Associate VP for Student Affairs, Dean of Students

MSU Internal Job Postings Details • East Lansing, MI

12h

About The Position

The Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students (AVP/DoS) serves as a key member of the Vice President for Student Affairs’ senior leadership team and is one of the university’s most visible student-facing leaders. This role provides strategic direction for student advocacy, care, accountability, engagement, and crisis response. As Dean of Students, you will lead a comprehensive portfolio that touches nearly every aspect of student life- from student conduct and crisis management to fraternity and sorority life, student engagement, major campus traditions, and student organization support. You will serve as a steady and strategic institutional leader during critical and complex student situations, ensuring responses are timely, coordinated, trauma-informed, and aligned with university values.

Requirements

• Master's in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or a related field.
• 7 to 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in student affairs or a closely related area within higher education.
• Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating institutional responses to student-related crises and critical incidents.
• Significant experience overseeing comprehensive student services, including student conduct, expressive activities, and student and family support programs.
• Strong understanding of institutional policies, regulatory requirements, and applicable laws impacting student affairs.
• Proven ability to advance student success, well-being, and community standards through impactful programs and services.
• Extensive experience leading large teams, managing complex budgets, and overseeing multifaceted operations.
• Exceptional communication, political acumen, and the ability to navigate complex organizational environments.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with academic partners and senior university leadership.

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate in related field.
• Experience in a large, research-intensive university environment.
• Knowledge of student conduct processes, CARE/BIT models, threat assessment protocols, and risk management.
• Experience leading organizational change initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams through mentoring and feedback.
• Experience overseeing large student-serving facilities such as unions or student services buildings.
• Prior experience serving as a Dean of Students, Associate/Assistant Vice President, or comparable executive leader.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager