Dean of Students

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Search Prospectus

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THE OPPORTUNITY

The dean of students reports to Provost Denise Pearson and serves as a key member of the university’s academic leadership team. This position provides strategic, operational and tactical oversight for a holistic and well-integrated approach across multiple student-focused units including student activities, intramurals, athletics, housing, student auxiliaries, accessibility services, and student health and wellness services.

The dean of students is responsible for implementing the university’s vision for staff who work directly with students and for providing strategic leadership for all student life functions. The role includes overseeing departmental budgets and daily operations while recruiting, hiring, training and developing a diverse professional staff. This senior leader directly supervises directors of multiple functional areas and provides support and guidance regarding performance management, succession planning, teamwork and operational matters that support the university’s strategic direction.

The successful candidate will collaborate with internal departments and lead their own initiatives in the design, implementation, coordination, assessment and improvement of programs that enhance student life and overall student success. They will play a lead role in organizing convocation and commencement ceremonies, serve as a resource to staff and faculty and proactively engage stakeholders about policies, processes, student needs and compliance matters. The dean will establish committees and work groups to research, create, implement and evaluate new initiatives aimed at improving overall student academic success and experience.

This position requires thoughtful and informed leadership on contemporary higher education issues, balancing student advocacy with community expectations and developing strategies for promoting health and well-being through engagement and education.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Provide strategic support to the provost, senior leadership team and other departments in areas of student activities, engagement, housing, athletics and student academic, social, personal, and professional success
  • Oversee multiple functional areas including student activities, housing, athletics, student health and wellness, counseling and psychological services, and accessibility and special accommodations
  • Guide and direct leadership practices to foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing environment that is compliant with regulatory policies and best practices
  • Recruit, train, supervise, evaluate, manage, coach and lead directors of departmental units using sound management practices; employ these human resource practices for administrative support and student staff
  • Develop and manage information collection practices across the department, producing annual and ad hoc reports that analyze data, identify trends and comply with program review processes required by accrediting bodies
  • Create and manage policies, procedures and regulations focused on student services and resources; implement and disseminate these through various formats including print, electronic and social media
  • Develop and manage the overall department budget; may solicit, write and manage grants for student life programming to supplement budget needs
  • Provide advocacy, project management, and transparency about Student Life to ensure alignment with university strategy
  • Work on university-wide initiatives, including committee participation, contributing to Student Life publications, taking a leadership role in planning collaborative programs, and participating in the Provost Council
  • Partner with all departments to develop shared strategies and consistency in supporting students
  • Collaborate with Information Technology to increase the use and efficiency of technology in fostering student success
  • Collaborate with Institutional Research to manage student experience surveys and use data analytics to identify student needs
  • Collaborate with Library Services and the Center for Instructional Design to create faculty sessions and participate in new faculty orientation
  • Collaborate with Residence Life and Housing to develop and support programs for students living on and off-campus
  • Oversee department participation in cross-functional projects to ensure achievement of goals
  • Serve as Student Life liaison to internal and external stakeholders and leadership; assess needs and create targeted programming to educate all stakeholders
  • Attend and present at professional conferences and maintain professional memberships to collect best practices and customize programs that promote student success and retention
  • Comply with and promote the effectiveness of relevant laws and policies (Student Right to Know, FERPA, HIPAA, ADA, Title IX, Student Conduct Code); maintain current knowledge of regulatory changes
  • Collaborate with Institutional Effectiveness to administer student behavior policies and assist with policy revision, issues resolution and communication of results
  • Serve as the Student Life point-of-contact for the school’s risk and crisis management plan
  • Co-chair workgroups coordinating activities for convocation and commencement ceremonies
  • Perform other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS

Educational Requirements

  • Master’s degree in higher education administration, student affairs, business or related field required
  • Doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in a relevant field preferred

Professional Experience

  • Minimum of seven years of progressive experience in student services/affairs or directly related field
  • Minimum of five years of experience managing and developing a high-performing team
  • Demonstrated knowledge and skill in student affairs administration
  • Strong experience in student affairs programming assessment
  • Experience with budget development and management
  • Experience managing staff in a collective bargaining environment Student Development Expertise
  • Knowledge of current higher education retention best practices
  • Experience with student development theory and application
  • Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, supervise and evaluate a broad range of student services
  • Experience with student conduct and judicial affairs

Compliance and Risk Management

  • Knowledge of laws and regulations concerning student affairs and disability service areas
  • Experience with Title IX, FERPA, ADA and other relevant compliance areas
  • Knowledge of effective crisis management and emergency response protocols
  • Experience developing and implementing risk management strategies

Collaborative Leadership

  • Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders
  • Experience working effectively with diverse student populations
  • Track record of leading cross-functional teams to achieve strategic objectives
  • Ability to represent the university within professional groups and constituencies

Communication and Problem-Solving

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills with ability to understand, motivate, develop and persuade others
  • Ability to be an effective public speaker and presenter
  • Ability to think analytically and solve problems
  • Ability to resolve disputes and complaints through mediation

