The Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students serves as a senior student affairs leader and member of the President’s Cabinet responsible for fostering a vibrant, safe, Christ-centered campus community that supports student development, engagement, wellness, and success. This position provides strategic leadership, supervision, and oversight for the following areas: Residence Life, Safety and Security, Student Activities, Student Conduct, the Wellness Center, and Campus Ministries.
As a cabinet-level administrator, the AVP/Dean of Students participates in institutional leadership, strategic planning, policy development, and university decision-making processes while collaborating closely with university leadership, faculty, staff, and students to advance the mission and values of the university.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Executive Leadership
· Serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet and provide leadership on university-wide initiatives and strategic priorities.
· Advise senior leadership on matters related to student life, campus climate, student well-being, and student engagement.
· Participate in institutional planning, policy development, crisis response, and assessment efforts.
· Represent Student Services in campus and community partnerships, committees, and special initiatives.
Student Development & Leadership
· Provide leadership for the overall student experience and co-curricular environment.
· Promote student engagement, retention, leadership development, and holistic student growth.
· Develop and implement programs and initiatives that enhance campus life and student success.
· Serve as an advocate for students while balancing institutional policies and expectations.
Supervision & Departmental Oversight
· Provide direct supervision and strategic oversight for:
o Residence Life
o Safety and Security
o Student Activities
o Student Conduct
o Wellness Center
o Campus Ministries
· Lead, mentor, and evaluate departmental staff and student leaders.
· Facilitate collaboration among departments to ensure integrated student support services.
Residence Life
· Oversee residential education initiatives that promote community, accountability, and student development.
· Ensure effective housing operations, occupancy management, and residential programming.
· Support crisis response and student care efforts within the residential community.
Safety & Security
· Collaborate with campus safety personnel to maintain a secure and welcoming campus environment.
· Assist in emergency preparedness planning, behavioral intervention processes, and crisis management.
· Support institutional compliance with applicable safety regulations and reporting requirements.
Student Conduct
· Administer and oversee the student conduct process in accordance with the Student Handbook and university policies and procedures.
· Promote educational and restorative approaches to student accountability.
· Serve as a hearing officer or appellate officer as needed.
Student Activities & Engagement
· Oversee student organizations, leadership programs, campus events, and student engagement initiatives.
· Encourage opportunities for student involvement that foster community and belonging.
· Support programming that reflects the mission and values of the university.
Wellness & Student Support
· Provide oversight for wellness initiatives that support students’ emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental well-being.
· Collaborate with campus partners to identify and respond to student needs and concerns.
· Support prevention education and wellness programming.
Campus Ministries
· Support spiritual formation opportunities and faith-based programming consistent with the university’s mission.
· Collaborate with campus ministry staff to encourage student participation in worship, discipleship, missions, and service opportunities.
Orientation & Registration Services
· Provide leadership and oversight for new student orientation and summer registration planning.
· Coordinate orientation and registration programs in collaboration with Academic Affairs, Enrollment, and Student Services.
· Oversee orientation staff and student leaders while ensuring programs support student transition, engagement, and success.
· Develop and assess orientation and registration initiatives consistent with the mission and values of the university.
Qualifications
· Master’s degree required; doctorate preferred in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Leadership, or related field.
· Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in student affairs or higher education administration.
· Demonstrated experience supervising multiple functional areas within student services.
· Strong interpersonal, organizational, leadership, and crisis management skills.
· Experience serving on senior leadership teams or participating in institutional strategic planning preferred.
· Knowledge of student development theory, conduct processes, Title IX collaboration, and higher education best practices.
· Ability to communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, parents, and community partners.
· Commitment to supporting the Christian mission and values of the university.
Preferred Characteristics
· Collaborative and student-centered leadership style.
· Ability to foster inclusive and engaging campus environments.
· Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
· Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment.
· Passion for mentoring and developing students and staff.
Working Conditions
· Evening and weekend work may be required to support campus events, emergencies, and student activities.
· Participation in on-call and crisis response responsibilities may be expected.
