Associate Vice President and Dean of Students

Job Purpose
The Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students provides leadership, direction and oversight for Student Affairs departments focused on the health and well-being of students and ensures that services and resources are available to support student success. As such, the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students supervises the Counseling Center, Disability Support Services, the Health Center, Student Conduct and Civility Education and student Case Management. This position oversees the University’s Behavioral Intervention Team addressing students of concern and coordinates the management of student behavior in general for the campus. Informed by a commitment to and understanding of the importance of a diverse and inclusive campus community, the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students will coordinate and collaborate with other divisional and campus leaders in educating the campus on issues relating to student behavior management and student success.        

Description

Leadership and Management
Provide leadership in the administration and strategic planning for Student Affairs including the Counseling Center, Disability Support Services, the Health Center, Student Conduct and Civility Education, and student Case Management. Responsible for overall strategic planning and budget preparation in coordination with departmental directors. Assure that departments participate in active assessment processes and regularly report on their success. 

Collaborate with the Vice President of Student Affairs and other Divisional leaders including the Associate Vice President and Assistant Vice Presidents to produce a comprehensive and robust Student Affairs portfolio of student services and programs. Serve on the Vice President’s Council and the Student Affairs Leadership Team. Beyond the Division, work with colleagues in Academic Affairs, the Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity, the Division of Administration and Finance and with faculty and staff on programs and projects as assigned. 

Assist directors in problem-solving in their areas of expertise which may affect the campus. Examples include playing a strong role in decisions regarding emergency suspensions through Student Conduct and Civility Education; the management of campus health related issues such as a flu epidemic or other highly contagious disease; disability related concerns which may affect the campus; or the management of student mental health crises.

Management of Student Behavior
Oversee the coordination of the University’s Behavioral Intervention Team (CARE Team) and process. Ensure students of concern and their behavior are addressed in a coordinated effort by the appropriate departments. Oversee the process of students returning to campus after concerning events involving student safety, including mandating mental health evaluations and treatment plans. Convene the campus threat assessment team when necessary. Coordinate after-hours staff response to student emergencies including outreach to students’ emergency contacts and other necessary problem-solving. Advise the Vice President when necessary. 

Develop and implement policies, procedures and best practices reflecting current trends in interventions and support for students in distress. Work proactively within and outside of the Division of Student Affairs on providing information on the management of student behavior. Work directly with the Provost’s Office, College Deans and Council of Chairs to develop information and trainings to educate faculty about how to work with students of concern and how to connect them to appropriate resources and support.

Compliance
Assure Divisional compliance with federal and state regulations including FERPA, the Drug-Free Campus, Title IX, Child Abuse Policy, the Americans with Disabilities Act, etc. Work closely with the Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity and the Office of the University Counsel in the management of student concerns, Title IX, Hate/Bias incidents and sexual violence cases. 

Crisis Management
Serve as resident expert on institutional crisis management response for the Division. Participate in University All Hazards Committee and emergency response programs. Ensure that Division leadership is informed on their roles in campus emergency response.

Substance Education
Oversee and provide leadership for the University’s Substance Education Programs ensuring an active educational program addressing the issues of alcohol and other drugs on and off campus. Assist campus entities in using best practices that involve both environmental and individual approaches. Coordinate efforts with the Baltimore County Underage Drinking Coalition, the Maryland Alcohol Collaborative and support the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) grant program coordinated by the Counseling Center’s Substance Treatment Program. Assure compliance with federal and state requirements around alcohol and opioid education and the production of the biennial report on Alcohol and Other Drugs Programs.

Assessment
Oversee the Divisional Assessment processes. Co-chair the Divisional Assessment Committee, ensuring that all departments are submitting assessment projects in line with University assessment requirements. Represent the Division on the University’s Subcommittee for Unit Effectiveness and the University Assessment Committee. Ensure that the Divisional Assessment Committee maintains a list of all Divisional Assessment projects and assist with the timing and planning of large scale assessment projects including CAS Standard Reviews and national surveys. Keep the Vice President’s Council informed on assessment initiatives and University-wide assessments. Supervise a Graduate Assistant for Assessment and act as the point person for the Campus Labs relationship.

Committees
Serve as Chair of Divisional and University Committees as assigned. Current committee assignments include Chair of the Substance Education Committee, the Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Education Committee, the University Relations Committee and the Assessment Committee. 

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree or equivalent in higher education, student development/personnel, counseling or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs or other relevant experience in higher education.
• Managerial experience in supervision of staff and budget management.
• Experience with coordination of response and care for complex student issues demonstrated through some combination of
• experience in student services, mental and behavioral health, student conduct or related area.
• Knowledge of higher education and student affairs; knowledge of theories of student development, cultural competence, ethical decision-making, and restorative practices.
• Knowledge and demonstrated application of laws and federal regulations related to student privacy, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other areas relevant to the management of student concerns.
• Desire to build community, demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion and commitment to create positive change.
• Excellent oral and written communication; strong analytical skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of assessment practices in student affairs.
• Evidence of organizational understanding and ability to work collaboratively with diverse staff and faculty and across divisions.

A Criminal Background Investigation is required for the hired candidate and the results may impact employment.

Salary and Benefits
Competitive salary and full university benefits that include excellent health, life insurance, and retirement plans; tuition remission; and 22 days of annual leave, 14 holidays, personal and sick days. To learn more about our benefits, please click here.

This position will be open for a minimum of 14 days. Cover letter and resume are required.

Apply
To view and apply to current job openings please visit www.towson.edu/jobs.

Office of Human Resources
8000 York Road
Towson, Maryland
21252-0001

Towson University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and has a strong institutional commitment to diversity. Women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to: adarequest@towson.edu.

Towson University is a smoke-free campus.