short drive away. Visit
jobs.wlu.edu
to learn more about working at W&L, our benefits, community, and living in the area.
Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and welcoming environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.
Essential Functions:
- Responsible for student development and holistic support for W&L first-year students
- Assists the FY team with planning, coordination and shared partnership for the University’s orientation programs for first‐year students
- Provides training sessions for Leading Edge student trip leaders and assists with recruitment and management of Orientation and Leading Edge student staff
- Works with Leading Edge trip coordinators to ensure the needs of the program and the coordinators are mutually met. Provides any needed training and assistance to trip coordinators
- Serves as the Student Affairs staff International Education liaison for international students
- Assists the FYE team, Admissions, Financial Aid, ITS, academic units and student service units to develop and coordinate comprehensive communication for new students and their families
- Evaluates processes and delivery of orientation programs
- Maintains current knowledge of instructional methods and new technologies pertinent to assigned programs, especially the development and instruction of FYE 100
- Serves as a contact for key unit stakeholders and develops partnerships for first-year experience programs and initiatives
- Collaborates with undergraduate Resident Adviser staff that support first-year programs and initiatives
- Supports additional departmental program and care initiatives when feasible; including, AIM, LEAD, OIE, and other programs as assigned.
- Works with the Office of Sustainability and Residence Life and Housing on student engagement and sustainability programming in the residence halls.
- Actively participates in meetings, committees, new initiatives, student affairs programs, and professional staff on-call rotation
- Develops positive and collaborative work relationships with students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, parents, and community members
- Creates and implements needs-based and pertinent programming for undergraduate first-year students. Serves as a catalyst for ideas pertaining to campus-based program initiatives, collaborating with Student Affairs professionals, University staff, and faculty in the development of new and creative FY programs and initiatives
- Member of the Assessment and Care Team (ACT), advising and offering resource-referral to students in need of additional support. Maintains up-to-date ACT records and attends regularly scheduled ACT meetings
- Prepares reports and provides information related to programs, assessment, budget, and matters pertaining to first-year students
- Communicates consistently and effectively with student leaders. Upholds and interprets University policy in an effort to educate students in a consistent manner
- Serves as an advocate and resource for first-year students and other undergraduate students
- Participates in professional development activities on and off campus
- Coordinates with Student Affairs administrative staff to ensure projects, events and daily activities are known and well-orchestrated
- Advises various student organizations and assists in managing concerns through solutions and interventions when appropriate
- Represents Senior Associate Dean/Dean of First-Year Experience at meetings and events as delegated
- Additional/other related duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Counseling, Higher Education Administration, Student Personnel Services or related field or the equivalent is required.
- Four or more years of professional experience beyond the master’s or equivalent degree, or significant experience with college student issues, learning and development is desired.
- Must be available to work occasional evening and weekend hours, as well as serve as professional staff member on-call periodically each term.
- Common application knowledge or technical skills include: Windows operating system, Workday, database management, website design, and Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook). Must have the ability to learn these and other technical skills.
- Analytical skills required include budget management, reporting, and data analysis.
Minimum Pay: $70,388 - Pay Commensurate with Experience
Application Instructions:
Review of applications will begin on April 21st and continue until the position is filled. Please upload a resume and cover letter in your application. You will be asked to provide names and contact information for three professional references.
Application instructions for internal and external candidates can be found at
https://www.wlu.edu/employment-opportunities/jobs-at-w-l
.
Campus Safety and Welfare Responsibilities:
- This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) in accordance with the Clery Act. This position is required to report Clery qualifying crimes to the Department of Public Safety and complete annual training about your reporting responsibilities under the law.
Physical Requirements:
- Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
- Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
- Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
Working Conditions: The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
Types of Work: Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Position Type:
Washington and Lee is an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking candidates committed to high standards of scholarship, performance, professionalism, and to a welcoming campus community. Job description requirements are representative, but not all‐inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and abilities needed to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Salary : $70,388
