Assistant Dean for Resources

Brown University•Providence, RI

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

As an innovative, collaborative, and deeply empathetic leader operating in close partnership with the Associate Dean/Director, the Assistant Dean for Resources serves as a critical operational anchor and direct student advocate within the Brown Office of Resource, Support and Engagement (Brown RiSE). Following the responsive, identity-conscious care models previously established on campus, this role uniquely blends high-touch, non-clinical case management with immediate resource mobilization to provide seamless navigation for undergraduate, graduate, and medical students, as well as faculty and staff experiencing complex, layered trauma. The Assistant Dean is an accessible point person tasked with executing the daily intake workflows, triage frameworks, and proactive outreach pipelines of the office. While working under the direct supervision and strategic case-consultation of the Director/Associate Dean, the Assistant Dean holds primary operational ownership over the day-to-day student support portfolio, directly coordinating with campus partners, including Student Support Services (SSS), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and Student Accessibility Services (SAS), to bridge the gap between clinical mental health treatment and practical academic accommodations. Additionally, the Assistant Dean leads the development and implementation of localized educational materials and practical training sessions to institutionalize trauma-informed care practices across the university ecosystem. This is a three-year, term-limited appointment ending on June 30, 2029, with the potential for extension based on institutional funding and ongoing community needs.

Requirements

Master’s degree required in Higher Education Administration, Social Work (MSW), Counseling, Human Services, or a closely related field.
4 to 6 years of progressive, professional experience in student support administration, crisis response, academic advising, or case management within a higher education environment.
Documented experience operating within a trauma-informed care framework, with a deep understanding of how local, systemic, and geopolitical trauma uniquely impact a diverse, international student body.
Advanced interpersonal communication skills characterized by deep empathy, active listening, and clarity; ability to explain complex institutional processes and options to distressed students and families in an easily digestible, reassuring manner.
Proficiency in documenting highly sensitive case narratives clearly and objectively, alongside the ability to write persuasive, professional structural outreach communications for faculty and matrixed campus partners.
Exceptional capacity to practice an empathetic, collaborative, and student-centered approach to care while effectively utilizing Dean-level authority to remove administrative barriers.
Strong organizational and administrative skills with demonstrated experience managing sensitive workflows, intakes, or digital tracking systems under strict compliance guidelines (e.g., FERPA).
Superb interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Must demonstrate a high degree of emotional intelligence and psychological endurance.
Commitment to utilizing professional self-care frameworks is mandatory.

Responsibilities

Serves as a critical operational anchor and direct student advocate within the Brown Office of Resource, Support and Engagement (Brown RiSE).
Blends high-touch, non-clinical case management with immediate resource mobilization to provide seamless navigation for undergraduate, graduate, and medical students, as well as faculty and staff experiencing complex, layered trauma.
Executes the daily intake workflows, triage frameworks, and proactive outreach pipelines of the office.
Holds primary operational ownership over the day-to-day student support portfolio.
Directly coordinates with campus partners, including Student Support Services (SSS), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and Student Accessibility Services (SAS), to bridge the gap between clinical mental health treatment and practical academic accommodations.
Leads the development and implementation of localized educational materials and practical training sessions to institutionalize trauma-informed care practices across the university ecosystem.