The University of Maryland (UMD), a nationally recognized public research university in College Park, Maryland, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students. This is an on-site leadership role.
UMD is Maryland's flagship institution and one of the nation's leading public research universities. Founded in 1856, UMD is a member of the Association of American Universities and is located just outside Washington, D.C., providing students and faculty with unparalleled access to the nation's center of government, policy, research, technology, and culture. The university enrolls more than 41,000 undergraduate and graduate students across 12 colleges and schools and offers more than 300 degree programs.
The Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students (AVP/DOS) is UMD's foremost student advocate, leading the mission to serve as an advocate for students and their support networks in personal, academic, and community crises. The position reports to the Vice President for Student Affairs and serves as a member of the Vice President for Student Affairs Council and the Student Affairs Leadership Team. The AVP/DOS supervises the Assistant Dean of Students, Assistant Dean/Director of Family Engagement, Assistant Dean/Director of Student Conduct and the Assistant Dean/Director of the Thrive Center for Essential Needs.
The salary range for the position is $230,000-$245,000.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
- Fifteen years of significant progressively responsible experience in higher education, student affairs, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex student issues and/or institutional initiatives.
- Demonstrated supervisory and organizational leadership experience.
- Experience managing crisis situations, complex student concerns, or behavioral risk.
- Significant experience with behavioral threat assessment and management.
- Significant understanding of student conduct administration.
- Strong understanding of the higher education environment and the legal, ethical, and policy considerations affecting student affairs.
- Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality in highly sensitive situations.
- Identifies patterns and systemic issues rather than focusing solely on individual cases.
- Understands institutional culture, governance, competing interests, and the broader implications of decisions.
- Handles confidential and sensitive information with the highest level of professionalism.
Preferred Qualifications
- Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university
- Experience developing university-wide policies and procedures.
- Experience leading cross-divisional initiatives and institutional change.
- Experience managing budgets and complex organizational structures.
- Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws and regulations affecting higher education and student affairs.
Application and Nomination
The University of Maryland has selected Spelman Johnson, a leading executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin October 22, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Submit a resume and cover letter via https://spelmanandjohnson.com/position/assistant-vice-president-and-dean-of-students/
Contact Mark Hall at mah@spelmanjohnson.com for confidential inquiries.
Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.
Visit the University of Maryland website at www.umd.edu
It is the policy of the University of Maryland not to discriminate or allow the harassment of employees or applicants on the basis of sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, age, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law with regard to any employment practices, including recruitment, advertising, job application procedures, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, job assignments, benefits, and/or other terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, provided the individual is qualified, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions of the job. This policy applies to all jobs at the University of Maryland. The University of Maryland will continue to ensure that individuals are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to any of the above characteristics or any other characteristic protected by law in all employment practices.