Assistant Dean for Advising, College of Arts and Sciences

Assistant Dean for Advising, College of Arts and Sciences

Institution: University of Pennsylvania, School of Arts and Sciences

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Job Description Summary

Assistant Deans for Advising in the College of Arts and Sciences provide academic advising and sustained support to College undergraduates, with particular responsibility for degree progress, academic standing, and complex cases. In addition to direct advising, Assistant Deans serve as stewards of academic policies and advising systems, coordinate with faculty and campus partners, and participate in advising working groups that function as core operational teams supporting student success.

Responsibilities

This role will provide academic advising and sustained support to undergraduates, with particular responsibility for students navigating academic standing, ongoing intensive advising, and complex degree progress challenges. As part of the College's extended case management infrastructure, Assistant Deans engage with students across the academic year and coordinate with campus partners to support continuity, equity, and timely resolution of complex academic situations. In addition to direct advising, Assistant Deans serve as stewards of the College's academic policies and degree progress systems, interpreting and communicating College rules as they apply to students and supporting faculty, departmental advisors, and pre-major advisors in the consistent application of those rules. Assistant Deans play a central role in academic standing oversight, working closely with the Committee on Undergraduate Academic Standing to enforce College rules and evaluate exceptions, and carrying responsibility for follow-up and implementation throughout the year. They also contribute to the coordination and administration of cross-school and special academic programs (e.g., dual degrees, interschool enrollment, study abroad), emphasizing policy execution, eligibility review, and record accuracy. As members of the College Advising team, Assistant Deans provide oversight and coordination of pre-major advisors housed outside the advising office, participate in advising working groups that function as operational service teams, and maintain fluency in the College curriculum, degree audit tools, administrative systems, and the University's network of undergraduate support services.

Qualifications

Education

• Master of Arts, Master of Science, and 1-2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Advanced degree required; PhD in a discipline taught in the College of Arts and Sciences preferred.

Experience and Personal Attributes

• Strong background in and commitment to liberal arts education
• Experience must include teaching and/or advising of traditional college-age students as well as some administrative experience in higher education
• Experience with the design and management of advising communications, both print and web-based, is also desirable
• Ability to relate well to students, faculty, staff, and parents required
• The ability to work as part of a team is necessary

Technical Skills

• Good interpersonal communication (oral and written) and organizational skills required
• Comfortable with modern computer operating systems, such as Mac OS or Windows, and strong foundation in basic productivity software such as Microsoft Office, Firefox, email clients, and FileMaker Pro required
• Technical proficiency sufficient to master University systems such as Path@Penn, DegreeWorks, and Banner
• Propensity towards enthusiastically adopting new technologies and an aptitude for envisioning improvements to processes is desired as well

Pay Range: $66,000.00 - $88,000.00 Annual Rate

How to Apply: For consideration, please submit a cover letter as well as a resume in the CV section of your application. You can upload multiple documents to the "Resume/CV" section. To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn

Benefits: Competitive benefits package including healthcare, tuition benefits, retirement, and more. Learn more at PennHR Benefits.