Dean of Students

University of St Thomas•St. Paul, MN

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Dean of Students provides strategic leadership for student development and success by integrating academic and cocurricular experiences within the context of Catholic higher education. Serving as the primary advocate for students, the Dean creates an inclusive environment that fosters personal growth, accountability, civic engagement, and community participation aligned with the Principles of Good Practice for Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities. This senior leadership role oversees key programs within Student Affairs, including Student Diversity and Inclusion Services, Off-Campus Student Life, First-Gen Tommies, and the Karon Veterans Resource Center, and directly supervises the Dean of Students Office staff. The Dean leads the university's student accountability system, conflict resolution and restorative justice efforts, provides leadership for the university’s emergency and crisis response efforts, behavioral intervention processes, and collaborates closely with campus partners to support student well-being, safety, and success. The Dean fosters an atmosphere of mutual respect, cultural humility, and collective engagement while maintaining current knowledge of higher education law and best practices, including student conduct, Title IX, Clery, and student support. This position requires exceptional judgment, collaborative leadership, and the ability to balance student advocacy with institutional accountability. The Dean serves as a visible and engaged representative of the Division of Student Affairs by maintaining a flexible schedule that includes evenings, weekends; responding to campus emergencies as needed; and participating in university and community events.

Requirements

Master's degree (M.A./M.S./M.Ed.) in Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel, Student Development, Counseling, or closely related field
Minimum of ten years of progressive leadership experience in higher education student affairs
At least five years in senior leadership roles with significant supervisory responsibility
Demonstrated experience in budget administration, crisis management, student conduct, and policy development

Nice To Haves

Doctoral degree (Ph.D./Ed.D.) in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or related field
Experience in Catholic higher education or mission-driven institutions
Experience supervising multiple departments or functional areas

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Dean of Students Office and key Student Affairs areas, including Student Diversity and Inclusion Services, Off-Campus Student Life, First-Gen Tommies, and the Karon Veterans Resource Center.
Directly supervise and evaluate four professional staff members.
Lead Student Affairs efforts related to student civic and democratic engagement, including voter education and engagement initiatives, in collaboration with campus partners.
Provide leadership for Dean of Students Office involvement in proactive neighborhood relations, community engagement, and student education efforts related to off-campus impacts and shared community expectations.
Lead efforts to address student basic needs by coordinating support related to food insecurity, emergency grant assistance, and other essential resource needs that affect student well-being and retention.
Develop and implement strategic initiatives that advance the Division of Student Affairs and university-wide priorities.
Stay current with trends, legislation, and legal issues in higher education, particularly regarding student conduct, Title IX, and Clery Act.
Oversee comprehensive student conduct system including conflict resolution, conduct adjudication, bias incident response involving students, restorative justice practices, and grievance processes for undergraduate and most graduate students.
Make final decisions on suspension and expulsion cases; ensure due process and procedural fairness.
Expand and strengthen conflict resolution pathways for students through restorative practices, educational interventions, and alternative dispute resolution options, as appropriate.
Collaborate closely with Academic Affairs on student-related issues that intersect academic and behavioral concerns.
Provide leadership and guidance on student behavior issues related to demonstrations, protest activity, and free expression, in partnership with Academic Affairs, Public Safety, General Counsel, and other university stakeholders.
Serve as primary advocate for students while maintaining accountability systems that support personal growth.
Co-chair University Action and Response Team (UART), as assigned, for crisis preparedness and emergency response.
Chair the Behavior Intervention Team (BIT) and oversight of CARE team processes to assess, coordinate, and respond to students of concern.
Provide leadership in student crisis situations requiring immediate intervention, coordination, or communication, and family notification.
Consult regularly with the Title IX Coordinator regarding student-related reports and cases; collaborate on implementation of interim supportive measures, safety planning, and response protocols; ensure Dean of Students Office staff are trained as mandatory reporters.
Serve as designated Campus Security Authority (CSA); ensure timely reporting of Clery-reportable crimes; train staff on CSA responsibilities; contribute to Annual Security Report development.
Lead the review, revision, and implementation of student-related policies and procedures to ensure alignment with institutional priorities, regulatory requirements, and current higher education best practices.
Develop and implement Student Affairs compliance policies; consult with General Counsel on legal matters.
Lead data-informed decision-making and ensure staff effectively utilize key platforms, including Salesforce (CRM), Symplicity, and the institutional transition to Workday (ERM), to enhance service delivery, data-informed decision-making, and student support outcomes.
Develop measurable learning outcomes for Dean of Students programs.
Benchmark programs against best practices at peer Catholic institutions; conduct annual assessment and data analysis.
Oversee departmental key performance indicators (KPIs) and strategic planning processes.
Serve as primary advocate for students, ensuring their voices are heard in institutional decision-making and connecting them to resources for academic, personal, and spiritual development.
Partner with university stakeholders to educate students on rights, responsibilities, and community expectations related to demonstrations, civic participation, and free expression.
Build collaborative partnerships between Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, faculty, and student organizations.
Facilitate integration of mission and the Principles of Good Practice for Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities into student development practices.
Oversee budget planning, development, and administration for Dean of Students Office and supervised departments.
Manage policy development, student/family communications, and public speaking engagements.
Partner with university stakeholders to educate students on rights, responsibilities, and community expectations related to demonstrations, civic participation, and free expression.
Supervise hiring, training, and professional development of staff.
Represent Division of Student Affairs in communications with parents, alumni, and external constituencies.
Serve on Student Life Committee and university-wide committees as assigned.
Partner with university stakeholders to educate students on rights, responsibilities, and community expectations related to demonstrations, civic participation, and free expression.
Lead cross-functional university initiatives that advance student success and institutional priorities.
Participate in search committees and ad hoc committees as assigned.