TITLE: Dean of Students
DEPARTMENT: Student Affairs
REPORTS TO: Vice Provost of Student Affairs
CLASSIFICATION: Staff-12 months
EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD
STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5 hours per week
LOCATION: On-Site Main Campus
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time
EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
JOB SUMMARY:
Under the general direction of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs, the Dean of Students provides executive leadership, vision, and oversight for programs, services, and policies that promote student success, engagement, and well-being. The position serves as a central advocate and resource for students, assisting in the resolution of complex University-related concerns while promoting academic success, personal development, leadership, and responsible citizenship.
The Dean of Students provides strategic oversight for multiple Student Affairs functional areas, including Student Conduct, Residence Life, Student Engagement and Activities, and Career Services, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and compliance with applicable policies, standards, and regulations. This position requires a regular, reliable, and consistent on-campus presence to effectively perform leadership, supervisory, crisis response, and student engagement responsibilities and is not suitable for remote work except as approved in accordance with University policy.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
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Provides executive leadership for the development, implementation, and evaluation of student success, engagement, conduct, residential life, and career development programs and services.
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Provides direct supervision, mentorship, and evaluation of administrative leaders within Student Affairs functional areas, including Student Conduct, Residence Life, Student Activities and Engagement, and Career Services.
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Ensures compliance with University policies, accreditation standards, and applicable federal and state regulations, including FERPA, the Clery Act, ADA, and other relevant requirements.
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Oversees continuous assessment, data collection, and program evaluation to support evidence-based decision-making and improvement of student services.
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Provides oversight of the student conduct system (excluding Title IX cases), ensuring fair, consistent, and educational application of the Student Code of Conduct.
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Supervises the administration of conduct processes, including training staff in conduct systems (e.g., Maxient), supporting adjudication processes, and advising student conduct boards or hearing bodies.
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Collaborates with University leadership to review, develop, and update student conduct policies, procedures, and related institutional publications.
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Provides leadership and fiscal oversight for residence life and housing operations, including residential education, staffing, and student development programming.
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Supports the development and implementation of living-learning communities and residential engagement initiatives that enhance student success and retention.
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Provides oversight of student activities and engagement programs, including campus-wide events, student organizations, leadership development initiatives, and co-curricular programming.
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Fosters collaboration across academic and administrative units to enhance student engagement, belonging, and campus involvement.
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Provides strategic leadership for career services and professional development programs supporting students and alumni.
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Responds to student crises, behavioral concerns, and complex student issues in collaboration with campus partners and appropriate University resources.
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Serves as a member of the University’s emergency response structure and provides leadership in managing student-related incidents and critical situations.
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Oversees medical withdrawals, hardship withdrawals, and related student support processes, ensuring appropriate documentation and timely resolution.
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Maintains visibility and engagement with the campus community through participation in student events, University programs, and institutional activities.
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Maintains a regular, reliable, and consistent on-campus presence to effectively perform the essential functions of the position.
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Performs other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:
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Comprehensive knowledge of student development theory, higher education administration, and student affairs best practices.
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Knowledge of student conduct systems, behavioral intervention models, crisis response management, and student support frameworks.
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Knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations governing higher education, including FERPA, the Clery Act, ADA, and related compliance requirements.
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Strong leadership and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex functional areas.
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Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate student-centered programs, policies, and services.
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Ability to interpret institutional policies and apply sound judgment in complex student situations.
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Strong fiscal management, budgeting, and resource allocation skills.
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Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
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Ability to respond effectively and calmly in crisis and high-pressure situations.
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Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and external partners.
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Ability to analyze data, assess program effectiveness, and support institutional decision-making.
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Proficiency with office productivity software, student conduct systems, data management tools, and communication technologies.
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Ability to exercise discretion, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive information appropriately.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
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This position has direct supervisory responsibility for multiple professional staff and administrative units within Student Affairs.
OTHER DUTIES:
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Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
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Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Higher Education Administration, Student Personnel Administration, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field is required.
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Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in higher education, including at least three (3) years of supervisory experience of exempt professional staff.
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Experience in student conduct, residence life, student engagement, or student services leadership is required.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
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Work is performed primarily in a professional office environment with frequent interaction with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and external stakeholders.
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Frequent evening, weekend, and occasional holiday work may be required to support student programs, campus events, crisis response, and institutional needs.
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This position requires active engagement in student life activities and may involve responding to student emergencies or urgent situations outside standard working hours.
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Work requires regular use of computers and office equipment and may involve prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and participation in campus activities.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa
Internal candidates are encouraged to apply.
KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.
