Simpson College invites applications for an Assistant or Associate Dean for Student Success. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President and Academic Dean, the Assistant or Associate Dean for Student Success maintains a portfolio of five direct reports and coordinates all operations and activities in support of institutional retention objectives. We are especially interested in candidates who will contribute to a campus climate that supports equity and diversity. The Assistant or Associate Dean works as part of the leadership team in Academic Affairs, which includes the Registrar, the Associate Dean for Curriculum and Assessment, the Director of Continuing and Graduate Education, and the Director of the Teaching and Learning Center.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervises staff in Center for Academic Resources (Director of the Writing Center, Director of Academic Coaching and Tutoring, Director of Student Accessibility Services) and others as assigned.
• Manages the College’s advising and retention platform.
• Maintains up-to-date retention data and coordinates retention initiatives with the Students of Concern Committee.
• Advises directors on recruitment initiatives in collaboration with Enrollment Management and Marketing and Strategic Communication.
• Works closely with the Assistant Registrar on institutional data in Academic Affairs.
• Coordinates college-wide retention initiatives using data provided by Institutional Research, Registrar, and stakeholder involvement.
• Presents periodic updates on retention.
• Collaborates with Student Development personnel on student retention issues.
• Serves as ex-officio or appointed attendee to Students of Concern, Academic Appeals, and Committee on Academic Diversity and Inclusion.
• Investigates and mediates student-faculty concerns and conflicts, including issues of plagiarism and academic dishonesty; provides initial assessment to Academic Dean

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Minimum Masters Degree in an applicable field, Doctoral degree preferred.
• Strong organizational skills; ability to prioritize.
• 5-10 years prior experience in higher education with a proven track record of successfully managing multiple priorities.
• Strong personnel management skills and experience in managing a diverse team.
• Comfortable working on cross-functional priorities at a strategic and operational level.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide variety of constituencies, including members of the President’s leadership team and faculty, administrators, students, parents, legislators, and community leaders.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills for navigating and influencing within a complex environment with diverse and varied stakeholders.
• High attention to detail and analytical orientation.
• Independent and proactive.
• Ability to learn College software for analysis and reporting.
• Works accurately and calmly under pressure.
• Ability to define clear objectives and enforce accountability for meeting deadlines.
• Collaborative work style; ability to maintain relationships with executives, colleagues, external stakeholders, partners and community leaders.
• Facility with project-management tools and platforms, Basecamp preferred.
• High levels of confidentiality while working with sensitive student information.
• Flexibility, adaptability, keen sense of humor.

Reporting:

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a dynamic leadership team at Simpson College in a period of great excitement at the institution. Having successfully completed a recent $31M Capital Campaign (exceeding its target of $25M), the College is poised to grow enrollment, expand partnerships and collaborations, and build upon a history of excellence in the liberal arts. The successful candidate must exhibit an appreciation of, a sensitivity to, and a respect for a diverse environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of many social, economic, cultural, ideological, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.

Community
Simpson’s main campus is in Indianola, Iowa, a part of the Des Moines metropolitan area. The Des Moines area has a population of over 600,000, and economic growth has outpaced the U.S. as a whole. In addition, the cost of living is well below the national average.

Compensation

The Assistant/Associate Dean of Academic Affairs is a 12-month administrative appointment. If the Associate Dean is a tenured faculty member of Simpson College, the Associate Dean receives a six-course release and a stipend determined annually and retains faculty rank and right of return to teaching in the discipline or approved academic program.

Please send a cover letter, resume, name and contact information for three professional references, a statement addressing how your experiences and/or interests contribute to promoting diversity and inclusivity to Human Resources to employment@simpson.edu. Simpson offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package, including tuition waiver benefits for eligible employees and their immediate family members. Preference will be given to candidates who apply prior to July 6 and continue until the position is filled.