Job description

Connie Frank CARE Center

Office of the Dean of Students

Job Summary
The Associate Dean of Students and Director, Connie Frank CARE Center in the Office of the Dean of Students within the Division of Student Affairs reports directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Advocacy and Dean of Students. The Associate Dean is responsible for the overall management of the Connie Frank CARE Center, currently with 10 full-time staff, including staff responsible for Off-Campus Community Living and Basic Needs Coordination.

The Connie Frank CARE (Coordination, Assistance, Response, and Education) Center helps students understand university policies and procedures, connects them to campus resources, supports students in crisis, facilitates medical withdrawal and re-entry, provides after-hours emergency dean coverage, and collaborates with faculty and staff in supporting students’ holistic wellbeing and success. The Associate Dean directs daily operations, supports the university’s threat assessment efforts, coordinates student crisis services, and addresses the needs of students experiencing challenges related to psychological and physical health, victimization, relationships, financial concerns, and social adjustment through appropriate interventions, referrals, and follow-up services. The Associate Dean also participates in a variety of university committees and events and, where appropriate, represents the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Advocacy and Dean of Students at meetings on and off campus.

The Associate Dean oversees donor-supported initiatives through required reporting, donor engagement, and leadership for the Center’s new physical space, ensuring continued alignment with program priorities that support student success.

The Associate Dean provides strategic vision for the Center and advances its strong reputation by serving as a highly visible, empathic, and compassionate campus leader committed to student wellbeing and success. The Associate Dean is expected to be a trusted and collaborative partner who works across functional areas to strengthen relationships, coordinate support, and help students navigate and overcome personal, academic, and life challenges.
Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operations of the Connie Frank CARE Center, including staff supervision, professional development, performance evaluation, budget management, policy and procedure development, and oversight of publications and communications.
• Lead and advocate in complex student cases, coordinating campus and community resources to support student wellbeing, retention, and success.
• Lead the Emergency Dean Program, including training and functional supervision of on-call staff who assist in crisis intervention involving university students (e.g., accidents, injuries, assaults, hospitalization); provide consultation and in-person response as needed for complex or high-risk student situations.
• Prepare and maintain routine and special reports that inform planning, assess program impact, and document Connie Frank CARE Center activities.
• Serve on the university’s Threat Assessment Team and act as primary liaison to the Director of Threat Assessment for student-related cases.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and periodic review of student-related policies, procedures, and guidance documents applicable to the work of the Connie Frank CARE Center, including Student Code policies §1-501: Class attendance, §2-102: Mandated Assessment, §2-105: Policy and procedures for Medical Withdrawal, §2-106: Policy and Procedures for Retroactive Medical Withdrawal, and Campus Administrative Manual policy ASA-03: Awarding Posthumous Citations.
• Lead donor stewardship and resource development efforts for the Connie Frank CARE Center, including donor engagement, management of existing grants, required reporting to donors and grant funders, and identification of additional funding opportunities.
• Provide leadership for the transition into, opening, and ongoing operation of the Connie Frank CARE Center’s new physical space, ensuring alignment with programmatic goals and student needs.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with academic partners, Student Affairs colleagues, community agencies, and municipal stakeholders to strengthen coordinated student support.
• Promote the security and safety of students and exercise appropriate procedures for crisis and risk management.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including representing the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Advocacy and Dean of Students on university and Student Affairs committees and in internal and external meetings, as directed.

Travel Requirements
Occasional travel on behalf of the university may be required.
Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in college student personnel, higher education administration, counseling, or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in Student Affairs, student/client-support services, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff and managing unit operations.
• Experience leading or coordinating complex student/client cases and crisis response.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Three or more years of experience at the Director level or above.
• Experience with donor-supported programs, grant management, and external reporting.
• Demonstrated success building collaborative campus partnerships.
• Experience using assessment data to inform program improvement.
• Experience leading organizational or operational transitions.
• Experience serving on a threat assessment team.
• Use of the Maxient database.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to use excellent communication skills with tact and diplomacy when working with a range of constituencies, including students, faculty, administrators, parents, law enforcement, and community partners.
• Excellent leadership and managerial skills, including the capacity to recruit, train, motivate, supervise, evaluate, and retain high-performing professional staff.
• Capacity to work effectively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and identities, foster a welcoming and inclusive campus culture, and cultivate trust, credibility, and positive working relationships with students, staff, faculty, and campus partners.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment under pressure, remain calm, and respond effectively in emergency and high-risk situations.
• Strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of crisis intervention and complex case management techniques.
• Ability to engage with students, families, and loved ones experiencing profound loss, trauma, or crisis with empathy, sensitivity, cultural awareness, and professionalism.
• Knowledge of trends in higher education, including relevant regulations, case law, and best practices affecting student support and advocacy.
• Unimpeachable ethical standards and respect for the confidentiality of sensitive and protected information.
• Ability to lead new program development, manage organizational change, and build consensus among colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Capacity to function effectively as part of a senior management team, including the ability to think strategically, engage in constructive dialogue, and support institutional decisions.
• Ability to analyze policies, procedures, and operational practices and formulate recommendations to improve service quality, effectiveness, and efficiency.
• Skilled in visibility, influence, and engagement within a campus community.
• Ability to manage operational and programmatic transitions and ensure continuity of services in new or evolving physical environments.
• Working knowledge of assessment and evaluation methods, including the ability to collect, interpret, and apply data to improve programs and services.
• Ability to steward donor and grant-supported initiatives, including preparation of required reports and effective communication with external partners.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and timely reports documenting program activities, outcomes, and alignment with external expectations.
• Knowledge of budget planning, fiscal oversight, and responsible resource management.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 7/1/2026. The budgeted salary range for the position is $100,000.00 to $107,000.00.

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [email protected].

Requisition ID: 1034914

Job Category: Education & Student Services

How to apply

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Keri Collins at [email protected]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions – every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence – where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The administration, faculty and staff embrace diversity and are committed to attracting qualified candidates who also embrace and value diversity and inclusivity.