Dean of Students (Institutional)

Overview:

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is a multidenominational, evangelical graduate school committed to equipping Christian leaders to think theologically, engage globally, and live biblically. With nearly 1,400 students across campuses in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida, and online, Gordon-Conwell’s student body represents more than eighty-five denominations and fifty countries. The seminary offers master’s and doctoral programs—delivered in English, Spanish, and Portuguese—that combine academic excellence, spiritual formation, and a deep commitment to Scripture. Its 12,000 alumni serve Christ through ministry in the church, the academy, and the workplace. Gordon-Conwell is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, the New England Commission of Higher Education, and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

Position Summary:

The Dean of Students holds primary responsibility for fostering and sustaining a safe, healthy, and supportive environment that holistically nurtures students’ intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual growth. This role provides leadership for the Student Life Department, serving all Gordon-Conwell students—including approximately 250 residential students in Hamilton, MA; nearly 850 Networked Education adult-learner students studying in several languages, primarily served from Charlotte, NC; and additionally supporting around 400 post-graduate students. The Dean of Students develops, implements, and assesses strategies and programs aligned with the Seminary’s student service philosophy, focusing on areas such as student engagement, events, and community life/ ethos designed to connect students into a network of vibrant learning communities. The department also oversees housing and residence life, campus safety, and co-curricular opportunities for formation. This position ensures robust student life throughout the institution and serves as an appointed member of the President’s Cabinet. 

Key Responsibilities:  

Administration/Leadership  

•    Leadership: Is responsible for leadership and supervision of the Student Life Team. Leadership shall include strategic planning, program assessment, and evaluation consistent with the Seminary ethos.  Develops and manages annual budgets for Student Life Office; oversees budgets for departments within Student Life. The Dean of Students is part of a collaborative team that makes key decisions on policies, procedures and responses related to academics, student well-being and safety for the school. In coordination with the VP, this position works collaboratively with the Academic Dean, Registration, Student Success, Communications and others. This position serves on the President’s Cabinet, advocating for the needs of all students.  

•    Policies and Procedures: Is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of policies and regulations of the Seminary as they pertain to students and their formation. Oversees the annual updates to the Student Handbook and provides counsel in the revision of the campus housing manual, International Student Handbook, and other publications. Contributes to the development of various academic policies and updates in coordination with Registration and other offices.  

•    Assessment: Oversees the administration of the instruments that collect data on the student experience: Entering Student Questionnaire, Current Student Satisfaction Survey, Graduating Student Questionnaire. Convenes regular cross-departmental meetings to review the data and report to relevant stakeholders.  

•    Manages, advises and counsels the all-GCTS Student Council. 

•    Oversees operations at the Charlotte Campus and various regional hub sites, working to ensure a student-centric approach consistent with the programming goals for Networked Ed students (see below).

Student Care/Development:

•    The Dean of Students helps to establish and develop a culture that encourages spiritual and character formation, and where diversity is encouraged. Serving as a role model of these characteristics, the Dean will cultivate an atmosphere where students learn to respect differences, take responsibility for their actions, and exercise leadership.  To support this goal, the Dean designs, directs and coordinates programs and interventions to provide service to all students and their families, which promote quality of student life consistent with the Seminary ethos.

•    Institutional Role:  Ensures compliance and oversight to all Seminary Student Life personnel on various student services and student life issues and initiatives. Works with stakeholders to ensure campus safety in all locations. Part of the response for any crisis on Charlotte campus. 

•    Provides leadership to the Conduct Review Committee, which gives counsel and support to students and conducts formal hearings to address student matters that may require disciplinary action, including academic integrity matters. 

•    Administers academic extensions for Networked Education students, along with coordination with the Student Success and Registration departments.

•    Charlotte Campus/Networked Education: Provides counsel for students on a range of personal, spiritual and formation matters, and when appropriate, refers students to other suitable persons, professionals or proper agencies as necessary. 

Programming

•    Ensures appropriate and mission-oriented programming is happening throughout the institution. The Dean of Students will oversee and develop “hubs” for current students to engage in communities of learning for support and encouragement based on geography. 

•    Oversees the welcome experience for all students at Gordon-Conwell. Develops streamlined communication avenues for Networked Education students to connect with each other and with resources, programs, and events available to them. 

•    The Dean of Students serves on the Networked Education Admissions Review Committee, and various ad hoc committees addressing concerns of the institution (for example, Community Life Statement Review Committee, Artificial Intelligence Committee, etc.).

Compliance

•    Serves as Title IX Investigator. Responsible for ADA compliance, including prompt handling of student inquiries, recommended accommodations, and equitable resolution of complaints.  

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.  

Key Competencies:  

•    Communication and Interpersonal Effectiveness: It is very important that the Dean of Students be adept in strong empathy skills with an intuitive grasp of how to interpret human behavior. Must be at ease communicating and building rapport in a range of settings, with both individuals and groups.   

•    Pastoral Care: Provide effective spiritual support and guidance that contributes to well-being of students, and that addresses concerns in a respectful and sensitive manner.    

•    Global and Multi-cultural Understanding: Demonstrated skill and effectiveness in leadership and in human relations with a sensitivity to and knowledge of multicultural issues and diverse student population needs are essential.  

•    Collaborative Leadership: Demonstrated ability to work collegially and respectfully within a matrixed organization, and across all levels in the organization, from the President, to peers, faculty and staff across campuses and programs.   

•    Agreement and commitment to GCTS’s Statement of Faith and The Mission of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Community Life Statement. 

Education & Experience:  

•    A master’s degree is required; a PhD or DMin is preferred. 

•    A minimum of five years working in student affairs/higher education or in an area that is demonstrably relatable to seminary education is required. Experience at a Christian organization aligned with Gordon-Conwell's mission, values and community life statement is preferred.  

•    He/she must possess prior experience in developing, coordinating and directing adult-learner development, preferably at the graduate education level, but at a minimum within contexts that are clearly relatable to seminary education. A solid understanding of and proactive approach to student development and student life services is required.  

Application Process: 

Please apply through Gordon-Conwell’s Career Center available here: https://www.gordonconwell.edu/employment/

Please include these documents in either Microsoft Word or PDF formats:

•    A cover letter addressed to the Dean of Students Search Committee explaining your interest in the position required.

•    A formal CV that includes the names of at least three references required.

No hard copy materials, please. Opportunities to interview will be made available at the search committee’s initiative. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.