Assistant Dean of Students & Mission

University of St Thomas•Saint Paul, MN

1d•$95,000 - $105,000

About The Position

The University of St. Thomas invites qualified candidates to apply for an Assistant Dean of Students & Mission position within the School of Law. The University of St. Thomas embraces belonging and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion an inclusive environment. The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic. This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good. A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission. The assistant dean of students and mission will report to the dean of the law school and work closely with faculty and staff to ensure that UST Law elevates and integrates its mission as a Catholic law school into the life of the school and UST Law students experience a supportive, inclusive, and successful learning environment for their legal education and professional formation. The assistant dean will function as the primary (1) advocate for law students, including their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being; (2) liaison between students and administration, faculty, and staff; and (3) facilitator for students, faculty, and staff on activities and programs related to the law school’s mission. The assistant dean works to advance and elevate the law school’s mission, to foster existing student-focused programs, and to develop new programs and initiatives that will enhance the law school experience for all students. The assistant dean also handles various student issues, including disciplinary matters, discrimination and sexual harassment claims, student policies, and other student concerns. The assistant dean will work closely with other student-focused roles within the law school, including but not limited to the associate dean of academic affairs, director of academic affairs/registrar, director of academic achievement and bar success, associate dean of external relations, director of alumni affairs, events manager, and office of career and professional development.

Requirements

Master’s degree
Seven years of related professional experience including supervisory experience

Nice To Haves

J.D., Ph.D. or the equivalent
Ten years of professional experience
Background in student services, counseling, or education including work with faith-based schools or organizations is desirable
Demonstrated ability to work with widely diverse individuals and groups of people
Proven leadership skills, organizational understanding, and ability to work collaboratively in a multifaceted institution

