Executive Dean of Advising & Student Success

Skagit Valley College•Mount Vernon, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Dean of Advising and Student Success provides high-level leadership for advising and retention efforts and programs at Skagit Valley College. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Student Services, this position is responsible for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of comprehensive integrated advising and retention practices and supports that advance student success at SVC. The position provides executive-level collaborative efforts to align practices with institutional priorities, evidence-based student success frameworks, and data-informed decision-making to improve the student experience and student success outcomes. The Executive Dean of Advising and Student Success oversees student-focused departments and support programs providing advising and retention efforts that support student success, including the Counseling and Advising Center, TRiO, Disability Access Services, Maestros del Pueblo, Cardinal Achievement Program, and the Diversity Center. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position working 40 hours per week, 12 months a year. This position works on-site at the Mount Vernon Campus in Washington.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Higher Education, Education, Leadership, Management, Student Development, or related field;
At least five (5) years of progressive administrative leadership experience in higher education, including responsibility for leading complex student success or advising operations and managing programs that span multiple departments or functional areas;
At least three (3) years of demonstrated experience advancing student success at scale, with expertise in one or more of the following: holistic or appreciative advising models; career and academic counseling; transfer pathways and articulations; student development and retention strategies; TRiO; Disability Services; and Equity & Inclusion;
At least three (3) years of supervisory experience of full-time professional staff and/or faculty;
Experience using data, assessment, and student success technologies to improve persistence and completion outcomes;

Nice To Haves

Experience with Guided Pathways or other student success models, theoretical frameworks, and research-based outcomes;
Experience leading college-wide advising or retention initiatives;
Experience using PeopleSoft/ctcLink, EAB Navigate360, Starfish, or other student management or student success technology tools;
Multilingual in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Provide executive-level leadership for SVC's comprehensive advising and retention practices and programs to effectively support student onboarding, progress, persistence, and completion, ensuring alignment with SVC’s Strategic Plan and student success initiatives;
Develop and implement a vision and framework for a college-advising model, including strategies that improve first-quarter enrollment, retention, persistence, graduation, transfer, and career readiness, and overall student success;
Collaborate with Academic Affairs to design, implement, and regularly evaluate a faculty advising model;
Lead, design, implement, and manage comprehensive training programs and initiatives to promote best practices in new student onboarding, advising, retention, and support strategies that advance student success and organizational effectiveness;
Utilize institutional data, assessment findings, and emerging trends to inform strategic decision-making and establish priorities;
Provide leadership and supervision of Faculty Counselors, Academic Advisors, and program staff, TRiO Director, Diversity & Inclusion Director, and Disability Access Services Director, including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, evaluation, and professional development, while fostering accountability, collaboration, innovation, and professional growth;
Collaborate with the Counseling Faculty Department Chair to ensure coordinated delivery of career and transfer guidance, college success skills, coping strategies, personal/crisis support, and referrals to external services;
Collaborate with Student Services Deans and Directors, ensuring seamless student transitions from entry through completion;
Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with campus departments, K-12 partners, and community organizations that support student success;
Serve on Student Services Leadership Team, college committees, and task forces.
Ensure compliance with applicable SVC policies, state and federal regulations, accreditation standards, and college procedures;
Lead or participate in college-wide initiatives, special projects, and strategic priorities as assigned by the Vice President;
Represent SVC through presentations, conferences, professional associations, and community events to promote institutional priorities and share best practices in advising and student success;
Serve as a Program Owner for EAB Navigate to support implementation and effective use of student support tools (e.g., Early Alert, tracking, reporting, etc.).
Collaborate with Institutional Research, predictive analytics, assessment data, and performance metrics to identify trends, evaluate program effectiveness, and recommend evidence-based improvements;
Identify institutional barriers affecting student success and collaborate with campus leadership to develop sustainable solutions that improve the student experience;
Promote equitable student outcomes through initiatives that support historically underserved student populations;
Ensure assigned departments utilize assessment, program review, and continuous improvement practices to measure advising effectiveness and demonstrate student success outcomes.
Develop, oversee, manage, and monitor Counseling and Advising Center budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility, compliance with state, federal, and institutional policies, and alignment with college strategic priorities;
Support department directors in developing, monitoring, and maintaining fiscally responsible budgets and grants that align with college strategic priorities.