Assistant Dean for Student Success

City University of New York • New York, NY

39d • $150,000 - $175,000

About The Position

Reporting to the Dean of the School of Education, the Assistant Dean for Student Success provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight of student support and engagement initiatives across the school. This includes academic advising, student recruitment, certification and licensure preparation, scholarship administration, enrollment management, new student orientation, student retention efforts, and policy implementation. As a member of the school's senior leadership team, the Assistant Dean is responsible for developing and sustaining a student-centered infrastructure that fosters equity, belonging, and success. The Assistant Dean leads the Offices of Admissions and Recruitment, and Academic and Student Affairs, collaborates closely with faculty and staff, and works directly with students to address challenges, enhance engagement, and maximize educational opportunities. Additional responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to: + Lead and advance a strategic vision for equity-centered student support services and programming that promotes inclusive excellence, strengthens enrollment, and improves retention and graduation outcomes. + Provide strategic oversight for graduate recruitment and retention initiatives, including outreach communications, information sessions, certification workshops, academic progress interventions, re-engagement campaigns, and orientation activities. + Drive data-informed decision-making and collaborate with faculty and administrative partners to strengthen admissions and enrollment efforts across all programs. + Oversee the administration of the awarding of school- and department-level scholarships in alignment with institutional priorities. + Direct and support faculty and staff advising teams to ensure effective academic advising aligned with students' registration, degree progress, and professional goals. + Advise students within the School of Education in an effort to resolve complex student issues, utilizing discretion and judgment while referring students to appropriate college resources. + Interpret and communicate academic and student policies to diverse audiences, guiding faculty, staff, and students in understanding and upholding expectations. + Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of digital student success platforms, including but not limited to DegreeWorks, Coursedog, Navigate, Slate, and the School of Education website. + Monitor national best practices in academic advising, student engagement, and student success, and apply emerging trends to enhance school-wide initiatives. + Partner with the Executive Assistant to the Dean for Administration to oversee undergraduate and graduate course scheduling, ensuring alignment with degree requirements and efficient use of resources. + Collaborate with the Associate Dean to implement and monitor new and revised academic programs. + Oversee the review and approval of student academic requests, such as transfer credits, course waivers, degree requirement exemptions, and grade changes. + Manages the appointment of new staff, Staff supervision, conduct performance evaluations, and developing continuous learning and development opportunities. + Foster professional growth through mentoring, team-building initiatives, and participation in training and development opportunities. + Represent the School of Education on college-wide committees and advocate for resources aligned with student and institutional priorities. + Perform additional duties as assigned by the Dean.

Requirements

• This position is in CUNY's Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
• At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration, with demonstrated leadership in student services or co-curricular programs.
• Strong understanding of academic programs, policies, and operations within a large, public university system.
• Proven experience in project and budget management.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with discretion and professionalism.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and strategic planning skills, including the ability to interpret data and present insights in clear, actionable formats.
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously while fostering collaboration, solving problems, and navigating complex institutional systems.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and student-centered leadership.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a strong record of leading and supporting diverse teams in dynamic environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and advance a strategic vision for equity-centered student support services and programming that promotes inclusive excellence, strengthens enrollment, and improves retention and graduation outcomes.
• Provide strategic oversight for graduate recruitment and retention initiatives, including outreach communications, information sessions, certification workshops, academic progress interventions, re-engagement campaigns, and orientation activities.
• Drive data-informed decision-making and collaborate with faculty and administrative partners to strengthen admissions and enrollment efforts across all programs.
• Oversee the administration of the awarding of school- and department-level scholarships in alignment with institutional priorities.
• Direct and support faculty and staff advising teams to ensure effective academic advising aligned with students' registration, degree progress, and professional goals.
• Advise students within the School of Education in an effort to resolve complex student issues, utilizing discretion and judgment while referring students to appropriate college resources.
• Interpret and communicate academic and student policies to diverse audiences, guiding faculty, staff, and students in understanding and upholding expectations.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of digital student success platforms, including but not limited to DegreeWorks, Coursedog, Navigate, Slate, and the School of Education website.
• Monitor national best practices in academic advising, student engagement, and student success, and apply emerging trends to enhance school-wide initiatives.
• Partner with the Executive Assistant to the Dean for Administration to oversee undergraduate and graduate course scheduling, ensuring alignment with degree requirements and efficient use of resources.
• Collaborate with the Associate Dean to implement and monitor new and revised academic programs.
• Oversee the review and approval of student academic requests, such as transfer credits, course waivers, degree requirement exemptions, and grade changes.
• Manages the appointment of new staff, Staff supervision, conduct performance evaluations, and developing continuous learning and development opportunities.
• Foster professional growth through mentoring, team-building initiatives, and participation in training and development opportunities.
• Represent the School of Education on college-wide committees and advocate for resources aligned with student and institutional priorities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Dean.

Benefits

• CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development.
• We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off.
• Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees