Job Description

Assistant Dean (Student Engagement and Success )

Agency

Prairie View A&M University

Department

College Of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

Commensurate

Prairie View, Texas

Faculty

The Assistant Dean for Student Engagement and Success is a senior leadership role within the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (CAFNR), responsible for advancing a comprehensive student success agenda aligned with the land-grant mission of teaching, research, and Extension. This position provides strategic leadership in enhancing student engagement, academic achievement, and career readiness while integrating outreach and applied scholarship to address community and workforce needs across Texas.

This position works under the direction of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs and collaborates closely to support the implementation of the College’s academic, research, and outreach priorities. The Assistant Dean partners with faculty, staff, Extension personnel, and research leadership to create innovative, data-informed programs that enhance student persistence, experiential learning, and community engagement.

Responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and evaluate programs that encourage student participation in campus life, including clubs, organizations, leadership activities, and community service.
• Develop and oversee academic support services such as mentoring, tutoring, workshops, and orientation programs to improve student retention and graduation rates.
• Develop a CAFNR Student Engagement Strategy, identify barriers to persistence, align initiatives with university goals, and utilize data to inform decisions.
• Provide insight on student climate, recommend policy improvements, support leadership transitions, and align academic and co-curricular experiences.
• Lead and support Wellness in Houston outreach initiatives by guiding the development of community-based programs and curricula that align with established program goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with Extension program educators to design, deliver, and evaluate research-based educational programming and services, ensuring quality, consistency, and measurable community impact.
• Direct the development of strategic partnerships with schools, nonprofits, government agencies, and industry to expand Extension reach and impact.
• Ensure the translation of research into accessible, community-based programming, including trainings, demonstrations, and educational resources.
• Lead data-driven evaluation of outreach and engagement initiatives, measuring Extension impact, program effectiveness, and community outcomes.
• Support the development of Extension programs that integrate student involvement, enhancing experiential learning and leadership development.
• Ensure compliance with grant and funding requirements supporting outreach and Extension activities
• Provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight for student engagement, community outreach, and partnership initiatives within CAFNR.
• Serve as a key member of the Dean's leadership team and assists the Associate Dean in the development and implementation of college-wide strategic priorities, goals, and performance measures.
• Supervise and evaluate assigned staff, including professional development, performance management, workload allocation, and succession planning.
• Develop, manage, and monitor budgets for assigned programs and initiatives, ensuring responsible stewardship of university resources.
• Establish and maintain policies, procedures, and administrative processes that promote efficiency, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate with university departments and external stakeholders to ensure alignment of student success, outreach, and community engagement efforts with institutional objectives.
• Prepare and present reports, assessments, and recommendations to the Dean, university leadership, advisory boards, and external partners.
• Facilitate strategic partnerships and collaborative agreements that support workforce development, student success, community engagement, and organizational growth.
• Monitor program outcomes and key performance indicators, utilizing data to drive decision-making and resource allocation.
• Ensure compliance with university, state, federal, and accreditation requirements applicable to assigned programs and operations.
• Represent the Dean and CAFNR on university committees, task forces, community boards, and professional organizations as assigned.
• Lead change management and organizational development initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness and employee engagement.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean and Associate Dean for Academic Programs.

Required Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in an area represented in the College.
• Six years of relevant experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
• Strong analytical and organizational abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctorate Degree in an area represented in the College.
• Demonstrated success in developing student engagement and retention programs.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.