Dean of First Year Students

Wellesley College • Wellesley, MA

19d • $93,000 - $106,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Dean of First-Year Students is responsible for onboarding new students and ensuring they are aware of and understand academic policies and procedures. This involves engaging students in academic advising from orientation through their first-year. The First Year Dean also supports the Director of Orientation and Transition Programs with creating the schedule and programs for New Student Orientation, The Dean also counsels first-year students about academic decisions and policies, helps them develop meaningful academic plans, and works collaboratively with campus colleagues, including first-year faculty advisors, as students establish and evaluate their educational goals. The FY Dean also collaborates closely with other offices that engage in first-year support and programming such as the Office of Student Success, Harambee House, Acorns House, Slater International, and the Office of Inclusion and Engagement.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in higher education, counseling, or related field required; PhD preferred.
• Five to seven years of advising and related work in a higher education setting required, preferably working with first-year students and other students in transition. Experience with New Student Orientation programming is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and assess programming that supports the overall academic achievement of today’s students, with a focus on first-year students.
• Demonstrated knowledge of college student and young adult development.
• Philosophical and practical understanding of issues related to a women’s college.
• Commitment to, and understanding and experience of, issues relevant to a multicultural, global community.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and a demonstrated ability to develop positive working relationships with students, parents, faculty members, and other campus stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Director fo Orientation and Transition Programs, the FY dean is responsible for: Program Development and Coordination Design, implement, and assess initiatives that support the academic and social transition of first-year students, including orientation programs, community-building events, and partnerships with campus offices.
• Student Engagement and Retention Develop proactive outreach strategies to foster student belonging, engagement, and persistence through the first year, with attention to diverse student experiences and needs.
• Campus Collaboration and Partnership Building Serve as a central connector among academic departments, student support offices, and faculty to align first-year initiatives with institutional goals for student success.
• Assessment and Continuous Improvement Collect and analyze data on first-year student experiences and outcomes to inform decision-making, improve programs, and contribute to institutional reports and planning.
• First-Year Student Advising: Advises first-year students, individually and as a class, about making the transition to college-level academics, understanding the Wellesley curriculum and degree requirements, and utilizing campus resources in pursuit of their academic goals. Works with the Provost Office to inform the FY Advisors of current policies and ensures that students are connecting with their FY Advisors. Provides training and support to Faculty FY advisors
• New Student Orientation: Is a key member of the New Student Orientation Core Team and supervises and supports the Director of Orientation and Transition Programs in designing and implementing New Student Orientation. Assists in the interviewing, onboarding, and supervision of the Orientation Coordinators and Orientation Mentors Oversees all academic pieces of new student orientation, including the Entering Student Checklist Assists the Director of Orientation and Transition Programs in whatever manner is needed for the smooth planning and implementation of New Student Orientation
• Retention and Student Success Support: Works with campus partners such as the Office of Student Success, Cultural Houses, Slater International, and Career Education year-round to assist in the onboarding and advising of first-year students. Collects and maintains data related to first-year student retention and uses the data to inform best practices in advising. Serves on the College’s Retention Committee
• With the assistance of LTS, manage the creation and implementation of the Entering Student Checklist for first-year, transfer, and exchange students.
• Provide academic advising and transition support to a class of 600+ first-year students on such issues as selecting courses, utilizing campus resources to support academic progress, degree requirements, and learning to navigate the College environment.
• Along with other Class Deans, counsel students in academic difficulty, work as a liaison between individual students and faculty, and interpret academic legislation.
• Assist in the annual process of planning and implementing New Student Orientation, which involves development of a theme and logo, providing co-leadership to the Orientation planning committee, engagement of faculty and other campus partners, recruitment of student Orientation coordinators, and providing direction for the production of Orientation publications and materials.
• Supervise the Director of Orientation and Transition Programs in the development and coordination of the Orientation Mentor Program, recruitment and supervision of Student Orientation Coordinators, and other initiatives to support new students in their transition to the College.
• In conjunction with the Associate Dean of Students for Academic Integration and Advising and the Dean of Faculty, help to coordinate, assess and support faculty advising for first-year students.
• Serve on key College-wide committees, including, but not limited to the Academic Review Board, Admission and Financial Aid, and other committees as assigned by the Associate Dean of Students for Academic Integration and Advising.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation
• Exceptional Benefits Package: Access a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision and pre-tax saving benefits, life insurance, disability coverage, and more to safeguard your health and that of your loved ones.
• Commuting and Transportation: Enjoy the convenience of free parking on our picturesque campus, easily accessible from major roadways. We are also accessible via the MBTA commuter rail.
• Paid Time Off: Take advantage of paid vacations, personal days, sick time, and holidays to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life harmony.
• Retirement Savings: Plan for the future with our retirement savings plan. Wellesley College contributes up to 10.5% towards your 403(b) plan for eligible employees
• Work/Life and Wellness: A hybrid work environment for select positions (additional details will be provided during the interview process), caregiving support through Wellthy, legal plan insurance, pet insurance discount and a variety of other resources including retirement planning, and access to cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
• Professional Development: Enhance your skills and explore growth opportunities through continuing training and pathways for growth within our supportive environment.
• Tuition and Education Benefits: Invest in your education with tuition benefits, and access resources to navigate student loan forgiveness, reinforcing our commitment to your ongoing learning.
• Campus Privileges: Enjoy free use of our state-of-the-art athletic and fitness facilities with onsite fitness classes, Library resources, and seize opportunities to attend diverse campus events that contribute to a vibrant community.

What This Job Offers

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