Responsibilities

Student Wellbeing, Policies, and Counseling
Help to build community by working to create a positive and inclusive campus environment that supports student success, well-being, and wellness in educating the whole person—mind, body, and soul, including supervising and overseeing wellness initiatives.
Work closely with the associate dean for academic affairs, director of academic affairs, faculty, and staff to counsel and support students in the areas of academic accommodations, disability services, faculty complaints, petitions, and other student issues that affect the academic and student experience.
Collaborate with the associate dean for academic affairs on student discipline, professionalism, and conduct issues, including investigations and hearings, and interpreting and enforcing academic policies, codes of conduct, and honor codes.
Work closely with students when formal complaints are filed, including complaints involving inappropriate student conduct, harassment, discrimination, or misconduct, and coordinate with all University stakeholders, including the General Counsel, Vice President for Student Affairs, and Title IX coordinator, consistent with University processes and procedures.
Develop policies and procedures involving student conduct with a specific focus on restorative justice and healing, a prompt response to student concerns and issues, and consistency and procedural integrity in policy application.
Communicate information to students in a timely manner regarding rules, procedures, policies and the mechanisms for redress.
Work closely with the associate dean for academic affairs, director of academic achievement, faculty, and staff to identify and support students facing difficult personal and academic issues such as mental health challenges, stress management, time management, academic development, character and fitness concerns, professional development, and professional identity formation.
Work with the director of academic achievement and bar success, director of academic affairs, counselors, and clergy on the Minneapolis campus to proactively assist students who are struggling with issues involving academic performance, emotional and mental wellbeing, and professional formation and, as appropriate, facilitate referrals for students to external professionals.
Serve as the point person for student crises, including medical emergencies, academic dismissal, misconduct, bar exam failure, and unexpected personal or family tragedies, and develop crisis response protocols with university and law school leadership.
Work with the associate dean of admissions and admissions committee to identify, recruit, and retain outstanding mission-focused first-year students, transfer students, and LL.M. students.
Assist in counseling students, especially first-generation students, to help them adjust to law school and provide guidance concerning professional life post-graduation.
Maintain records and report on student satisfaction, retention, and success metrics.
Student Organizations and Activities
Serve as the official advisor to student government and all student organizations, including:
approving new student organizations;
monitoring the work and activities of all student organizations including financial oversight;
developing policies and procedures for operational effectiveness in the day-to-day administration of activities;
demonstrating commitment and support by attending meetings and functions sponsored by student organizations; and
providing leadership training and mentoring emerging student leaders.
Work closely with the student body president and student group leaders to identify and resolve student concerns or problems.
Assist with planning and implementing student government policies.
Provide leadership to student organizations with respect to events, budgets, communication and marketing.
Implement and enforce student travel and reimbursement policies.
Provide administrative support for co-curriculars, such as journals, moot court, student competitions, and trial advocacy, in coordination with faculty supervisors and director of finance and operations.
Student Programming, Integration, and Communications
Develop, implement, and reimagine programs and events designed to assist each student in his or her personal, spiritual, academic, and professional development.
Working closely with the events manager, staff, and relevant committees, help to implement student-centered law school events/programs such as mission roundtables, mission awards program, Mass and other opportunities for prayer and worship, social justice programs and outreach, public service board, first-year orientation (in coordination with the associate dean of admissions), and commencement.
Oversee and manage the budget for student programs, events, and other activities.
Coordinate service opportunities and projects including pro bono and public service initiatives.
Promote events and activities of other departments and centers in the law school and support the director of alumni relations on events and activities involving alumni and student organizations.
Serve as a liaison between students, faculty, staff, and administrators, fostering communication and collaboration, and integrate students into the academic, social, and spiritual life of the law school.
Work closely with the marketing and communications director to implement effective communication strategies with respect to students, including by highlighting student successes on awards, accomplishments, presentations, and publications, and ensure that communication tools accurately and effectively promote excellence in the student experience.
Solicit insight and feedback on the student experience and make appropriate recommendations to the dean, associate deans, faculty, and staff as necessary.
Mission and Mission-Oriented Activities and Events
The assistant dean is charged with advancing the mission of the University of St. Thomas as a Catholic law school and integrating the mission in specific ways into the life of the law school. The assistant dean will serve as a point person for elevating and integrating mission-aligned principles and policies at the law school. Working with the dean, associate dean of academic affairs, vice president for mission, law school chaplain, and campus ministry, as well as local bishops and clergy, the assistant dean will promote the mission and vision of the law school as a national Catholic law school focused on excellence and love. To this end, the assistant dean will:
Foster a culture of encounter, unity, and love in which each student is known, served, and loved;
Integrate principles of Catholic Social Teaching and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition into student life;
Expose students of all faiths and no faith to these principles;
Organize and support activities related to spiritual life, including Mass and other liturgical celebrations and events, working in coordination with the events manager and Spiritual Life Committee;
Celebrate seasons of the liturgical year—e.g., Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter;
Highlight and host inter-faith spirituality sessions;
Partner with other law school units including centers, institutes, programs, and student organizations on mission-related activities including Weekly Manna;
Organize and lead mission-oriented retreats for faculty, staff, and students;
Identify and promote mission-oriented themes for the law school; and
Incorporate faith-based and ethical principles and values into the professional development and formation of faculty, staff, and students.
Administration and Strategic Plan Execution
Serve on law school leadership teams, ensuring student concerns are integrated into policy decisions.
Work closely with dean, associate dean for academic affairs, and associate dean for external relations to ensure students, faculty, and staff effectively implement the strategic plan, including execution of key priorities and achievement of key performance indicators, particularly metrics relating to students.
Help ensure that execution of the strategic plan advances the mission of the University and School of Law, especially with respect to students and student outcomes.
Work closely with the marketing and communications director to ensure strategic objectives and pillars are salient in communications with students, as well as faculty and staff.
Help to create timelines and organize committees and task forces with clear roles and responsibilities to ensure successful execution of the strategic plan.
Monitor progress and evaluate results of strategic plan, especially as they relate to student wellbeing, professional formation, and mission-aligned initiatives.