Job Description

The Dean of Students leads the College’s Center for Student Life and Leadership, Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs, and K-12 Programs (High School Enrollment and Early/Middle College). This role manages GRCC’s systems of student conduct, behavioral intervention, and the GRCC Cares network. The Dean also has responsibilities for coordinating retention efforts, in collaboration with direct reports and across Student Affairs. The Dean fosters and sustains a working environment that demonstrates a spirit of collaboration, innovation, access, and inclusion. The Dean is a strategic leader with a deep understanding of and experience with student life, leadership, conduct, and programming to support student belonging, completion, and retention. The Dean works in cooperation with College and Academic and Student Affairs (ASA) leadership to provide programs relevant to students and the community and to help ensure students have the resources and support they need to thrive both academically and personally. To successfully achieve these results, the Dean cultivates effective and mutually beneficial partnerships with internal and external stakeholders. The Dean reports to the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and serves as an active member of multiple leadership teams on campus.

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Requisition ID: 762
Department: Student Affairs
Employee Group: Professional, Management, and Administration (PMA)
Schedule: 40 hours/52 weeks
Compensation: AS1 - $102,037 Annually
Benefits: Full Time
Reports to: Associate Provost of Student Affairs
Posting Opens: 01/16/2025
Posting Closes: Open until filled. Candidate review begins on 02/03/2025

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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide leadership, support, and supervision for the Dean of Students’ area, including the Center for Student Life and Leadership, Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs, K-12 Programs (High School Enrollment and Early/Middle College), and Student Retention.
• Oversee campus programs for retention, as related to student conduct and behavioral intervention as well as the GRCC Cares network, including the emergency funding processes.
• Ensure that the values of equity and inclusion are present in all student programming in the Dean of Students’ area to best support student access, retention, and completion.
• Provide leadership to develop and promote K-12 initiatives with education partners.
• Evaluate and track effectiveness of services and programs, making data-informed recommendations for developing and implementing improvements and changes to ensure services are effective and meet student and community needs.
• Ensure the appropriate implementation of the Late Semester Hardship Withdrawal policy and related processes and procedures. Serve as a voting member on the Late Semester Hardship Request committee. Review and render final appeal decisions related to this policy.
• Support and participate in, as appropriate, the work of the College’s behavioral intervention teams.
• Review, when necessary, student conduct concerns as consistent with College policies and procedures.
• Support the Director of the Center for Student Life and Leadership in their work to oversee the GRCC food pantry, basic needs resources, and food and housing insecurities by measuring student need and outcomes
• Support the infusion of cultural competencies in the co-curricular program curriculum in collaboration with the Director of the Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs, faculty members, and other College leaders.
• Support the Coordinator of Student Retention in their work to determine appropriate interventions to promote and improve student academic success and to connect students who need academic support with appropriate faculty, staff, and resources.
• Review and analyze data relevant to student access, retention, and completion, in collaboration with Institutional Research and direct reports.
• Collaborate with Instructional Support and Institutional Planning to support co-curricular program review and annual program evaluation for the Dean of Students’ area according to college-wide processes.
• Collaborate with the Director of the Center for Student Life and Leadership and the Teaching, Learning, and Distance Education (TLDE) department to create communications, training, and resource materials to promote awareness and participation in GRCC’s basic needs, conduct, and behavioral systems among all GRCC faculty and staff.
• Promote an environment in which students are respected and welcomed.
• Monitor and document improvement in the student experience through oversight of the student complaint process.
• Participate in emergency planning, management, and response efforts.
• Encourage connections within the Dean of Students’ area and across Academic and Student Affairs to enhance the student experience through innovative co-curricular programming, leadership, and learning experiences.
• Ensure timely submission and review of annual department plans and reports in alignment to the Associate Provost of Student Affairs’ vision, the College’s strategic plan, and mission of the College.
• Collaborate with direct reports and provide support to manage departmental budgets in the Dean of Students’ area.
• Collaborate with the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and direct reports to identify and implement professional development initiatives for direct reports and staff members in the Dean of Students’ area.
• Participate in the supervision and evaluation of office staff.
• Conduct mid-year and annual performance reviews for direct reports.
• Approve payroll and leaves for direct reports.
• Participate in college-wide planning as appropriate, including but not limited to planning related to the strategic plan, budget development, emergency response, and facility master planning.
• Through continued study and participation in professional organizations, maintain an understanding and working knowledge of current ideas, research, and practices related to student access, retention, and completion.
• Be knowledgeable about national trends in higher education, especially related to student life, leadership, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Serve on cross-college teams, including the Academic Governing Council (AGC), Strategic Leadership Team (SLT), ASA Council, AGC-sponsored teams, and others, as directed by the Associate Provost of Student Affairs.
• Regular attendance during normal scheduled hours is required. Being present is essential for serving stakeholders and performing the essential functions of this position.
• Persons in this role are identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs will be trained and responsible for reporting Clery Reportable Crimes to Campus Police as required by the Clery Act.
• In collaboration with staff, provide periodic reviews of internal systems to assure accurate and timely work.
• Prepare for and participate in multiple yearly GRCC, state, and federal audits and monitor visits, as directed by the Associate Provost of Student Affairs.
• Other duties as assigned by the Associate Provost of Student Affairs.

