Assistant Dean for Students

The Assistant Dean for Students in the College of Engineering & Applied Science (CEAS) at the University of Colorado Boulder provides executive leadership and management of multiple aspects of the undergraduate student experience from matriculation through graduation. This is a vital CEAS senior staff leadership role that serves as the operational, day-to-day academic dean for a student body of more than 6600 undergraduate students, and has strategic oversight for several student services units composed of approximately 50 professional staff within the college: the Broadening Opportunity through Leadership and Diversity (BOLD) Center, ProReady, and Student Support & Advising Services. The role represents CEAS on campus-level committees and initiatives related to academic success.

This position reports directly to the CEAS Dean and is a member of the Dean’s senior leadership team. The role serves as an advisor, consultant, and leader around equity, strategic and operational issues and initiatives impacting the CEAS undergraduate student experience, with proven ability to lead the implementation and prioritization of short and long-term efforts and initiatives.

The position champions and promotes undergraduate student success initiatives, and informs development and revision of policies and practices in support of increased persistence and graduation rates and to mitigate institutional performance gaps. This position is responsible for leading the design of the CEAS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy as it relates to undergraduate students and serves as a college-wide point-of-contact and promoter of undergraduate student-related DEI initiatives.

Who We Are

Founded in 1893, the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado Boulder is the second largest of seven schools and colleges at one of the nation’s top public research institutions. As Colorado’s flagship university, CU Boulder has selective admissions standards and a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs. Our mission is to generate new knowledge in engineering and related fields, and to equip students from diverse backgrounds to become leaders and citizens responsible for the betterment of individuals and society.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Undergraduate Student Success:

• Collaborates with the CEAS Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education on aspects of the undergraduate student experience, including executive co-sponsorship and leadership of CEAS student success initiatives.
• Provides executive leadership to the BOLD (Broadening Opportunity through Leadership and Diversity) Center organization and staff in support of equitable student success.
• Provides executive leadership to the ProReady organization and staff supporting student career exploration and preparation, undergraduate research, leadership development, and global experiences.
• Provides executive leadership to the Student Support & Advising Services (SSAS) organization and staff offering academic advising, academic coaching, and other academic success services, along with developing and supporting transfer student pathways for Colorado community colleges and partnership programs with Colorado Mesa University and Western Colorado University.
• Directs the Engineering Hub + Annex, including office assignments for professional staff, student employees, and engineering student organizations.
• Leads the portfolio in belonging, mattering, and community-building initiatives to continuously enhance CEAS culture and the undergraduate student experience.
• Is responsible for budgets for the BOLD Center, ProReady, SSAS, and the Engineering Hub, and leads the college’s annual operational planning process for all aspects of the portfolio.
• Leads organizational development and long-range planning for all aspects of the portfolio.
• Collaborates with CEAS Advancement team and Industry & Foundation Relations to lead portfolio with industry engagement and donor stewardship efforts.

Academic Dean of Undergraduate Students:

• Serves as a resource expert to CEAS students, faculty, staff, parents and families on college and campus academic policies.
• Serves as a primary CEAS point of contact to various campus units, e.g., Registrar’s Office, Continuing Education, other college/school dean’s offices, etc.
• Responds to and provides consultation for complex student issues, along with working with students, parents, families, faculty, staff, and scholarship sponsors.
• Responsible for the integrity and reliability of college undergraduate academic operations functions such as review of undergraduate student petitions, grade changes, student major/minor/advisor assignments, other student academic records, student webforms, business processes needing dean’s office review, etc.
• Contributes to ABET (abet.org) engineering and computer science accreditation processes and advises on policies and practices that may have ABET implications.
• Responsible for accurate representation and observance of CEAS academic policies and Intra-University Transfer admission.
• Supports campus and college protocols and practices for University academic standing policies.
• Oversees CEAS content updates published in the annual University Undergraduate Catalog, involving all undergraduate baccalaureate, major, and certificate programs.
• Supervises undergraduate student graduation certification process (3+ times per year).
• Is responsible for the semi-annual graduating student award process for seven undergraduate student awards.
• Provides executive leadership of annual December college-wide Graduation Recognition Ceremony, including direction of the program and platform party.
• Manages the CEAS graduation activities budget, which includes the December graduation ceremony and the annual Ring & Pin Ceremony.
• Serves as advisor to the University of Colorado Engineering Council (UCEC) CEAS student government body, and more generally as an executive level point-of-contact for all CEAS student societies and organizations.

