Assistant Dean of Student Support

Department
 

College Dean of Students in the College

About the Department
 

One of the world’s leading institutions of liberal arts education, the University of Chicago College offers 53 major and 59 minor programs to its more than 7,000 undergraduate students. The College’s globally recognized Core curriculum, rigorous programs of study, vast opportunities for student research, comprehensive Career Advancement programming, and its steadfast commitments to equity, access and freedom of expression empower students to engage with the most compelling academic, civic and cultural challenges.

Job Summary
 

The University of Chicago is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Assistant Dean of Student Support to join our team in the Office of the Dean of Students in the College. This role reports to the Deputy Dean of Students in the College. This crucial role is responsible for providing comprehensive support to students facing academic challenges and personal difficulties. The Assistant Dean of Student Support will play a pivotal role in enhancing the overall student experience by advocating on behalf of students, facilitating access to resources, and promoting successful academic outcomes. The ideal candidate for this role will have training, knowledge and/or expertise supporting people who are experiencing major life issues/crises including, but not limited to, mental health challenges/impacts, trauma, and physical limitations.

Responsibilities

• Acts as a trusted advocate and go-to person for students facing academic and/or life challenges, working closely with faculty and other University stakeholders to ensure the best possible outcomes for students.
• Conducts intake sessions with students to assess their needs and challenges comprehensively. Develops a deep understanding of each student's unique situation.
• Collaborates with students to create individualized action plans, identifying goals and outlining steps to address academic, personal, and resource-related issues.
• Guides students in accessing academic support services, counseling, health resources, and other relevant campus resources, ensuring they receive appropriate assistance.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with faculty, staff, and campus resources to establish credibility and trust, facilitating effective advocacy on behalf of students.
• Maintains accurate and detailed case records, ensuring timely follow-up and tracking of student progress.  Implements a structured follow-up process for students in crisis, ensuring ongoing support and monitoring of their progress.  Keeps abreast of University policies and procedures related to student support.
• Serves as a mediator between students and faculty when necessary, advocating for reasonable accommodations and academic extensions on behalf of students.
• Empowers students to take ownership of their academic journey by providing guidance, resources, and tools to enhance their self-advocacy skills.
• Provides specialized support for students facing complex challenges such as mental health crises, trauma, and physical limitations, demonstrating a deep understanding of the intersectionality of these issues.
• Utilizes a trauma-informed approach in case management, ensuring sensitivity and awareness of the impact of trauma on students' academic and personal lives.
• Possesses expertise in crisis intervention techniques and strategies to effectively assist students in navigating and overcoming immediate challenges.
• Advocates for students' mental health needs by collaborating with counseling services, mental health professionals, and relevant campus resources to ensure a holistic approach to student well-being.
• Stays current on best practices in student support services, mental health, and accessibility through continued education and training, and applies this knowledge to enhance the quality of assistance provided to students.
• Uses broad knowledge and experience to develop and coordinate programs related to emotional, social, and financial care. Programs may involve family-centered services, treatment and education of youth, employment and financial support, or health insurance and provider services.
• Assesses the needs of individuals, performs adaptive tests and psychological screening, provides family counseling, and participates as a member of a developmental team. Identifies community and University resources and makes appropriate referrals. Documents developmental care in records.
• 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• An advanced degree in social work, counseling, education, or a related field.
• Trained in Mental Health First Aid or equivalent skills mastered through mental health education/suicide prevention education. 

Experience:

• Five years experience in social work, case management, student support services, counseling, or a related field.
• Knowledge of university policies and procedures related to student support.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and case management software.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to empathize with students facing difficulties in any aspect of their lives and provide support with sensitivity and compassion.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; effectively communicate and negotiate with faculty, staff, and students.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple cases, deadlines, and complex issues simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify solutions to complex and sensitive student issues.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to build trust and maintain positive relationships with diverse groups of students and university stakeholders.
• Proactively identify and connect students with appropriate resources and support services.
• A strong commitment to maintaining strict confidentiality and handling sensitive information with discretion.

Working Conditions

• Sitting at a computer for 4-8 hours.
• Periodic movement to other campus locations.
• Requires ability to work independently for up to 8 hours/day.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• References Contact Information (3)(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
 

Healthcare & Medical 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.