Associate Dean, Student Services & Support and Dean of Students, School of Law

University of Miami•Coral Gables, FL

About The Position

The University of Miami School of Law invites applications for the position of Associate Dean for Student Services & Support and Dean of Students. The Associate Dean for Student Services & Support serves as a senior leader within the University of Miami School of Law and provides visionary, student-centered leadership for key non-academic aspects of the law student experience. This role is a cornerstone of the Law School’s commitment to academic support and excellence, bar passage, innovation, belonging, personal and professional development, and community engagement. The Associate Dean for Student Services & Support and Dean of Students functions as both a source of support and accountability, ensuring consistent and fair policy enforcement while guiding students toward personal, academic, and professional growth. The position maintains a highly visible presence among students, fosters trust, and collaborates across the School of Law and the University to deliver coordinated, holistic student support. The role includes oversight of the following units: Student Affairs, Bar Success & Lawyering Excellence, Academic Achievement, Belonging, and Law Registrar, ensuring alignment among these units and the greater faculty and academic staff.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school; or an advanced degree in higher education, student affairs, or a related field.
Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs or higher education administration; experience in legal education strongly preferred.
Demonstrated leadership experience, including supervision of professional staff.
Experience with student conduct systems, crisis response, and student support services.
Strong interpersonal, communication, listening, and conflict-resolution skills.
Strong leadership skills that value and model collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
Ability to problem solve independently and manage sensitive matters with sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion.
Demonstrated commitment to student success, belonging, and inclusive excellence.
Ability to collaborate effectively and collegially across academic and administrative units in the School of Law and the University.
Expertise in federal regulations (i.e., FERPA, etc.), applicable accreditation standards, and best practices in legal education and higher education.

Responsibilities

Oversee all aspects of student services, including orientation, registration, academic advising, counseling, and graduation.
Serve as the primary advocate for student needs, ensuring policies and programs support a successful, engaged, and resilient student community.
Provide guidance on student academic progress, leaves of absence or other enrollment matters, accommodations, and disciplinary matters.
Develop and implement programs to promote professional identity formation, ethical responsibility, and leadership among students.
Partner with the Office of Career & Professional Development, Enrollment & Financial Aid, and other School of Law units to support holistic student development.
Coordinate student communications, including policy updates, community announcements, and event programming.
Represent the School of Law at institutional committees and external meetings related to student life and academic policy.
Serve as a key member of the School of Law’s leadership team representing all student-facing services, except for Career & Professional Development.
Lead the following units: Student Affairs, Bar Success & Lawyering Excellence, Academic Achievement, Belonging, and Law Registrar, ensuring that academic guidance is aligned with broader student success and development goals.
Lead and work closely with the leaders of the reporting units, including on effective and efficient staffing, budgeting, resource allocation, and compliance.
Work with the Data Hub to collect, analyze, and report data related to student services that inform school-wide planning and data-driven decision-making.
Contribute to accreditation, compliance, and institutional reporting.
Use assessment results to continuously improve student services, policies, and support.
Serve as a liaison and partner to University offices and external partners on matters affecting law students.
Work collaboratively with faculty, Admissions & Enrollment Management, Career & Professional Development, Data Hub, Associate Deans, and other School and University individuals and units to align student services and ensure an exceptional law student experience and a strong community of engagement, belonging, and professional development.
Provide strategic leadership for the Student Affairs functions, ensuring support that prioritizes student success, wellbeing, and professional development from admission through graduation.
Develop, lead, and oversee student life initiatives and programming, including orientation, leadership development programs, and community-building events.
Lead the development, communication, and consistent enforcement of policies governing law student enrollment including conduct, professionalism, academic standing, and requests for accommodations.
Manage student grievances and disciplinary matters, ensuring processes are clear, fair, and compliant with legal, institutional, and accreditation standards.
Regularly review and update the student handbook, honor code, and related policies in collaboration with faculty where applicable.
Manage crisis response and student conduct and grievance processes with sound judgment and in accordance with legal and institutional standards.
Provide student support and crisis intervention, coordinating closely with Counseling Services, Student Health Center, Accessibility Services, and other campus partners.
Collaborate with faculty and administrators on academic and conduct matters and student engagement initiatives.
Manage and advise student organizations, affinity groups, and student leaders to ensure compliance with institutional policies and to foster leadership development and inclusive engagement.
Maintain a visible, approachable presence on campus to foster trust, accessibility, and a strong sense of law school community.
Across units, promote and develop meaningful co-curricular and extracurricular engagement that enhances professional identity formation and student connection.