The Assistant Vice President and Dean of Student Life plays a critical role in fostering a vibrant and inclusive student community at Sarah Lawrence College. This senior leadership position within Student Affairs provides strategic direction, oversight, and support for a range of offices that directly impact the student experience outside the classroom, including Residential Life, Student Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, International Student Support and Belonging, Spiritual Life, and Student Involvement and Leadership. The ideal candidate will be a passionate advocate for student success and well-being, with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Essential Duties Summary
Essential Functions
General
Lead the planning and implementation of Student Life strategic planning initiatives with a focus on collaboration across involved offices and synthesization of workflows.
Manage all aspects of students’ return to campus in the fall, including early, on time, and late arrivals and check-in; pre-Orientation and Orientation; and Welcome Week.
Identify and implement new initiatives to enhance the Sarah Lawrence student experience and foster student belonging, using assessment and data-informed strategies.
Partner with faculty and staff across the College to develop and implement co-curricular initiatives that promote student engagement, leadership development, and foster a sense of belonging.
Cultivate strong relationships with student leaders and organizations, serving as a resource and advocate.
Attend campus events and activities on a regular basis and maintain a visible presence in student life.
Develop and manage budgets for all departments under purview.
Supervise and mentor a team of directors and staff, providing professional development opportunities.
Represent the Division of Student Affairs on various College committees and task forces.
Serve on the student crisis response team. Help develop crisis response protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of students during emergencies.
Manage and lead all related student handbook and policy updates annually.
Residential Life: Directly supervise three Assistant Directors, who oversee all aspects of Residential Life, including housing operations, community standards (student conduct), and residential education.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB): Provide leadership and vision for the Office of DEIB, ensuring a welcoming and inclusive campus environment for all students. Collaborate with various departments to integrate DEIB principles into all aspects of student life. Assist in opening The HUB, a newly designed and reimagined building dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging and community among our diverse student population.
International Student Support and Belonging: Oversee the office that provides support and resources for international students, ensuring their successful integration and success at the College. Help oversee the related regulatory and data-intensive immigration processes, as well as the design of supportive structures and educational programming.
Spiritual Life: Supervise newly established Director of Spiritual Life position that supports the spiritual and religious needs of students from diverse backgrounds. Help develop and implement a vision for spiritual life at Sarah Lawrence that serves religious and non-religious students in seeking guidance on spiritual and ethical questions.
Student Involvement and Leadership: Oversee the support of 50+ student organizations, the Sarah Lawrence Activities Council (SLAC), and Student Senate. Partner with the Director and Assistant Director of Student Life to integrate residential education and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into various student programming.
Additional Responsibilities
Serve as a key member of the Student Affairs leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and policy development.
Foster collaborative relationships with academic and administrative departments to support student success.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practices in student affairs and higher education.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students and act as a deputy in their absence.
Required Qualifications
Skills and Abilities
Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire staff.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.
Ability to work effectively with a diverse student population.
Proven experience in managing and developing student life programs.
Experience in fostering a safe and inclusive residential community.
Ability to develop and manage budgets effectively.
Experience in program assessment and data-driven decision making.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of current trends and issues in higher education, particularly related to student affairs.
Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students.
Education and Experience
Master’s degree in higher education administration, student affairs, counseling, or a related field.
Minimum of 7 years of direct experience in student affairs or a related area, with progressive responsibility.
Preference for experience at a residential liberal arts college.
Prior supervisory experience required.
Demonstrated experience in residence life, DEIB initiatives, student conduct, and student involvement/activities.
Demonstrated commitment to student success and well-being.