Technical and Administrative Skills

  • Knowledge of current enrollment management technology tools
  • Ability to research, collate and use relevant data
  • Grant writing and management abilities
  • Ability to put responsive systems in place

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

Strategic Leadership

  • Knowledge of university living-learning environment best practices
  • Team player with knowledge of conflict resolution, consensus building and integrated work groups
  • Ability to think beyond the obvious to develop meaningful solutions in a timely manner
  • Ability to guide, coach and professionally develop staff in collective bargaining environments

Relationship Building

  • Ability to develop collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to understand and cause understanding
  • Ability to motivate, develop and persuade others
  • Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences

Academic-Centered Focus

  • Understanding of student development theory and application
  • Experience designing and implementing programs that foster student engagement and success
  • Knowledge of inclusive practices that support diverse student populations
  • Ability to advocate for student needs while balancing institutional priorities

Administrative Management

  • Strong organizational and planning skills
  • Ability to manage multiple competing priorities
  • Experience with budget development, implementation and oversight
  • Knowledge of effective assessment and evaluation methods

Crisis Management and Compliance

  • Experience with crisis intervention and management
  • Knowledge of relevant federal and state regulations affecting higher education
  • Understanding of risk management principles and practices
  • Ability to develop and implement effective policies and procedures

Technical Skills

  • Proficiency with student information systems and databases
  • Knowledge of current technology tools that support student success
  • Sound technical skills including the ability to work with databases and conduct internet research
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite products

Communication

  • Excellent written communication skills for drafting reports, policies and procedures
  • Strong verbal communication skills including public speaking
  • Ability to translate complex information for various audiences
  • Experience developing and delivering training and professional development programs

ABOUT PRESIDENT AND PROVOST

PRESIDENT AARON A. WALTON

President Aaron A. Walton, a proven, results-driven leader with 40 years of experience in corporate level management, was appointed as Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s interim president on May 31, 2017. Because of the unprecedented progress he spearheaded during his first five months, President Walton was elected as permanent president by the Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) on November 13, 2017.

President Walton is a fearless champion for Cheyney University and its students. He brings expertise in strategic planning and organizational turnarounds and has addressed the university’s challenges head-on while leading the effort to define a new trajectory for the university. In his inaugural address to Cheyney’s faculty and staff in June 2017, President Walton outlined a clear vision for the university — to produce students who excel in academics, character and social responsibility. Through the university’s strategic planning process, these three pillars ultimately became the foundation of Cheyney’s new vision: to be known as the premier educational model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility.

A former Senior Vice President of Highmark, Inc., one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers, President Walton was one of nine principal officers responsible for providing overall management and direction of all corporate activities nationally. During his tenure at Highmark, he established and implemented a number of strategic healthcare initiatives that yielded community and company-wide growth and advancement, including an award-winning program that was one of the first programs in America to address childhood obesity and bullying. He was also instrumental in establishing the Children’s Health Insurance Program, better known as C.H.I.P, which has become a national model.

While a senior executive at Highmark, and in his subsequent retirement, he served as vice chair of the PASSHE Board of Governors, where he was also chair of academic and student affairs and chair of human resources. President Walton was also a longtime member of California University of Pennsylvania’s Council of Trustees and chair from 1999 to 2003.

Prior to being tapped to lead Cheyney University, President Walton served as co-chair of the Cheyney task force appointed by the Board of Governors. The task force developed and approved, a conceptual framework for a new business model for Cheyney which included the creation of the Institute for the Contemporary African American Experience (ICAAE). On July 31, 2018, Governor Tom Wolf joined President Walton and other officials on Cheyney’s campus to announce the official launch of the ICAAE.

President Walton has held both leadership and advisory roles on more than 35 community boards. Some of his affiliations include the August Wilson Center for African American Culture (chair); Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Polemarch Pittsburgh Alumni Chapter; the Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund (founding board member); NEED (Negro Emergency Educational Drive), where he served as chair; The 100 Black Men of Western Pennsylvania; and Sire Archon, Rho Boule, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.

President Walton earned a Bachelor of Science degree in speech pathology and audiology from California University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Public Management (MPM) from the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. He and his wife, Dr. Gloria M. Walton, have two adult children and two grandchildren.

PROVOST DENISE PEARSON, PH.D.

Dr. Pearson has over 30 years of experience in higher education and leadership. She comes to us from the Office of the chancellor where she served as the inaugural vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) since 2020. Dr. Pearson was instrumental in transforming the function, where she secured a $9 million allocation from the Pennsylvania General Assembly; executed the first-ever systemwide climate survey for students, faculty and staff; oversaw the annual systemwide DEI summits: initiated systemwide DEI training for students, faculty and staff; and launched an online dashboard that publishes critical DEI metrics at the system and university levels. She also has a plethora of experience in her roles as vice president of academic affairs at State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO), interim provost and assistant provost at Winston-Salem State University and associate academic dean at the University of Denver.

Dr. Pearson holds a Ph.D. in administration & supervision of education with an emphasis on higher education from Marquette University; an M.S. in education administration with an emphasis on higher education leadership from Concordia University; an M.A. in conflict resolution from the University of Denver and a B.A. in human services from Pace University, New York.

