Assistant Dean, Student Experience

Job Description:

DIVISION: Academic

UNUSUAL WORK CONDITIONS:  May be required to attend off-hour meetings and events, and travel to the Austin campus, as necessary.

EMPLOYEE TYPE: Exempt, Supervisor

BASIC FUNCTION:  The Assistant Dean for Student Experience works closely with academic departments to coordinate and align student experience with program requirements, including the development of streamlined processes for addressing student progression concerns and facilitating access to appropriate University resources. This role is responsible for progression monitoring and student success initiatives across undergraduate and graduate programs in the Egan School, and oversees advising systems, early alert and risk identification processes, and individualized student support strategies to promote student retention, progression, and completion. Works closely with Department Chairs, Program Directors, faculty, and university student support offices to ensure consistent advising practices, proactive student engagement, and coordinated interventions for students experiencing academic or personal challenges.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  

I. Academic Advising and Student Support

• Collaborate closely with Department Chairs, Program Directors, and faculty to ensure advising practices and student support processes align with program expectations and academic policies.

• Oversee advising systems across undergraduate and graduate programs to ensure consistency and quality.

• Support dedicated advising staff and faculty advisors through training, coaching, and quality improvement initiatives.

• Coordinate development of individualized program of study plans for students as needed.

• Monitor advising practices to ensure alignment with School policies and accreditation expectations.

II. Student Success and Early Intervention

• Develop and maintain coordinated processes with academic departments to address progressions challenges, including early intervention strategies and referral pathways to appropriate University resources.

• Lead implementation of early alert systems to identify and support students experiencing academic risk.

• Monitor retention, progression, and completion trends and collaborate with leadership to address emerging issues.

• Serve as a primary escalation point for complex student success cases.

• Support development of targeted interventions for students requiring additional academic or personal support.

III. Academic Progression and Policy Implementation

• Coordinate with academic departments and University support services to ensure timely and consistent responses to student needs requiring academic, administrative, or support service intervention.

• Support implementation of student progression policies and academic standards across programs.

• Collaborate with Department Chairs and Program Directors on issues related to academic standing, leaves of absence, and academic exceptions for Departments make notifications on academic standing actions.

• Ensure accurate communication of student policies through handbooks and program materials.

IV. Collaboration and Coordination

• Work closely with the Assistant Dean for Experiential Learning, Associate Dean for Student Success, Department Chairs, and Program Directors to support student success initiatives.

• Collaborate with university offices such as the Provost’s Office, Counseling Services, Health Services, and Student Life to support student well-being.

• Partner with Institutional Research to monitor student success metrics and reporting.

V. Leadership and Supervision

The Assistant Dean may supervise or coordinate the work of:

• Academic advisors

• Student success staff

• Administrative support personnel supporting advising functions

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain, and should not be interpreted as containing, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

Category:

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate. 
 

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Load a resume or CV first, then upload supporting documents including a cover letter at the bottom of the third page under the "My Experience" section where it says to upload a Resume/CV. You will be able to upload up to 5 other documents in this section. You will be unable to edit your application, so please have all documents available before applying.

Faculty Positions: If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email the additional documents to the applicable contact in the job description.

Staff positions: If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email them to hr@fairfield.edu