Assistant Dean for Engagement and Student Success

Position Overview

Primary Purpose of Position

The primary purpose of the Assistant Dean for Engagement and Student Success (“Assistant Dean”) position is to provide leadership, management, and oversight of academic performance, student advising, and professional development in support of student success for the Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics. Reporting directly to the Dean, the Assistant Dean serves as a key member of the College’s leadership team and provides strategic direction for student success initiatives, student engagement, outreach, co-curricular programming, and the Assurance of Learning (AOL) process. This role plays a critical part in ensuring that Deese College delivers a data-informed, student-centered educational experience aligned with its mission and AACSB accreditation standards.

The Assistant Dean for Engagement and Student Success provides strategic leadership in designing, implementing, and continuously improving a comprehensive approach to student success that spans recruitment, retention, persistence, and graduation. This role oversees advising, academic support, student outreach, and co-curricular programming to ensure alignment with student development and career readiness goals. Central to this work is fostering intentional collaboration across academic departments, student services, corporate partners, and alumni. The Assistant Dean identifies gaps in student outcomes and implements targeted, high-impact interventions to enhance success. Additionally, the role leads the advancement of signature student programs, leadership initiatives, and student organization engagement to create a transformative and holistic student experience.

The Assistant Dean leads a comprehensive portfolio focused on student engagement, outreach, and experiential learning designed to enrich the student experience and prepare graduates for career success. This includes expanding high-impact practices such as internships, corporate engagement, leadership development, and global learning opportunities that connect classroom learning to real-world application. The role strengthens strategic partnerships with the Office of Career Services, alumni, corporate sponsors, and community organizations to enhance career outcomes and create clear professional pathways for students. In addition, the Assistant Dean directs outreach initiatives that support student recruitment, pipeline development, and meaningful community engagement. Oversight of student organizations, leadership councils, and co-curricular programming ensures a vibrant campus environment that promotes holistic student development and a strong sense of belonging. The position also prioritizes student well-being by coordinating access to mentoring, advising, and campus resources that support students’ academic, personal, and professional success.

The Assistant Dean will work with the Deese College Assurance of Learning Committee in facilitating the assessment process and assisting with reporting SACACOCS and AACSB information as required. The Assistant Dean will be required to teach 3 or more credit hours of courses per semester. The AD will need to be credentialed to teach three or more Undergraduate or Graduate courses.

The Assistant Dean for Engagement and Student Success will work with the faculty and staff of Deese College to maintain the importance of student learning and development while the College emphasizes research, research funding, and student (graduate and undergraduate) engagement in research. Additionally, the Associate Dean will support research development and productivity in the scholarship of teaching and learning.

The Assistant Dean for Engagement and Student Success fosters a collaborative and student-centered culture ensuring that all members of the college community are connected through a shared commitment to excellence. Serving as a key liaison, the Assistant Dean facilitates communication and collaboration across departments, faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders to advance strategic priorities and strengthen institutional cohesion. Through intentional leadership and engagement, the role promotes an environment where students, faculty, and staff are valued, supported, and empowered to contribute meaningfully, reinforcing a culture of belonging, respect, and collective success.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

The Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics is one of ten academic units (Colleges and Schools) at North Carolina A&T State University. Located in Greensboro, NC, NC A&T is a public, doctoral/research, 1890 land-grant university committed to exemplary teaching and learning, scholarly and creative research, and effective engagement and public service. The University is on a journey to become a Research 1 (R1) institution.

The Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics at North Carolina A&T State University has proudly maintained accreditation by the AACSB since 1979. The Accounting accreditation has been in place since 1986. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation occurred in 2021.

Minimum Requirements

• Ph. D in an area related to business, management, professional development, human resources, leadership, education or college administration, 5 or more years of employment experience in student personnel, education or college administration with a minimum of 2 years of experience at the management level, or Master’s degree in area related to business, management, professional development, human resources, leadership, education or college administration, 8 or more years of employment experience in student personnel, education or college administration with a minimum of 2 years of experience at the management level.
• Demonstrated success at relationship building and collaborating with different campus constituencies to build consensus
• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills
• Demonstrated success executing student development initiatives
• Ability to lead diverse professionals to collaborative ideas and successful outcomes
• Demonstrated success at conflict resolution

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education

• Experience with AACSB accreditation and Assurance of Learning processes
• Three or more years of experience with student professional development and success programming
• Experience with students from underrepresented backgrounds including first generation college students.