ABOUT CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the nation’s first historically Black institution of higher education. Founded in 1837 as the Institute for Colored Youth, Cheyney University has evolved into a comprehensive university offering bachelor’s and master’s degree programs across a range of disciplines. As America’s oldest HBCU, Cheyney has a proud legacy of developing leaders in various fields and continues to be a beacon of educational opportunity.

The university is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1951. Cheyney offers a variety of undergraduate programs in sciences, education, humanities and social sciences, as well as graduate programs in education.

Cheyney University sits on a picturesque 275-acre campus that combines historic architecture with modern facilities. Notable campus landmarks include the historic Melrose Cottage, Carnegie Hall and the Science Center. The university’s natural setting in Chester County provides an ideal environment for learning and personal growth.

With a commitment to academic excellence, social responsibility and personal development, Cheyney University continues to fulfill its mission of preparing students from diverse backgrounds to be visionary leaders in their chosen fields. The university emphasizes the value of a holistic education that combines rigorous academics with opportunities for leadership, service and cultural enrichment.

Recent initiatives at Cheyney include expanded partnerships with industry leaders, enhanced STEM programs and innovative approaches to student success. The university continues to honor its legacy while adapting to meet the needs of today’s students and the demands of a rapidly changing world.

ABOUT CHEYNEY, PENNSYLVANIA

Cheyney University is located in Cheyney, Pennsylvania, a small community within Delaware and Chester Counties, approximately 25 miles west of Philadelphia. This prime location offers students and staff the perfect balance of a peaceful, collegiate environment with easy access to the cultural, professional and recreational opportunities of a major metropolitan area.

The Philadelphia metropolitan area is home to more than 6 million residents and features world-class museums, theaters, sports venues, restaurants and historical sites. As the nation’s first capital, Philadelphia boasts iconic landmarks such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The city’s vibrant arts scene, diverse neighborhoods and rich history create endless opportunities for exploration and engagement.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the region offers beautiful parks, hiking trails and waterways. The nearby Brandywine Valley features stunning gardens, historic estates and picturesque countryside. Valley Forge National Historical Park and the Schuylkill River Trail provide additional recreational options within a short drive of campus.

The area is also home to numerous colleges and universities, creating a rich academic environment and opportunities for collaboration. The greater Philadelphia region is a major center for healthcare, education, finance and technology, providing excellent internship and career opportunities for students and professional connections for university staff.

Transportation options abound, with Philadelphia International Airport, Amtrak’s 30th Street Station and an extensive public transportation system making regional and national travel convenient. New York City and Washington, D.C., are each approximately two hours away by train.

The cost of living in the Cheyney area is moderate compared to many metropolitan regions, with housing options ranging from historic homes to modern apartments in nearby communities such as West Chester, Media and Philadelphia’s western suburbs.

With its combination of small-town charm and big-city accessibility, Cheyney offers an ideal location for work and life balance while providing rich cultural and professional opportunities.

ABOUT TM² EXECUTIVE SEARCH

TM² Executive Search specializes in providing exemplary executive talent acquisition consultation for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), predominantly Black institutions (PBIs) and other organizations looking to attract highly qualified, motivated, accomplished diverse candidates at all levels of the administration. TM² Executive Search is committed to supporting the Black college community and developing the future of HBCU leadership. We use our combined experiences in higher education and executive search to partner with institutions to build highly effective and functioning leadership through increasing the quality of talent acquisition and developing strategic leaders. TM² Executive Search serves as the official educational talent search subsidiary of Thurgood Marshall College Fund. For more information about TM² Executive Search, visit tm2search.com.

Our team understands the unique needs and cultures of HBCUs and brings decades of experience in higher education leadership and executive recruitment. We employ a comprehensive approach that goes beyond traditional search methods, incorporating deep institutional analysis, strategic alignment and thorough candidate assessment to ensure the right match for each position and institution.

TM² Executive Search is dedicated to:

  • Identifying and recruiting exceptional leaders who understand and value the mission of HBCUs
  • Building diverse candidate pools that reflect the communities served by our client institutions
  • Providing comprehensive search services from position development through successful onboarding
  • Supporting institutional transformation through strategic leadership development
  • Maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity and professionalism

Our commitment to excellence has made TM² Executive Search the trusted partner for HBCUs seeking visionary leaders who can advance their missions while honoring their legacies.

How to apply

To assure full consideration, application materials should be received by July 15, 2025.

The application must include the following:

Cover Letter: A letter expressing your interest in the dean of faculty position at Cheyney University.

Comprehensive CV/Resume: A complete and up-to-date record of the candidate’s professional background, accomplishments and relevant experience.

Professional References: Full contact information for three professional references. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit the following application materials through the APPLY NOW button below.

Please direct nominations and inquiries to:

Dr. Amanda Washington Lockett, TM2 Executive Search ([email protected])

Dr. Will Anyu, TM2 Executive Search ([email protected])