POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Associate Vice President of Student Life/Dean of Students
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1840
GRADE 49
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Vice President for Student Affairs
MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR President
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Associate Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students is responsible for policy development, administration, supervision of staff, budget development and oversight, program planning and implementation as well as providing vision and strategic direction to departments and programs within the Student Life area of the Student Affairs division: Student Conduct, New Student and Family Programs, Counseling and Testing Center, student government advising, Disability Resource Center, and the Plaster Student Union. The Associate Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students participates in the formation of student policies and procedures and is the point of contact and facilitator for the Behavior Intervention Team. The Associate Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students serves as an advocate for students and the student voice in University decisions that directly affect students’ education and well-being. The Associate Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students coordinates and implements divisional initiatives such as staff development, new student convocation, assessment, strategic planning, and other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Student Affairs.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Master's degree in Education Administration, College Student Personnel, Student Development, Recreation Administration, Business Administration or a related field is required. A Doctorate in an appropriate field is preferred.
Experience: At least seven years of successful administrative experience in higher education is required including: experience in managing a large budget and generating revenues to expand services; appropriate supervisory experience; and a demonstrated commitment to equal opportunity/affirmative action. Experience in a comparable professional position and experience in both auxiliary enterprises and student development programming is preferred.
Skills: Requires exceptional organizational, management, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Computer literacy is required.
Other: The scope of the position requires evening and weekend work.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Ensures that the out-of-classroom and co-curricular needs of the University community are met through comprehensive and mutually supportive programming and activities by supervising and providing professional support to the Student Life areas of New Student and Family Programs, Counseling and Testing Center, student government advising, Student Conduct, Disability Resource Center, and the Plaster Student Union.
2. Ensures student life areas accomplish the parallel goals of student development and providing quality facilities for the University community by formulating operational policies and procedures which engender an equitable balance between the educational goals of students and their co-curricular needs, planning and coordinating the programs and activities conducted during the academic year, and assessing and evaluating achievement of those goals and objectives through formal assessment, personal observations, reports, student input, and other strategies.
3. Ensures that quality services and programs are provided to the University community by supervising all programs, activities, and functions held in, hosted, sponsored, or developed by the Student Affairs’ Student Life areas of Plaster Student Union, New Student and Family Programs, Counseling and Testing Center, student government advising, Disability Resource Center, and Student Conduct.
4. Enhances academic education through the development of policies and programs which promote the personal growth and development of students.
5. Assures compliance with laws and regulations and minimizes institutional liability by systematically reviewing University compliance with federally-mandated reporting and disclosure requirements, including production and dissemination of the annual notice on Drug-Free Schools and Communities, remaining knowledgeable of federal, state, and local laws and regulations affecting areas of responsibility, creating and modifying policies, procedures, and practices in order to become/remain compliant, and advising others in the interpretation and application of laws and regulations.
6. Advises the Student Government Association and Campus Judicial Board and co-facilitates the Executive Council of Student Leaders.
7. Provides leadership by facilitating strategic planning consistent with the growth of the University and the needs of student body.
8. Ensures effective business operations and manages funds by preparing the annual budget, monitoring expenditures, and submitting required fiscal reports.
9. Leads the University’s Behavioral Intervention Team and promotes its utilization among students, faculty, and staff to evaluate and appropriately intervene with those whose behavior may be harmful or disruptive to themselves or others.
10. Assists with emergencies involving the death of students, attempted and/or actual suicides, and other emergencies (e.g., bomb threat or possession of weapons on campus or at University activities and events) by coordinating the appropriate response to such emergencies that may include notification of parents, determining what additional University personnel need to be notified and involved, and issuing suspension from classes if necessary.
11. Serves as a resource for faculty and staff on student behavioral issues in the classroom and workplace.
12. Serves as a resource to parents who have concerns about their children who are students at Missouri State University.
13. Coordinates the Wall of Fame Selection Committee by serving as Chair.
14. Coordinates and implements staff development programs for Student Affairs staff by planning and organizing goal setting and review sessions for the State of the Division, informational sessions on current issues in Student Services, and personal development topics.
15. Coordinates the annual new student convocation prior to the start of the fall academic semester.
16. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as directed by the supervisor.
17. Contributes to the overall success of the Division of Student Affairs by performing all other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Student Affairs.
SUPERVISION
The Associate Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students is supervised by the Vice President for Student Affairs and supervises staff in the Student Life areas of the Plaster Student Union, Student Conduct, student government advising, Counseling and Testing Center, Disability Resource Center and New Student and New Student and Parent Programs.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JANUARY 2025