Assistant Dean of Students - Brite Divinity School

Job Summary:

The Assistant Dean of Students for Brite Divinity School provides visionary leadership for the Department of Student Success, guiding the structures, programs, and services that promote the holistic well-being, formation, and achievement of all graduate and professional students. In this role, the Assistant Dean enhances the academic journey, leadership development, and co-curricular engagement of students by fostering an inclusive, supportive, and mission-aligned environment. Charged with building and sustaining effective structures, the Assistant Dean leverages data-informed student success strategies and innovative programming tailored to the needs of adult learners across both in-person and online contexts. As a highly visible and accessible advocate, the Assistant Dean advances student engagement, strengthens pathways to success, and contributes to improved retention and overall student flourishing.

The Assistant Dean serves on the academic leadership team, working collaboratively with Academic Affairs, Strategic Initiatives, Vocational Discernment, Admissions, and key TCU campus partners to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive approach to student success.

Duties & Essential Job Functions:

Leadership of the Department of Student Success
1. Provides vision, direction, and administrative leadership for the Department of Student Success, ensuring its programs, staff, and services effectively support graduate and professional students at Brite Divinity School.
2. Supervises Student Success staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, student-centered service, and continuous improvement.
3. Establishes departmental priorities, assesses needs, allocates resources, and ensures alignment with institutional mission and strategic goals.
4. Oversees departmental policies, workflows, communication strategies, and assessment processes to ensure high-quality student support.

Student Success Support
5. Provides direct guidance and accompaniment for graduate and professional students across multiple modalities (i.e. in person and online) related to academic navigation, wellness concerns, community integration, and resource access.
6. Meets with students for consultation on academic challenges, personal concerns, conflict resolution, and transitions throughout their program.
7. Coordinates with writing support services to ensure graduate-level academic skills programming (including online/hybrid access).
8. Serves as a primary contact for student concerns, collaborating with campus offices including counseling, accessibility, and student conduct.
9. Facilitates international students’ integration into the school community and cultivating opportunities for intercultural learning throughout the school community.
10. Ensures department maintenance of documentation in accordance with FERPA and institutional policies.

Student Affairs & Co-Curricular Program Administration
11. Leads the planning and execution of orientation, onboarding, and transition programming for all entering graduate students in collaboration with key Brite personnel.
12. Oversees student life, spiritual formation, and community-building initiatives such as workshops, retreats, programming, and leadership development.
13. Supervises staff in the department, including the Campus Chaplain, administrative support, and graduate student workers.
14. Develops co-curricular programs that support spiritual and professional development.
15. Supports student organizations and affinity groups by providing guidance, policy interpretation, and leadership development.
16. Promotes student leadership, engagement, and community-building through intentional programming and partnerships.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
17. Serves as a key liaison between the Divinity School and student-focused campus services and community organizations supporting student formation and success.
18. Collaborates regularly with the academic leadership team to ensure an integrated approach to student success and seamless and coordinated support across the student lifecycle.
19. Provides counsel to faculty and staff regarding student needs, emerging issues, and student success trends.

Student Conduct and Community Standards
20. Provides oversight of non-academic, student conduct and community standards.
21. Provides leadership for the Consultation, Assessment, Resources, and Education (CARE) Team - Brite’s proactive early-intervention and threat-management group.
22. Ensures the Code of Student Conduct, and all associated policies, reports, and standard operating procedures are updated regularly and upheld.
23. Serves as the primary steward for the student handbook, leading the annual review, revision, and distribution process in compliance with internal policies.

Student Advocacy
24. Advances a culture of belonging through initiatives that support the diverse identities and backgrounds of Brite students.
25. Advocates for student needs in institutional planning, ensuring policies, procedures, and communication practices support equitable access and student well-being.
26. Identifies and addresses systemic barriers impacting student retention or success.

Assessment and Reporting
27. Directs departmental assessment strategies, including tracking student engagement, conducting annual student satisfaction surveys, retention indicators, and program effectiveness.
28. Contributes to accreditation-related reporting and internal evaluation processes involving student support services.
29. Produces data-informed reports and recommendations for senior leadership on student concerns and departmental impact.

Additional Duties
30. Participates in professional development related to student affairs, theological education, and student support.
31. Represents the Divinity School at events and in professional networks related to student affairs and theological education.
32. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience:

• Master degree in a related field (i.e., divinity, theological studies, higher education administration, student affairs, counseling, or education)
• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs, student support, or academic administration
• Experience supervising staff and managing departmental operations.
• Experience supporting divinity students, adult learners, or graduate-level students.
• Demonstrated experience working in diverse and inclusive educational environments.

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Experience in student affairs, student support, or academic administration within graduate theological education
• Terminal degree highly preferred (i.e., EdD or PhD in Higher Education Administration or related field)
• Background in program assessment, accreditation processes, or institutional research.

Required Licensure/Certification/Specialized Training:

None

Preferred Licensure, Certification, and/or Specialized Training:

None

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of current issues in higher education and student support relevant to the Divinity School.
• Knowledge of presentations and interpersonal skill and relationship techniques.
• Knowledge of planning, implementing, and evaluating events and student programs
• Skill in oral and written communication skills.
• Skill in some or all components of Microsoft Office.
• Skill interpersonal skills and ability to work both independently and in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to draft grammatically correct correspondence.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Ability to interact with students of all backgrounds.
• Ability to manage details of projects.
• Ability to establish priorities.

Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations):

• Visual acuity to read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.
• Able to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.
• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
• Lifting and moving objects and equipment up to 10 lbs.

Work Environment:

• Work is indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours.
• This role is an on campus, in-person position.
• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.