Dean of Students

Company: Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

Job Location: , Pennsylvania

Category: Other Deans

Type: Full-Time

Email: CUDOS@tm2search.com

THE OPPORTUNITY

The dean of students reports to Provost Denise Pearson and serves as a key member of the university's academic leadership team. This position provides strategic, operational and tactical oversight for a holistic and well-integrated approach across multiple student-focused units including student activities, intramurals, athletics, housing, student auxiliaries, accessibility services, and student health and wellness services.

The dean of students is responsible for implementing the university's vision for staff who work directly with students and for providing strategic leadership for all student life functions. The role includes overseeing departmental budgets and daily operations while recruiting, hiring, training and developing a diverse professional staff. This senior leader directly supervises directors of multiple functional areas and provides support and guidance regarding performance management, succession planning, teamwork and operational matters that support the university's strategic direction.

The successful candidate will collaborate with internal departments and lead their own initiatives in the design, implementation, coordination, assessment and improvement of programs that enhance student life and overall student success. They will play a lead role in organizing convocation and commencement ceremonies, serve as a resource to staff and faculty and proactively engage stakeholders about policies, processes, student needs and compliance matters. The dean will establish committees and work groups to research, create, implement and evaluate new initiatives aimed at improving overall student academic success and experience.

This position requires thoughtful and informed leadership on contemporary higher education issues, balancing student advocacy with community expectations and developing strategies for promoting health and well-being through engagement and education.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic support to the provost, senior leadership team and other departments in areas of student activities, engagement, housing, athletics and student academic, social, personal, and professional success
• Oversee multiple functional areas including student activities, housing, athletics, student health and wellness, counseling and psychological services, and accessibility and special accommodations
• Guide and direct leadership practices to foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing environment that is compliant with regulatory policies and best practices
• Recruit, train, supervise, evaluate, manage, coach and lead directors of departmental units using sound management practices; employ these human resource practices for administrative support and student staff
• Develop and manage information collection practices across the department, producing annual and ad hoc reports that analyze data, identify trends and comply with program review processes required by accrediting bodies
• Create and manage policies, procedures and regulations focused on student services and resources; implement and disseminate these through various formats including print, electronic and social media
• Develop and manage the overall department budget; may solicit, write and manage grants for student life programming to supplement budget needs
• Provide advocacy, project management, and transparency about Student Life to ensure alignment with university strategy
• Work on university-wide initiatives, including committee participation, contributing to Student Life publications, taking a leadership role in planning collaborative programs, and participating in the Provost Council
• Partner with all departments to develop shared strategies and consistency in supporting students
• Collaborate with Information Technology to increase the use and efficiency of technology in fostering student success
• Collaborate with Institutional Research to manage student experience surveys and use data analytics to identify student needs
• Collaborate with Library Services and the Center for Instructional Design to create faculty sessions and participate in new faculty orientation
• Collaborate with Residence Life and Housing to develop and support programs for students living on and off-campus
• Oversee department participation in cross-functional projects to ensure achievement of goals
• Serve as Student Life liaison to internal and external stakeholders and leadership; assess needs and create targeted programming to educate all stakeholders
• Attend and present at professional conferences and maintain professional memberships to collect best practices and customize programs that promote student success and retention
• Comply with and promote the effectiveness of relevant laws and policies (Student Right to Know, FERPA, HIPAA, ADA, Title IX, Student Conduct Code); maintain current knowledge of regulatory changes
• Collaborate with Institutional Effectiveness to administer student behavior policies and assist with policy revision, issues resolution and communication of results
• Serve as the Student Life point-of-contact for the school's risk and crisis management plan
• Co-chair workgroups coordinating activities for convocation and commencement ceremonies
• Perform other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS

Educational Requirements

• Master's degree in higher education administration, student affairs, business or related field required
• Doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in a relevant field preferred

Professional Experience

• Minimum of seven years of progressive experience in student services/affairs or directly related field
• Minimum of five years of experience managing and developing a high-performing team
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in student affairs administration
• Strong experience in student affairs programming assessment
• Experience with budget development and management
• Experience managing staff in a collective bargaining environment Student Development Expertise
• Knowledge of current higher education retention best practices
• Experience with student development theory and application
• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, supervise and evaluate a broad range of student services
• Experience with student conduct and judicial affairs

Compliance and Risk Management

• Knowledge of laws and regulations concerning student affairs and disability service areas
• Experience with Title IX, FERPA, ADA and other relevant compliance areas
• Knowledge of effective crisis management and emergency response protocols
• Experience developing and implementing risk management strategies

Collaborative Leadership

• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Experience working effectively with diverse student populations
• Track record of leading cross-functional teams to achieve strategic objectives
• Ability to represent the university within professional groups and constituencies

Communication and Problem-Solving

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to understand, motivate, develop and persuade others
• Ability to be an effective public speaker and presenter
• Ability to think analytically and solve problems
• Ability to resolve disputes and complaints through mediation

Technical and Administrative Skills

• Knowledge of current enrollment management technology tools
• Ability to research, collate and use relevant data
• Grant writing and management abilities
• Ability to put responsive systems in place

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

Strategic Leadership

• Knowledge of university living-learning environment best practices
• Team player with knowledge of conflict resolution, consensus building and integrated work groups
• Ability to think beyond the obvious to develop meaningful solutions in a timely manner
• Ability to guide, coach and professionally develop staff in collective bargaining environments

Relationship Building

• Ability to develop collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to understand and cause understanding
• Ability to motivate, develop and persuade others
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences

Academic-Centered Focus

• Understanding of student development theory and application
• Experience designing and implementing programs that foster student engagement and success
• Knowledge of inclusive practices that support diverse student populations
• Ability to advocate for student needs while balancing institutional priorities

Administrative Management

• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities
• Experience with budget development, implementation and oversight
• Knowledge of effective assessment and evaluation methods

Crisis Management and Compliance

• Experience with crisis intervention and management
• Knowledge of relevant federal and state regulations affecting higher education
• Understanding of risk management principles and practices
• Ability to develop and implement effective policies and procedures

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with student information systems and databases
• Knowledge of current technology tools that support student success
• Sound technical skills including the ability to work with databases and conduct internet research
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite products

Communication

• Excellent written communication skills for drafting reports, policies and procedures
• Strong verbal communication skills including public speaking
• Ability to translate complex information for various audiences
• Experience developing and delivering training and professional development programs

APPLICATION AND NOMINATION PROCESS

To assure full consideration, application materials should be received by July 15, 2025. The application must include the following: Cover Letter, Comprehensive CV/Resume, Professional References. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit the following application materials through the APPLY NOW button below. Please direct nominations and inquiries to: Dr. Amanda Washington Lockett, TM2 Executive Search (amanda.lockett@tm2search.com), Dr. Will Anyu, TM2 Executive Search (will.anyu@tm2search.com).

ABOUT CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the nation's first historically Black institution of higher education. Founded in 1837 as the Institute for Colored Youth, Cheyney University has evolved into a comprehensive university offering bachelor's and master's degree programs across a range of disciplines. As America's oldest HBCU, Cheyney has a proud legacy of developing leaders in various fields and continues to be a beacon of educational opportunity. To learn more, download the prospectus by clicking here.