Dean of Students

Mount Mercy University is a Catholic, coeducational university founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1928 enrolling approximately 1,500 students. The university offers a variety of liberal arts, professional, accelerated and graduate degree programs.

Mount Mercy University is currently seeking candidates to fill the position of Dean of Students. This position reports to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. This is a full-time exempt (salary) position.

Reporting to the Provost and with a dotted line report to the President, the Dean is a member of the Provost’s senior team. The Dean is the senior leader responsible for student persistence efforts and outcomes. The Dean is responsible for the student experience beyond the classroom, in terms of engagement, services, and the living environment. This involves leadership in providing high quality student services and academic support programs for all Mount Mercy University students, including residential, commuter, adult, and international populations. Responsibilities include promoting best and emerging practices in student development, engagement, and support.

This position must:

  • Assure that Mount Mercy delivers a vibrant, caring, comprehensive, mission-based student environment and experience
  • Provide vision, leadership, supervision, and staff development opportunities for student affairs staff
  • Connect with individual students and student groups through regular, extensive, and ongoing student meetings, informal interactions, event attendance, and other direct engagement activities
  • Manage all student affairs budget planning and financial management
  • Provide oversight of code of conduct and serve as the chief student conduct officer
  • Collaborate and communicate with other student service providers, both campus-based and vendors
  • Develop and maintain current knowledge of legal issues and federal mandates relating to students
  • Plan and assess student affairs programs for contributions to student learning
  • Serve as the university liaison to the Student Government Association and other key student representative groups
  • Collaborate with the faculty, Mission and Ministry, and other areas on co-curricular programming and other student learning opportunities
  • Lead efforts within and outside the division on student retention and success initiatives


Key Qualifications

Experience and ability to make thoughtful decisions on important student issues. This includes an awareness of university values, student needs, and national best practices.

Ability to communicate professionally and effectively, in formal and informal ways, with students, colleagues, and external stakeholders such as parents, alumni, community leaders, employers, etc. 

Applicant must have a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in a related field, or master’s degree with significant relevant experience. Terminal degree is desirable, but is not required. 

In addition, applicant must have student affairs experience in a higher education environment, or equivalent experience in student-facing roles in higher education.

The successful candidate must also demonstrate a willingness to support Mount Mercy’s mission as a Catholic university providing student-focused education in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. Mount Mercy University welcomes those of different faiths and is committed to excellence in education and community service.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.  Application materials should be emailed as a Microsoft Word or Adobe.pdf attachment to: hr@mtmercy.edu with the subject line “Dean of Students.” Paper application materials will not be accepted. Position will be open until filled. Application review will begin immediately.

 

Mount Mercy University is an equal opportunity employer and smoke-free campus.