Dean of Students

Department
 

University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy

About the Department
 

Why Policy? For a better world. Why Harris Public Policy? Because when it comes to better policymaking, evidence matters. We work at the frontiers of data collection and analysis, using the latest technology and social science methods to design policies that work for society. We conduct rigorous inquiry in an environment of innovation and risk taking. We collaborate across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, adopting new methodologies to drive better solutions. We engage with our city, our world, and our leaders every day to evaluate and test our ideas. And we lead with our passion for driving social change, knowing that passion alone does not equal impact.

Job Summary
 

Reporting to the Dean, the Dean of Students leads and directs a number of student services teams and operations, including academic advising, course scheduling and registration, academic support resources, financial aid, and the writing center. The Dean of Students provides leadership and direction to departments and managers, and is accountable for the performance and results of those departments.
The Dean of Students supervises the student support staff for all Harris degree programs, including the PhD, the Evening Master’s Program, and the MSCAPP program. This role is responsible for school with over 1,100 graduate policy students and oversees a staff of 19 full time employees, including several managers with their own teams and direct reports.
The Dean of Students serves on the Harris Administrative Leadership team. They are also the point person for student crises and are expected to handle complex emergency situations. The dean of students is responsible for services targeting the physical, emotional, academic, and financial well-being of students. The Dean of Students is responsible for setting strategic priorities for student services and for executing on those plans, as well as guiding the priorities and decisions of the teams they oversee.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and directs the Dean of Students Office.

• Supervises multiple teams and functions, including academic advising, registration, the writing center, financial aid, course scheduling and registration, and academic support resources.

• Manages a team of 19 full-time employees, including managing managers.

• Handles complex and delicate issues with professionalism and good decision making, including student grievances and petitions, disciplinary processes, student emergencies and mental health issues, and disability accommodations.

• Writes and reviews student policies, ensuring alignment with University policy and relevant laws.

• Responsible for degree verification and ensuring compliance with degree requirements.

• Serves on the Harris curriculum committee, along with faculty leadership and the registrar, to determine which courses will be offered, set the course schedule, decide academic policies, and conduct instructor training.

• Serve as an advisor to the Dean and other Harris leadership, advocating for the needs and interests of students.

• Analyzes student satisfaction and department performance and provide information about outcomes to relevant stakeholders, including the Dean.

• Serves as an advisor and collaborator with Harris Student Government leadership.

• Serves as a resource to Harris faculty and instructors on student issues, academic policy, and course delivery.

• Implements new and existing student programs to ensure Harris students are optimally prepared as students and as policy leaders, including Math Camp, tutoring resources, information sessions, and many others.

• Liaises with nearly all departments on campus, including Title IX, Student Disability Services, the bursar’s office, office of legal counsel, and others.

• Manages employees through subordinates, usually other managers. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for direct subordinates. Contributes to departmental strategy.

• Plans and provides guidance for a range of student services including but not limited to student records, registration, disbursement of financial aid, monitoring of degree requirements, and convocation. Sets student affairs policies and is responsible for discipline and crisis response for students. Serves at the University level on task forces, standing committees, and advisory groups to develop policies, services, and systems.

• 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 10+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree or higher.

Experience:

• Ten years of experience working in higher education or other academic environments.

• Experience working in an academic department.

• Experience working with graduate students and/or public policy students.

• Experience working with international students.

• Knowledge of Harris curriculum and Harris student needs.

Preferred Competencies

• Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer-service oriented approach to the job.

• Ability to quickly garner credibility with students, faculty, and staff.

• Ability to problem solve on complex issues, exercise good judgment, prioritize, and work under pressure.

• Ability to identify new needs and opportunities to better serve students and implement new initiatives in response.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (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
 

People Manager

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected 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.