Assistant Dean of Students

Title: Assistant Dean of Students

Department/Location: Student Life, Elsah IL

Position Type: Full-time, 12 month position

Summary

The Assistant Dean of Students supports the Dean in advancing the mission of Student Life by leading assessment, program review, and continuous improvement processes, developing innovative programs that advance student success, character education, and well-being. This position provides oversight for Student Life communications and well-being services, including the College Counseling Office and the Foundations of Character & Community Seminar. The Assistant Dean contributes to strategic planning, and integrates best practices from the field of Student Affairs. As deputy to the Dean of Students, the Assistant Dean advises on strategy and communication; represents the office on committees and task forces; coordinates with academic services, institutional research, and athletics; and fosters strong relationships with students, faculty, staff, families, and external partners. This position manages the Director of Residential Services, the Director of Counseling, and the Communications and Student Services Manager.

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends.

At Principia College, our globally-focused curriculum honors diverse perspectives and develops creative changemakers who use their academic skills for good in service to themselves, their communities, and the world. In-depth study meets real-world experience through study abroad programs, internships, capstone projects, and a robust slate of student activities, including a world-renowned mediation team, top-ranked solar car team, and the nation’s oldest student-run public affairs conference.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

• Develops and implements assessment and continuous improvement processes for Student Life programs and services
• Coordinates and leads Student Life program review by managing review cycles, guiding documentation collection and analysis, and overseeing the preparation of written reports, ensuring that findings directly inform strategic planning, continuous improvement, and innovation
• Identifies areas for growth and proactively develops innovative programs and solutions to emerging student needs, with an emphasis on student success, character education, and holistic well-being; ensure programs and services are accessible, culturally responsive, and rooted in evidence-based practices; collaborates with external offices and stakeholders where appropriate
• Oversees Student Life communications, residential services, and well-being services—including Foundations of Character & Community Seminar and supervises the Director of Residential Life, Communications and Student Services Manager, and the Director of College Counseling Services
• Maintains expertise in the field of Student Affairs, staying abreast of Student Affairs literature and submitting notable materials to the Dean; attends relevant conferences, participates in professional associations, and pursue ongoing professional development
• Serves as a member of the Dean of Students’ leadership team, advising on strategic approaches, communications, and high-level decision-making; assist in developing, reviewing, and/or updating department programs or policies
• Represents the Dean of Students on committees, task forces, and at campus events as assigned; serve as Acting Dean of Students when necessary
• Builds and maintains trusted, collaborative relationships with students, faculty, staff, parents/families, and external stakeholders

Core Competencies

• Leadership: Strategic thinker with the ability to advise senior leadership and contribute to high-level decision-making; inspires trust and respect
• Community-Building and Belonging: Ability to ensure programs are accessible, culturally responsive, and grounded in evidence-based best practices; capacity to foster cross-campus collaboration to expand resources and opportunities for student success, character education, and well-being
• Interpersonal: Skilled in building and maintaining collaborative, trusted relationships with students, colleagues, families, and external stakeholders
• Professionalism and Judgment: Ability to exercise sound judgment in balancing complex priorities, making informed and ethical decisions, treating others with respect, and maintaining confidentiality
• Innovation: Demonstrated creativity and initiative in identifying emerging student needs and developing responsive programs and other solutions that integrate current Student Affairs trends, research, and best practices
• Analytical: Capacity to design and implement assessment tools to evaluate Student Life program effectiveness; analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data; apply findings to drive innovation
• Oral and Written Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear reports and articulate complex information. Strong facilitation and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and advocate for student-centered initiatives
• Planning/Organizing: Strong organizational skills to coordinate program review cycles and site visits; manage a variety of projects with competing priorities and timelines

Minimum Qualifications:

• Student of Christian Science
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements
• Master’s degree required or must be completed within three years
• Experience with legal frameworks and compliance preferred
• Experience in college administration, student life, college teaching, or comparable experience
• Demonstrated experience as an effective educator
• Experience in conflict resolution and mediation skills
• Experience working with international students preferred
• Computer literate; working knowledge of Microsoft Office

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive starting salary range for this position: $90,463- $101,771 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded).
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more.

Equal Opportunity

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.