Dean of Students - Herkimer College

Reports To: Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

Supervises: Director of Residence Life, Director of Counseling Services, Director of Student Activities, and Administrative Assistant

Basic Function: The Dean of Student serves as a key member of the provost's leadership team and provides strategic leadership for the student affairs division. The Dean of Students is responsible for fostering a holistic, inclusive, and student-centered campus environment that supports engagement, wellbeing, belonging, and student success. This leader provides strategic direction for student life and assists with campuswide diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) efforts.

The Dean of Students ensures that all students, including residential, commuter, traditional, and non-traditional populations, have equitable access to the resources, services, and the opportunities necessary for academic achievement and personal development. Key collaborative relationships include campus partners as well as affiliated organizations such as the College Foundation, Housing Corporation, and Faculty Student Association.

Major Responsibilities:

Provide strategic leadership for the student affairs division by developing and implementing a comprehensive vision for the student experience that integrates student life, wellness, engagement, and DEIB initiatives.

Advise the VPASA and senior leadership regarding emerging student needs, campus climate, and institutional strategies that support student engagement, belonging, and success.

Partner with faculty, staff, and campus leadership to embed inclusive practices across programs, services, and campus culture, while developing and assessing strategies to address barriers to equity.

Provide leadership and administrative oversight for residential life, counseling services, and student activities.

Ensure high-quality, student-focused programming and services that strengthen engagement, leadership development, retention, and student success.

Oversee coordinated student support and crisis response protocols in collaboration with Counseling Services and Residential Life, including partnership with Campus Safety to support a safe and welcoming campus environment.

Provide fiscal and operational oversight for reporting units, and assist, when necessary, with auxiliary enterprises such as housing, the Foundation, and the Faculty Student Association.

Strengthen collaboration between enrollment management, student life, and academic affairs to support recruitment, retention, and a holistic student experience.

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and accreditation requirements related to student services, including Title IX, ADA, FERPA, Clery Act, and student conduct regulations.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Experience and Educational Background:

Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, or a related field.

Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership and supervisory experience in student affairs or student affairs-adjacent operations, including significant experience at a college other than the candidate's current institution.

Demonstrated experience leading comprehensive student affairs operations such as residence life, counseling or wellness services, student engagement, and student support programs.

Demonstrated success managing or liaising college auxiliary services.

Demonstrated experience supervising employees and managing complex multi-unit budgets and operations.

Experience supporting or coordinating behavioral intervention teams, student care teams, or threat assessment processes designed to promote student safety and wellbeing.

Experience collaborating with enrollment management and academic affairs to support onboarding, orientation, and first-year experience programs.

Experience developing programs that support first-generation, adult, and non-traditional students.

Demonstrated experience overseeing or supporting college-affiliated student clubs and organizations, including governance, compliance, budgeting, and coordination with institutional leadership.

Demonstrated experience supporting a college's accreditation processes.

Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success.

Strong working knowledge of Title IX, FERPA, Clery Act, and student conduct regulations.

Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Demonstrated ability to establish performance expectations, monitor progress, and use data and feedback to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.

High ethical standards, confidentiality, and sound judgment in sensitive situations.

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate complex institutional issues.

Preferred Experience and Educational Background:

Doctorate in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, or a related field.

Experience developing partnerships with community organizations, school districts, and regional agencies to support student engagement and student support services.

Experience overseeing student conduct systems and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations related to student affairs.

Experience leading cross-divisional initiatives that advance institutional strategic priorities.

Experience fostering and supporting effective shared governance with faculty leadership.

Knowledge of the State University of New York Student Conduct Institute.

Experience working within a multi-campus or public higher education system.

Salary: $77,170 - $115,754