Dean of Students

Department
 

DIV Divinity: Staff

About the Department
 

The University of Chicago Divinity School is a space and a community dedicated to some of the most important, most exhilarating, and most humbling questions of humanity. The School is animated by two impulses seldom found together: by the critical study of religious traditions, objects, and ideas, and by the implications of those traditions and ideas for how faith might be practiced, life might be lived, and community might be realized. The conjunction of these approaches in a Divinity School situated at the very center of one of the world’s great research universities has produced many scholars, teachers, leaders, and ideas that have had a profound effect upon the possibilities for thinking about religion, and thereby a profound effect upon the world. Read more at https://divinity.uchicago.edu/.

Job Summary
 

Reporting to the Dean of the Divinity School, the Dean of Students provides strategic and administrative leadership for the Dean of Students Office.

Responsibilities

• Ensures that the Office of the Dean of Students and the policies developed by the Divinity School adhere to all relevant Federal, State, and University policies.

• Partners with other area Deans of Students and the Vice-Provost to design, maintain, and implement consistent polices and procedures for admissions, financial aid, student leaves, pedagogical training, milestone tracking, and other matters consistent with the functions of Dean of Students Offices across the University.

• Works closely with the Dean of the Divinity School and the Senior Associate Dean for Finance and Administration on strategic planning for the Dean of Students Office.

• Oversees and directs the Office of the Dean of Students, including supervising the Assistant Dean of Students, Student Affairs Manager, BONDS Peer Mentors, and student assistants. 

• Responsible for the workflow within the Dean of Students Office.

• Manages the planning and implementation of a range of student services including but not limited to student records maintenance, course registration, disbursement of financial aid, monitoring of degree requirements, orientation, and convocation. 

• Develops strategies for the implementation of financial aid.

• Oversees tasks which reside in the portfolio of the Assistant Dean of Students and the Student Affairs Manager.

• Develops strategies for future hires to the Dean of Students team.

• Responsible for hiring staff in the Dean of Students Office.

• Responsible for the growth and development for all reports to the Dean of Students Office.

• Manages annual student aid budget in collaboration with the Senior Associate Dean for Finance and Administration.

• Oversees the budget for the Dean of Students Office.

• Oversees the awarding of professional development funds, Divinity School fellowships, and teaching prizes.

• Solves complex problems in areas such as academic and administrative policy, student.

• Oversees the BONDS Peer Mentorship Program.

• Expert in campus resources for one-on-one mentorship or support. Actively engages national networks, consortia, working groups, and other collaborative entities to support the successful recruitment, matriculation, graduation, placement into diverse careers, and overall positive experience of graduate students and postdocs from historically underrepresented groups.

• Stays informed on current best practices and challenges; informs and advances Divinity School diversity initiatives in the context of a competitive environment.

• Directs student academic progress and support services for Divinity School students.

• Supports faculty with managing academic progress and personal concerns of graduate students.

• Responds to student inquiries including academic, registration, financial, and personal concerns.

• Oversees registration and verification of degree requirements.

• Manages student requests for leave.

• Manages compliance with and approves exceptions to the policy on student employment.

• Ensures accurate and efficient record-keeping regarding student academic progress and milestone completion.

• Manages the annual review process for graduate students in the Divinity School.

• Serves on faculty committees including the Committee on Doctoral Petitions, admissions committees for all graduate programs in the Divinity School, the Academic Policy Committee, and other special committees as appointed by the Dean.

• Contributes to the work of the other staff of the Divinity School in the areas of academic affairs, communications, development, the undergraduate program, and the Marty Center.

• Liaises with UChicagoGRAD and faculty placement committee to coordinate and support professional development and career services for Divinity School students.

• Recommends, plans, and implements a range of programs that support the school’s intention to cultivate an environment that is inclusive, pluralistic and diverse. Provides support, interventions, and referrals to Divinity School students on issues concerning equity, inclusion, and diversity.

• Stays informed on current best practices and challenges; informs and advances Divinity School diversity initiatives in the context of a competitive environment.

• Provides crisis response for students.

• Connects students with appropriate resources to assist with financial crises, mental and physical health issues, and other matters of concern.

• Serves as a resource for faculty and staff in dealing with disruptive student behavior.

• Manages student conduct concerns including disciplinary processes.

• Develops and implements recruitment and admissions strategies for all degree programs.   

• In collaboration with faculty committees, guides the development and maintenance of recruitment and admission policies.

• Oversees recruitment activities, including digital communications, marketing, and travel.

• Supervises the processing of approximately 400 applications each year.

• Communicates official admission decisions.

• Oversees awarding of financial aid packages.

• Directs the analysis of admissions outcomes to inform future planning.

• Represents the Divinity School at the University level on task forces, standing committees, and advisory groups.

• Participates in the ongoing development and evaluation of university-wide student policies, services, and systems development.

• Works with UChicagoGrad, Campus and Student Life, Disability Services, Registrar, Bursar, Graduate Financial Aid, International Affairs, the University Registrar, and others to solve problems and support graduate students.

• Member of School advisory committees on Diversity and Inclusion for staff, students, faculty, and instructors. Liaison on campus with informal and formal groups (e.g. Provost’s Office, Title IX, CSL, UChicago Grad, Office of Legal Counsel).  Liaison with off campus national groups (e.g. AAR, Hispanic Theological Initiative). 

• Solves complex problems in areas such as academic and administrative policy, student admissions, curriculum research and development, and budget development. Advises various campus-wide and program committees in various aspects of student life.

• Leads and recommends process improvements for programs that relate to critical student-life improvement, including emergency management, accommodations for students with disabilities, and/or the administration of health care services and programs for students.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• PhD in a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of ten years experience working in students affairs.

• Previous experience working with graduate students.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, university administrators, and other stakeholders.

• Extensive experience with student records management.

• Highly effective in setting priorities and deadlines to ensure goals and objectives are met.

• Highly effective in all aspects of crisis management.

• Sensitive and diplomatic in written and verbal communications.

• Proven record of integrity, creativity, energy, and decisiveness.

• Knowledge of admissions and aid procedures.

• Knowledge of relevant federal and state higher education policies.  

• Experience is disciplinary affairs.

• Proven ability to develop and sustain successful collaborative relationships with a variety of institutional and external entities, and especially maneuvering effectively through organizational dynamics and influencing decision-making and action without authority.

• Clearly articulated vision of broad possibilities and agility in adapting programs, resources, and services in ways that are responsive to evolving landscape and constituent needs.

• Exceptional application of judgment and discretion.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.