Department: Col of Ed and Human Development
Classification: Administrative Faculty
Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)
Location: Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible
Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa
sponsorship
Salary: Salary commensurate with education and
experience
Criminal Background Check: Yes
About the Department:
The College of Education and Human Development is an all-inclusive
community of scholars, educators, and practitioners dedicated to
the lifelong pursuit of learning, development, and well-being.
Through transdisciplinary collaboration, we innovate and produce
research that positively impacts the Commonwealth, the nation, and
the world. The CEHD Office of Student and Academic Affairs (SAA)
participates in the onboarding of new students, facilitates
enrollment and retention, addresses barriers to success,
adjudicates appeals and grievances, awards scholarships,
coordinates enrichment activities and celebratory events, and
provides students with a broad range of resources. Further, SAA
advises College faculty and staff on academic policies and
procedures, complex student matters, instructional challenges,
curricular development, and integrity and compliance efforts.
About the Position:
The Assistant Dean for Student Success provides strategic
leadership for initiatives that promote student retention, academic
achievement, student progression, and timely degree completion.
Reporting to the Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs,
this position oversees student success programs and services,
including academic advising, new student orientation, student case
management, and student appeals processes. The Assistant Dean leads
the use of student success data to identify barriers to
progression, evaluate outcomes, and implement continuous
improvement strategies that enhance student experience and support
student success. The position serves as a key liaison among
students, faculty, staff, Academic Program Coordinators (APCs),
Department Chairs, and university offices to ensure effective
implementation of academic policies and student success strategies,
and college-wide academic planning initiatives.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership of Student Success Programs and
Initiatives
- Provide leadership and oversight for student success programs
and services, including academic advising, new student orientation,
student case management, and student appeals processes;
Develop and implement strategies that promote student
retention, academic achievement, progression, and timely degree
completion;
Lead continuous improvement efforts designed to enhance the
student experience and support positive student outcomes; and
Ensure alignment of student success initiatives with college
and university strategic priorities.
Student Success Assessment, Data Analysis, and Continuous
Improvement
- Oversee the collection, analysis, and use of student success
data to identify barriers to academic progression and degree
completion;
- Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, student outcomes,
and key performance indicators related to retention, persistence,
and graduation;
- Develop evidence-based recommendations and action plans to
improve student success outcomes; and
- Prepare reports, presentations, and assessments to inform
college leadership and support strategic decision-making.
Stakeholder Collaboration, Academic Policy Implementation, and
Student Advocacy
- Serve as a key liaison among students, faculty, staff, Academic
Program Coordinators, Department Chairs, and university offices to
support student success initiatives and academic planning
efforts;
- Facilitate effective implementation and interpretation of
academic policies, procedures, and student support processes;
- Provide consultation and guidance regarding student concerns,
appeals, and complex academic situations; and
- Foster collaborative partnerships that strengthen student
support systems across the college and university.
Complete other duties related to Student and Academic
Affairs
- Support and attend SAA student-facing events, including (but
not limited to) CEHD Research Symposium and CEHD Degree
Celebration.
Required Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in related field from an accredited institution
or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Typically, a minimum of five years of experience in higher
education administration, academic advising, student success,
student affairs, academic affairs, and/or a related area;
- Experience managing complex student issues and resolving
conflicts;
- Knowledge of academic advising models, retention strategies,
and student support services; of higher education policies,
procedures, and regulations related to academic progression,
student appeals, and degree completion; of data-informed
decision-making;
- Strong leadership and supervisory skills;
- Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and
relationship-building skills;
- Effective verbal and written communication skills;
- Data analysis and problem-solving skills;
- Strategic planning and project management skills;
- Conflict resolution and case management skills;
- Ability to prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations
based on data findings; to develop and implement student success
strategies and initiatives; to analyze complex student success data
and identify trends, barriers, and opportunities for improvement;
to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously; to lead
cross-functional teams and collaborate effectively with faculty,
staff, students, and administrators;
- Ability to interpret and apply academic policies consistently
and equitably; to exercise sound judgment and maintain
confidentiality in sensitive student matters;
- Ability to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for
students;
- Demonstrated ability to use student success, enrollment, and
academic performance data to inform strategic decision-making,
policy implementation, and continuous improvement;
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with academic
leaders and faculty to implement student success initiatives;
and
- Professional integrity and ethical decision-making.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Doctoral degree in Higher Education, Educational Leadership,
Student Affairs, or a related field;
- Experience with student success analytics, dashboard
development and use, or predictive analytics;
- Experience supporting academic planning, enrollment management,
or institutional effectiveness initiatives;
- Experience supervising professional staff;
- Experience with student information systems, advising
technologies, and data visualization tools;
- Demonstrated success leading retention, advising, or student
success initiatives;
- Experience designing and assessing large-scale student success
initiatives;
- Experience fostering a culture of assessment and evidence-based
decision-making;
- Advanced knowledge of predictive analytics, student success
technologies, and early-alert systems;
- Knowledge of assessment methodologies and continuous
improvement practices;
- Advanced analytical skills using tools such as Power BI,
Tableau, or similar platforms;
- Ability to build partnerships across academic and
administrative units to advance strategic priorities;
- Ability to evaluate and redesign processes that affect student
progression and completion;
- Demonstrated commitment to innovation and continuous
improvement;
- Ability to think strategically while maintaining operational
effectiveness;
- Flexibility and adaptability in addressing changing student and
institutional needs; and
- Record of successful leadership in advancing student success
outcomes within higher education.
Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must apply for
Assistant
Dean for Student Success at
https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online
application to include three professional references with contact
information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with CV
for review.
Posting Open Date: October 1, 2026
For Full Consideration, Apply by: October 30, 2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
Mason Ad Statement
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university committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous
world. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largest
and most diverse public research university in Virginia, offering
degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level,
along with certificates and credentials.
George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment for
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believe in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancing
our mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; and
we believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity of
origin, identity, circumstance, and thought.
Equity Statement
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its
community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or
veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
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