Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education, Academic Engagement

08-Jan-2024

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

64306BR

Job Summary

The mission of Harvard College is to educate the citizens and citizen-leaders for our society. We do this through our commitment to the transformative power of a liberal arts and sciences education. 

Beginning in the classroom with exposure to new ideas, new ways of understanding, and new ways of knowing, students embark on a journey of intellectual transformation. Through a diverse living environment, where students live with people who are studying different topics, who come from different walks of life and have evolving identities, intellectual transformation is deepened and conditions for social transformation are created. From this we hope that students will begin to fashion their lives by gaining a sense of what they want to do with their gifts and talents, assessing their values and interests, and learning how they can best serve the world. We are committed to creating and sustaining the conditions that enable all Harvard College students to experience an unparalleled educational journey that is intellectually, socially, and personally transformative. 

The Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) oversees curricular and co-curricular education in Harvard College. We collaborate closely with faculty, students, and staff to ensure that all Harvard undergraduates can take advantage of the educational opportunities that only Harvard can offer. The OUE oversees the Harvard College curriculum, comprising the courses and requirements that students fulfill outside of their concentrations, including General Education, Expository Writing, and First Year Seminars. The OUE also oversees the offices that provide Harvard students with academic advising, opportunities, and support. Finally, the OUE oversees general undergraduate educational policy and legislation, including working with the academic departments to manage Harvard’s 50 concentrations.  

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Position Description

Duties and Responsibilities 

Reporting to the Dean of Undergraduate Education, the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education, Academic Engagement is responsible for education outside the classroom.  More specifically, the Associate Dean of Academic Engagement provides strategic oversight to the OUE departments providing direct academic advising, academic opportunities, and support to College learners.  This oversight involves: 

• Working with the individual unit leaders and teams to establish appropriate goals. 

• Working across the units to encourage collaboration, coordination, and exemplary service and to ensure that students experience coherent and consistent philosophy and practice when they seek advice or assistance. 

• Advocating in support of unit missions, including identifying and enhancing partnerships and collaborations with divisional deans and department heads, and other relevant administrative units and organizations. 

• Working with academic departments to see that the opportunities available to Harvard students are available across all departments and divisions in FAS. 

Those units reporting to the Associate Dean include: 

• Advising Programs Office (APO) which, through support of a network of advisors, aims to cultivate quality academic advising for students from pre-matriculation through concentration declaration to help students realize their own academic potential. 
• Academic Resource Center (ARC) which empowers students to reach their full academic potential in an inclusive and equitable environment, optimizing student learning by delivering a range of consistent, evidenced-based academic support services that draw on research in the behavioral and learning sciences.  
• Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS) which empowers and supports students in identifying, exploring, and achieving their career and professional goals and aspirations wherever they may lead. 
• Office of International Education (OIE) which supports students through its dual role of facilitating enriching and engaging study abroad experiences and providing academic and social support services to enrolled undergraduate international students from pre-matriculation through graduation.  
• Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (URAF) which serves students as well as faculty and administrators across the university as the primary source of information about undergraduate research, prestigious scholarships, and postgraduate fellowships at Harvard and beyond.

This position will also: 

• Collaborate with the Dean and the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education; Academic Programs and Policy; the Dean for Finance and Administration; the Dean of Students; and the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid to develop and implement new ideas to respond to changing student needs and enhance the academic experience of students; 

• In close collaboration with the Dean of Students Office (DSO) and OUE offices, work to ensure inclusive and equitable co-curricular experiences for students of all backgrounds; 

• Forge strong connections with the residential Houses and all offices on campus that support students’ intellectual and personal development; 

• Serve on the senior leadership team in the Office of Undergraduate Education which advises on department-wide issues and ensures mission alignment and collaborative practices;  

• Serve on committees related to undergraduate education, lead special projects such as program reviews and new initiatives as directed by the Dean, and represent the Office of Undergraduate Education in external meetings as needed; 

• Oversee a total budget of $18M and steward financial resources in support of program development and expansion; stewards conversations about academic engagement initiatives with potential donors and Development. 

Basic Qualifications

Ph.D. or EdD and ten years’ experience in higher education administration. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Extensive familiarity with the theory and practice of liberal arts education, and the ability to synthesize that theory and knowledge into policy recommendations. Experience managing both individuals and teams.  Demonstrated competence in financial management and stewardship of gifts and endowments.  Proven ability to work with faculty, students, and staff from diverse backgrounds. Strong diplomatic and communication skills. Engagement in scholarship in own discipline a plus. 

Work Format Details

This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Faculty & Student Services

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

FS0361 Student Services Director

Department

Office of Undergraduate Education

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Not Applicable

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.