College and Campus Executive Leadership:

• Advises and collaborates at all levels of management within the college including the Dean, Associate and Assistant Deans, and leadership of departments and programs.
• Ensures undergraduate student success programs and initiatives enable CEAS to achieve its strategic goals in alignment with campus-wide strategic priorities.
• Serves as a voting member of the CEAS Undergraduate Education Council (UEC).
• Serves on the CU Boulder Office of Undergraduate Education’s UndergraduateStudent Success (USS) Advisory Board.
• Represents the CEAS to internal and external constituencies as appropriate.
• Serves on committees and performs representational functions on strategically important initiatives.

Supervision and Other Duties:

• Directly supervises five professional staff (Sr. Director of Advising, Sr. Director of Academic Success & Transfer Pathways, Sr. Director of Student Professional Development, Director of the BOLD Center, and the Student Services Program Manager), with executive responsibility for approximately 50 professional staff members.
• Coaches, mentors, challenges, and supports direct reports in a collaborative, team-based leadership environment.
• Provides timely direction and feedback to direct reports; performance planning, coaching/progress reviews, and appraisals.
• Assesses strengths and development needs of staff; supports employee training, professional development, and recognition.
• Collaborates with direct reports to promote an equitable and inclusive working environment.
• Ensures compliance with university and college policies. Approves leave requests and monthly timesheets.
• Stays apprised and current on relevant University and State of Colorado policies and procedures.
• Knows the latest on developments in the field of higher education and undergraduate student success through ongoing professional development and participation in relevant associations and conferences.
• Participates in professional development activities and serves on unit, college or campus committees as applicable.
• Undertakes other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

What You Should Know

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work modality, consistent with the College of Engineering and Applied Science Hybrid Work Policy.

What We Can Offer

The starting salary for this role is $155,000 – $189,500 annually. Relocation assistance is available within CEAS guidelines.

Be supportive. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Master’s Degree in higher education, engineering, or related field.
• 6 years of extensive leadership experience as an executive or director in higher education.
• 6 years of progressively responsible experience in a leadership role with student success, retention, and persistence efforts.
• 6 years of progressively responsible experience working with university students and knowledge of academic processes at a research university.
• 6 years of progressively responsible supervisory experience in a higher education setting of non-temporary management-level and subordinate professional employees with authority to impact hiring, firing, promotion, performance and status.
• 6 years of progressively responsible experience in a leadership role with collegiate academic advising or allied academic success work.
• 6 years of implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion work at a leadership level.
• Experience in programmatic assessment, data analysis, and project management.
• Experience in developing and managing budgets.

What You Will Need

• Knowledge of student success trends in higher education, along with use of relevant strategies, interventions, and technologies.
• Ability to lead and manage work groups, and perform as an effective implementer.
• Track record of developing highly effective communication processes and building relationships at all levels of an organization.
• Proven ability to develop and coach professional staff, with a passion for sharing and imparting leadership skills to others.
• Ability to set expectations for, and foster, intercultural competencies among professional staff.
• Ability to lead teams through change.
• Ability to analyze data, assess program effectiveness, and make data-driven decisions.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize concurrent projects or tasks, work in a fast-paced environment, and attain key objectives.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Experience resolving complex student academic and retention issues and student/parent concerns.
• Student-centered work ethic and a high level of personal integrity and accountability.
• Demonstrated dedication to serving students and staff from a diverse set of backgrounds and demonstrated advocacy for students and staff from underrepresented groups.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership experience in advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion work and initiatives.
• Ability to develop and support an inclusive environment for students and staff.
• Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political, and geographical differences, with ability to work well with students, staff, and faculty from a variety of identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Willingness to work in an environment which may demand some flexibility or evening/weekend work.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Doctoral Degree in higher education, engineering, or related field.
• Experience working with STEM students in a higher education setting.
• Experience working with faculty and administration in a higher education setting.
• Experience interacting with parents and families of college students.
• Experience in setting scholarship strategies that promote student access and persistence.
• Experience in change management theory and practice.
• Familiarity with University of Colorado’s student information systems.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point), and experience with other technologies such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Canvas, Qualtrics, and Drupal or equivalent experience.

Special Application Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that briefly describes how your background and experience align with this position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by January 6, 2025 for consideration.

Application Link: https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Assistant-Dean-for-Students/60812

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.