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JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education Credentials

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution is required.
• Doctoral degree is preferred.

Work Experience

• At least three years’ experience in a role responsible for leadership and oversight of student-facing educational programming in a higher education setting or related higher education experience is required.
• Demonstrated experience with developing and moving forward initiatives that advance equity, access, and inclusion in a collaborative environment is required.
• Demonstrated successful advocacy for students and students’ needs is required.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience of staff is required.
• Experience working in a community college is preferred.
• Experience working in a collective bargaining environment is preferred.

Skills

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of the significance of cultural competency and an understanding and appreciation for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Proven ability to manage multiple, complex tasks according to required deadlines, and maintain composure under high stress conditions.
• Proven ability to work effectively both as a supervisor/leader and to collaborate as a member of a team.
• Proven ability to exercise discretion and tact in all interpersonal contacts, and to maintain confidentiality at all times.

Mental Demands

• Highly motivated, focused, and results-oriented.
• Ability to be optimistic, positive, and supportive in all interactions with others.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Physical Demands

• The position requires long periods of sitting, standing, reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Working Conditions

• GRCC will comply with any mandated health and safety requirements. Compliance information is available on our policies website.
• Must be able to attend functions off campus and work weekends/evenings as required.
• Professional travel required.

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BENEFITS

• Health Coverage: Six health insurance plan options, including one with no health insurance premiums
• Time off: Enjoy substantial vacation time
• Wellness Program: Access resources for physical and mental wellbeing, and an onsite gym membership
• Continuous Learning: Career development and educational opportunities
• Retirement Plans: Secure your future with our retirement options, including the state retirement plan or a 401(a) with a 12% employer contribution

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NEXT STEPS / APPLICATION PROCESS

• Please fill out an application at https://www.grcc.edu/careers. Submit a cover letter and resume. The opportunity to apply for this position will close at the end of the day on the close date referenced at the top of this job posting

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HIRING PROCESS

GRCC uses an Evidence Based Selection Process, where we make data driven hiring decisions to help mitigate bias throughout the hiring process. As part of this process, candidates will participate in reference checks, interviews, and forums.

Individuals with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Grand Rapids Community College is an equal opportunity employer. Visa sponsorship is not available

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NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

Grand Rapids Community College creates an inclusive learning and working environment that recognizes the value and dignity of each person. It is the policy and practice of GRCC to provide equal educational and employment opportunities regardless of age, race, color, religion, marital status, sex/gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, height, weight, national origin, disability, political affiliation, familial status, veteran status or genetics in all programs, activities, services, employment and advancement including admissions to, access to, treatment in, or compensation in employment as required by state and federal law. GRCC is committed to reviewing all aspects of GRCC programs, activities, services and employment, including recruitment, selection, retention and promotion to identify and eliminate barriers in order to prevent discrimination on the basis of the listed protected characteristics. The college will not tolerate any form of retaliation against any person for bringing charges of discrimination or participating in an investigation. Further information may be obtained from the EEO Office or the Office of General Counsel, 143 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3295.

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