Dean of Student Services

Lower Columbia College • Longview, WA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Lower Columbia College seeks a strategic, dynamic Dean of Student Services to provide innovative leadership for student services departments and programs and oversee daily operations, fostering a student-centered experience. This role drives initiatives across the entire student lifecycle, including onboarding, registration, retention, persistence, and degree completion. Collaborating closely with academic leadership, faculty, and other divisions, the Dean integrates human and technological resources with strategic partnerships to support student achievement and well-being. This position also serves as the institution's Conduct Review Officer and oversees Commencement.

Requirements

• Master's degree in student services administration, counseling, educational administration, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Three years of student services leadership experience in higher education
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with a proven ability to articulate complex concepts clearly across diverse audiences.
• Strong personnel management skills, including the ability to manage multiple functions and organize financial and human resources to meet goals and objectives
• Proven track record of collaborating across teams to support and empower demographically and academically diverse student populations.
• Experienced strategic and proactive problem solver who actively identifies inefficiencies, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
• Proficient in modern software tools with a proven ability to learn and master new technologies quickly.

Nice To Haves

• More than three years of student services leadership experience in higher education, including experience supervising teams.
• Experience in budget oversight and financial management.
• Experience with data analysis and reporting.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws affecting higher education, particularly student service areas.
• Demonstrated experience implementing student success programs involving multiple departments.
• Experience serving on a student conduct board or participating in student grievance and disciplinary proceedings.
• Background in and/or knowledge of strategic enrollment management processes.
• Experience in Student Services in Washington State and the Community and Technical College System.
• Experience with ctcLink/PeopleSoft.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, strategic planning, and supervision for Student Services areas.
• Create and sustain a positive, inclusive work environment that supports staff growth, accountability, and professional development; model high standards of professionalism and ethical leadership.
• Recruit, hire, mentor, supervise, and evaluate staff.
• Oversee and continuously improve an integrated, collaborative, and holistic onboarding and student support model aligned with Guided Pathways and other best practices.
• Collaborate with instruction and student services leaders to design and implement evidence-based, data-driven, high-impact practices that improve student satisfaction, retention, persistence, and completion.
• Serve as the College’s designated Student Conduct Officer, adjudicate student appeals and grievances, and enforce the Student Code of Conduct in all academic student discipline issues.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations affecting Student Services (e.g., ADA, FERPA, Title IX).
• Serve on LCC’s Title IX Team.
• Oversee co-curricular student activities operations to foster an inclusive, vibrant community.
• Ensure student services and programs address current and emerging student needs, including basic needs support and mental health services.
• Direct and oversee all operational logistics, cross-departmental coordination, and program execution for annual Commencement ceremony.
• Oversee the effective use of the College’s student success management platform/s (e.g., EAB Navigate 360) and champion increased utilization by staff and faculty.
• Use technology and data to analyze and interpret enrollment, retention, and student success metrics to inform continuous improvement.
• Lead ongoing review and improvement of Student Services processes, procedures, and policies to improve efficiency, access, service delivery, and adherence to accreditation standards.
• Monitor department and project budgets; develop annual budget requests and participate in the College budgeting process.
• Compile student outcome and other required reports for the Vice President, the Executive Leadership Team, and external entities.
• Represent Lower Columbia College in the community; serve on campus committees and state-level work groups; participate in professional development and regional or statewide initiatives.
• Build and maintain partnerships with K–12 districts, higher education institutions, workforce partners, social service agencies, and health organizations to support educational access and student success.

Benefits

• The minimum qualifications may seem specific and limiting, but we do consider candidates with relatable education, experience, and skills. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet exactly what's listed. With questions about qualifications, feel free to reach out to our HR team.

What This Job Offers

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