Category:: Staff and Administrators
Department:: 3010 (DOCL-Dean of the College office)
Locations:: Worcester, MA
Posted:: Jul 22, 2020
Closes:: Open Until Filled
Type:: Full-time - Exempt
Ref. No.:: 190274
Position ID:: 123670

About Clark University:

Founded in 1887, Clark was one of the first all-graduate institutions in the United States. Today the University is a highly-ranked, student-centered institution educating approximately 2,350 undergraduate and 1,150 graduate students to be imaginative and contributing citizens of the world and to advance the frontiers of knowledge and understanding through rigorous scholarship and creative effort. This commitment to scholarship and inquiry reflects the University's commitment to "challenge convention and change our world" and to address issues of critical importance to society. It is also reflected by Clark's many national and international distinctions, including recognition for its diversity and inclusion efforts, innovation, community engagement and impact, as a top green campus, and for having a distinguished geography and international development program. Clark has also been included in the groundbreaking Colleges that Change Lives guide since it was first published in 1996.

Clark is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, a dynamic, diverse city "on the rise." The second largest city in New England, Worcester is home to 11 institutions of higher learning and is increasingly recognized for its growing healthcare and biotechnology communities, its thriving cultural scene, and as a vibrant food hub

Job Description:

Clark University seeks to fill the position of Associate Dean for Academic Enhancements. This position will support the Dean of the College in curricular planning and innovation and supervise units that offer special academic opportunities both on and off campus.

Reporting to the Associate Provost and Dean of the College, the Associate Dean for Academic Enhancements will be a key member of the LEEP Student Success Network?Clark's comprehensive wraparound services team dedicated to a holistic approach to student advising and success.

The Associate Dean will also collaborate with academic departments and faculty, as well as collaborate closely with the Dean of Students Office, Counseling & Personal Growth, Student Accessibility Services, Residential Life & Housing, Student Leadership & Programming, the Registrar, International Students & Scholars, Financial Aid, Career Connections Center, and other offices in the LEEP Student Success Network to coordinate support for students. This position provides a unique opportunity to work with a committed team of staff dedicated to student success.

The Associate Dean for Academic Enhancements will be responsible for developing, implementing and assessing strategies to support Clark's undergraduate LEEP curriculum. Key areas of oversight include Prestigious Fellowships and Scholarships, Study Abroad and Away, Community Engagement and Volunteering, the First Year Experience program, and related grant-supported academic initiatives.

In addition to overseeing the staff and operations of the key areas above, the Associate Dean of Academic Enhancements will coordinate academic engagement opportunities for and communications with faculty, students, families, and alumni, including open houses, majors fairs, and research festivals such as Fall Fest and Academic Spree Day, and represent the Dean of the College at Admissions- and Advancement-hosted events; and enhance and support student research and activities, and opportunity funding and awards, such as the Steinbrecher Fellowships, SURJ, and The Scarlet.

The Associate Dean will also work closely with the Dean of the College on strategic planning and execution of new academic initiatives. This work requires the Associate Dean to serve as the principal liaison in strategic partnerships with the following divisions and offices: Information Technology on academic technologies for curricular as well as advising support; the Career Connections Center on pre- and post-graduation opportunities and support; the School of Professional Studies on undergraduate curricula and academic policies; the Graduate School on the Accelerated Degree Program process; with STAIR on data gathering and analysis; Office of Sponsored Programs and Research on grant proposals and implementation; and Marketing and Communications on communications and web presence.

The Associate Dean serves as a member of the Dean of the College leadership team participating in overall direction, policy development, strategic planning and enrollment management, assessment of programs and initiatives, and project management; interacts directly with students, as well as works collaboratively with partners across the University including close partnerships with faculty to develop and implement critical initiatives to enhance Clark's undergraduate curriculum.

This position has oversight of the following key offices in the Dean of the College:

• First-Year Experience
• Study Abroad & Away
• Community Engagement and Volunteering
• Prestigious Fellowships and Scholarships (External)
• Student Fellowships, Internships, Awards, and Opportunity Funding (Internal)
• Grant-supported academic initiatives and implementation
• Faculty, student, families, and Alumni Engagement and Communication
• Data collection, assessment, and stewardship
• Interdivisional Strategic Partnerships (with CCC, SPS, STAIR, IT, Admissions, Advancement, and Marketing and Communications)

Responsibilities include:

Strategic Work Around Retention

• Collaborate with the Associate Dean of Academic Support to contribute to improved student retention and graduation rates.

• Provide leadership, develop programming, and serve as liaison with faculty and other administrative units to further enhance the academic accomplishments of undergraduate students, with particular attention to those most at-risk of attrition including those who are first generation college, lower socio-economic, have family or personal challenges, under-represented student populations.
• Serve as a primary liaison between Academic Affairs and other units within the LEEP Student Success Network. Lead cross-divisional committees to address immediate intervention as well as long-term student success strategies.
• Empower and encourage all members of the community to engage in retention and student success efforts.
• Utilize institutional data to inform development of services, programs and interventions, especially around retention/persistence; gather data and report as requested on retention issues. Regularly evaluate and assess academic success and retention initiatives, providing insight into current research, best practices, and technology applications.
• Investigate and pursue potential grant opportunities to support success and retention initiatives.

Supervision of Academic Enhancements Units:

• Manage a comprehensive academic support unit within the Dean of the College office including oversight of areas that focus on curricular and co-curricular experiences. Direct reports include the directors of Study Abroad and Away, Prestigous Fellowships and Scholarships, Community Engagement and Volunteering and the Director of First Year Experience.
• Serve on committees within the University and attend staff meetings as required.

Other duties as required by the Dean of the College.

Requirements:

• Doctorate degree required; preferably in higher education administration, student development, student personnel or related field from an accredited institution

• Minimum of 7 years of higher education experience with increasing responsibility in the area of curricular and co-curricular development and student success and/or retention.
• In-depth knowledge of current research and best practices in co-curricular functional areas.
• Demonstrated success at relationship-building and collaborating with different campus constituencies.
• Demonstrated management experience, leading teams, providing coaching and staff development
• Strong organizational, writing, speaking, and supervisory skills. Oral and written skills to communicate in a diverse environment at all levels, with tact and diplomacy in order to achieve program and campus goals. Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated experience embedding an anti-racist, diverse and inclusive lens into curricular and co-curricular programs.
• Skill in handling the academic and social pressures encountered by students at a highly-selective, liberal arts-based research university.
• Experience with grant writing and grant oversight.
• Experience working with Banner would be desirable.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a dynamic and diverse environment, with a committed and engaged faculty, and with a highly creative student population.
• Demonstrated strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills to review and analyze complex information.

This is a full-time position with excellent benefits, which include employee and family tuition benefits, 4 weeks' vacation, generous retirement plan, free use of campus fitness center and many more.

Additional Information:

Clark University embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action as core values: we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. This commitment applies to every aspect of education, services, and employment policies and practices at Clark. Our commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. All positions at Clark share in the responsibility for building a community that values diversity and the uniqueness of others by exhibiting integrity and respect in interacting with all members of the Clark community to create an atmosphere of fairness and belonging. We strongly encourage members from historically underrepresented communities, inclusive of all women, to apply.

Application Instructions:

To be considered for this position, you must submit your credentials online. Create a Clark University Careers Account by clicking on the APPLY NOW button below.

Applications should include a letter explaining the match between the qualities and qualifications of the candidate and the position requirements, a resume, and a list of at least three references with contact information.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Salary will be commensurate with skills and experience.

See the FAQ for using our online system. Please contact us if you need assistance applying through this website.

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