"Dean of Library, Learning, and Student Success"

Job Summary

The Department of Integrated Learning Services at Columbia College invites applications for a Dean beginning March 2026 or earliest available date with a demonstrated background in higher education library and student success services.

The Dean is the chief administrative officer responsible for providing strategic vision, leadership, and management for an integrated portfolio of services encompassing library operations, academic support, and critical student success functions, specifically academic advising and career services.

This role requires a forward-thinking individual committed to creating a seamless ecosystem of support that bridges academic life, career readiness, and student development, ensuring all initiatives align with the college's liberal arts mission.

Columbia College is a private liberal arts institution that is committed to creating a learning community that values diversity and inclusion. We seek candidates who will be innovative in leadership and strategic vision while building collaborative relationships and providing a comprehensive vision for the future of integrated learning services at Columbia College.

The Department of Integrated Learning Services combines library services with student success services, including career services, academic advising, and accessibility. Together, these areas provide essential support for student, faculty and staff access, information, and success and create a unified, collaborative space for learning.

This position is a twelve-month, full-time staff appointment with faculty privileges.

Columbia College seeks a collaborative, forward-thinking leader for this position who will make a lasting impact on student learning, engagement, retention, and success. The Dean of Library, Learning & Student Success plays a pivotal role in shaping the student academic experience and advancing the College’s academic mission.

The Dean of LLSS provides strategic vision, goals, strategies, and direction to the Integrated Learning Services department, including library, research and scholarship support, career, advising and accessibility services. The Dean of Library, Learning & Student Success will direct, develop, and work closely with the Assistant Dean of Student Success & Retention to implement a cohesive vision for this department, oversee library, student success and retention activities, and collaborate with personnel from across the college and community in support of the College's mission, vision, and strategic priorities. This position reports to the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership and Vision
   • Develop and implement a comprehensive vision for integrated learning services that integrates the library, advising, and career services into a holistic student success model, aligning these services with Columbia College’s mission, vision and strategic priorities.
   • Provide strategic leadership in accreditation-related student learning efforts, budget management, and resource advocacy to ensure each functional area has sustained support.
   • Ensure the library remains an innovative center for research, collaboration, and innovation.
   • Champion robust information literacy programs integrated into the curriculum, collaborating closely with faculty to enhance research skills.
   • Oversee and provide strategic feedback on Student Success’s retention planning and programming.
2. Communication and Collaboration
   • Facilitate collaboration and communication across departments, including senior leadership team, deans, IT, and institutional research, to align integrated learning services initiatives with institutional goals and strategic priorities.
   • Develop internal and external relationships that support the department’s contributions to institutional goals and strategic priorities such as improving the student experience and modernizing facilities and elevating the campus environment.
3. Department Leadership and Resource Management
   • Hire, develop, and supervise department faculty and staff.
   • Evaluate Assistant Dean and Director-level positions annually.
   • Oversee the annual performance evaluations of other faculty/staff.
   • Recommend faculty for tenure and/or promotion, as applicable.
   • Develop, manage, and monitor the consolidated departmental budget effectively, prioritizing resources to maximize impact on student outcomes.
   • Serve as the primary liaison and advocate for the integrated departments to the faculty, administration, students, alumni, and external partners.
   • Utilize data and assessment practices to measure effectiveness, inform decision-making, and demonstrate the value of all services (library, advising, career services) to the college community.
   • Represent the College externally when appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• Earned graduate degree (MLIS/MLS or other closely related degree) and/or extensive experience in higher education librarianship with a preference for candidates with an earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution, preferably in library/information science, higher education, student affairs, or a related field.
• Knowledge of and/or experience in higher education student success services, including oversight of areas such as Academic Advising, Career Services, or Accessibility Services.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible administrative and management experience within higher education, ideally blending academic affairs and student affairs functions. Experience must include strategic planning and personnel management.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, supervise professional staff, and foster cross-departmental collaboration.
• Knowledge of best practices in career services, academic advising, accessibility, and information literacy.
• Demonstrated commitment to create an accessible and inclusive environment that serves all members of the community.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and consensus-building skills.
• Experience with assessment, program evaluation, and the use of data to drive innovation.
• Proficiency in platforms such as Navigate, Jenzabar, Canvas, and other systems that support advising, career readiness, and assessment.
• Knowledge of national standards, compliance requirements, and institutional frameworks, including ADA, Section 504, FERPA, NACADA, AHEAD, and NACE.

Preferred Qualifications

• Earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution, preferably in library/information science, higher education, student affairs, or a related field.
• Experience with integrated service models and leading organizational change.
• Familiarity with student success technologies and digital learning platforms.
• Track record of securing external funding or grants to support innovative initiatives.

Applications

To apply, a candidate must submit the following materials through the online submission portal (all in one pdf file except for the cover letter, which may be uploaded as a separate document):

• A cover letter describing position-related interests/experiences
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae
• A leadership statement that includes the candidate’s leadership philosophy and approach
• (Optional) A statement regarding research and other scholarly endeavors
• Names and contact information for three references, and
• Copies of graduate transcripts. Unofficial copies of transcripts will suffice for the initial application stage.

Review of completed applications will begin February 26 and continue until the position is filled.

Inquiries may be directed to Dr. Brennan Davis, Vice Provost of Academic Affairs, at bdavis@columbiasc.edu.

Columbia College is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.