What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Dean of Students, Director of Community Building and Connections position at Sewanee?
Depends on Qualifications
Sewanee, TN
Staff Full-Time
202100532
Student Life
Dean of Students
07/09/2026
Position Overview
The Associate Dean works in partnership with campus departments and students to facilitate community-building and identify allies to support a safe, vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive campus climate for all students, faculty and staff both on campus and off campus
This position works with considerable independence and self-direction. Only the general direction and scope of the work to be accomplished are discussed with the supervisor.
Position Appointment Details:
- Career Band: 4A
- Full-Time
Position Description
- Serve as the key deputy to the Dean of Students, representing the office on university committees and with external stakeholders as needed.
- Provide strategic leadership, vision, and supervision for specific functional areas within student affairs, such as Community Building and Connections, Student Conduct, Greek Life and Student Involvement, and student advocacy.
- Help formulate and implement institutional policies and procedures related to student life and services.
- Oversee and manage departmental budgets and conduct program assessments to ensure alignment with divisional goals.
- Lead, mentor, and supervise staff within assigned areas of responsibility.
Community Building and Connections
- Responsible for developing the overall strategy for increasing the matriculation, support, retention, and graduation of students of underrepresented backgrounds.
- Ensures that programming and practices are in alignment with the University’s mission and values, and serves as an advisor of student intercultural organizations.
- Engages and supports cultural organizations within the surrounding community and works closely with student leadership organizations, the Dean of Students, Residence Life, Admissions, as well as other organizations from the surrounding communities and other institutions of higher education.
- Provides support and counseling for underrepresented students and provides leadership in the University’s development of philosophies, policies, and programming regarding the recruitment & retention of diverse student populations.
- Analyzes demographic data to assess campus student diversity reports to ensure effective programming and initiatives are being implemented
- NACCC survey results
- Maintains knowledge of:
- local, state, and federal legislation that directly or indirectly impacts underrepresented students on campus
- best-practice approaches to cultivate belonging, engagement, and community among students
- Manages the unit and office’s budget, including several accounts.
- Community Building and Connections
- Social Impact/Diversity Initiatives
- Student Equity Support Fund
- Rainbow Fund
Student Conduct and Community Standards
- Provide oversight for the management of complex student cases and appeals, ensuring that it aligns with university values and relevant state and federal laws, such as Title IX and the Clery Act.
Student Support, Retention, and Crisis Management
- Serve on the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT)
- Serve on CARE Team
Student Success and Advocacy
- Collaborate with the Dean of Students and departments across campus to promote student success, retention, and graduation.
- Advise the Dean on matters related to fostering a respectful, fair, and welcoming campus environment for all students.
Judgement Required:
- A student-centered philosophy and the ability to balance student needs with institutional policies.
- The capacity to remain calm and decisive in high-pressure situations or emergencies.
- Excellent judgment and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
- A strategic and data-driven approach to program development and assessment.
- Strong collaborative skills to foster a cooperative work environment.
Budgetary Responsibility:
Personal Interaction/Communications:
Internal: Frequent: providing information, participating in committees
External: Extensive involvement with parents, alumni, governing boards, and other institutions
Attributes of a Successful Candidate
Job Specifications/Position Qualifications:
Education:
Masters Degree required. Juris Doctorate (JD) or other terminal degree preferred.
Experience:
At least seven years of experience working in student affairs supporting an executive-level position at a comparable college or university.
Job-Related Skills:
Strong, demonstrated leadership skills and interpersonal communication skills
Supplemental Information
Working Environment:
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The University of the South, familiarly known as “Sewanee,” is home to a nationally recognized College of Arts and Sciences and a School of Theology. Sewanee is distinguished by its dedication to cultivate academic excellence, community values, and environmental stewardship that produces informed, self-aware, and participatory citizens for our democracy and servant-leaders for the world. Nestled on 13,000 acres atop Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, the University offers both a uniquely beautiful setting and convenient access to nearby cities—Chattanooga, Nashville, and Huntsville. The University is affiliated with the Episcopal Church and seeks to be a place where individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences find support, opportunity, and purpose.
Support in the Hiring Process
If you have questions about a position or need assistance filing an application, or if you are a person with a disability and would like to request an accommodation in the application and interview process, please contact Human Resources at 931.598.1381 or hr@sewanee.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of the South is an equal-opportunity institution, dedicated to treating all applicants fairly and fostering a welcoming environment for employees and students alike.
University Benefits
Sewanee, Tennessee, 37383