Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs

Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs

Benefits of working at VCU

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.

Job Code 35414

Recruitment Pool All Applicants

Posting Number req7529

Unit College of Humanit and Sciences MBU

Department CHS Office of Student Services

Department Website Link

Location VCU

Address 827 West Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284 USA

Duties & Responsibilities

Summary

The VCU College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) invites applications for Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs. Regarded as a vibrant place to work, where discovery and creativity goes hand in hand, and differences are celebrated and embraced, the university. VCU is committed to fostering a welcoming and respectful environment for individuals from all backgrounds and life experience. We value a wide range of perspectives and are dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute fully.

VCU combines learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with a commitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 “most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs. Here your success is supported, and your career can thrive.

VCU is proud to support and prioritize the hiring of veterans. As part of this commitment, your years of military service can be credited toward our leave plan, potentially increasing your annual leave accrual.

The position falls under the Senior Director classification within VCU’s Student Services job family. For additional details, please visit VCU Human Resources’ Job Family and Salary

Duties and Responsibilities of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs

The Associate Dean will be responsible for working with the VCU and College team to develop and implement a strategy for undergraduate education and student success into the future, including strategies for enrollment management, recruiting, advising, retention/graduation, and guidance on development of new degree programs. This position plays a meaningful role in supporting the university’s bold enrollment goals focused on attracting, admitting, and enrolling talented students from a wide range of backgrounds. It offers an exciting opportunity to help shape and lead a forward-thinking undergraduate program strategy.

With the guidance of the Dean and a reimagined college structure, there is a strong commitment to developing thoughtful, intentional plans that support the success of students from communities that have historically faced barriers to access and opportunity in higher education.

The role entails:

•Developing and executing a strategic plan for enrollment.

•Supervising College advisors and collaborating with central offices and other schools on academic advising.

•Collaborating with Student Enrollment Management on undergraduate recruitment.

•Partner with Division of Student Affairs new student orientation.

•Working with University Relations and internal communications on marketing for the College and its degree programs.

•Providing oversight of undergraduate curriculum planning, development and evaluation, and assessment of undergraduate programs in order to ensure student success

•Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assisting with the management of University/College-wide/Departmental accreditation and assessment procedures, oversight of student complaints and grade appeals, and certification for graduation.

Qualifications

Minimum Hiring Standards

•A master's degree in a relevant field such as Higher Education Administration, Educational Leadership, or a closely related discipline, along with 5-7 years of experience in the field; a PhD is strongly preferred.

•Experience in Higher education.

•Ability to work collaboratively with staff across advising, student success, associate deans, College members, and senior leadership (provost and president offices).

•Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a member of VCU.

•Ability to effectively use data to drive planning and decision-making.

•Ability to develop creative solutions that support student success, with knowledge of higher education research and trends in undergraduate recruitment, retention, and graduation.

•Commitment to recruiting and retaining students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, along with leadership experience and a proven ability to manage multiple projects efficiently and effectively.

•Demonstrates energy, teamwork, and a genuine commitment to improving student achievement.

•Proven ability to develop a strategic enrollment plan for a large college with students from varied backgrounds and academic areas.

•Skilled at applying higher education trends to programs that support sustainable growth and meet student needs.

•Clear vision for leading a college like CHS, with a focus on improving recruitment, retention, and graduation outcomes.

•Strong team management skills, balancing long-term goals with daily operations.

•Genuine interest in working collaboratively as part of a leadership team.

Preferred Hiring Standards

•PhD or EdD in Higher Education Administration, Educational Leadership, or a comparable discipline.

•Experience working with individuals from a variety of backgrounds in an urban, public institution.

Job Requirements

Physical Demands

Light lifting (<20 lbs.), essential

Pushing/pulling, marginal

Standing, essential

Sitting, essential

Repetitive motion, essential

Reaching, essential

Bending, essential

Emotional Demands

Fast pace, essential

Average pace, essential

Multiple stimuli, essential

Intense customer interaction, essential

Frequent change, essential

Mental/Sensory Demands

Memory, essential

Reasoning, essential

Hearing, essential

Reading, essential

Analyzing, essential

Logic, essential

Verbal communication, essential

Written communication, essential

FLSA Executive & Senior Leadership

Job FTE 1

Exemption Status Exempt

Restricted Position No

E-Class UF - University Employee FT

Job Category Executive and Senior Leadership

ORP Eligible Yes

Salary Range $116,000 to $140,000

Compensation Type Salaried

Target Hire Date 8/25/2025

Contact Information for Candidates

Danielle Hairston

Documents Needed to Apply Cover letter, resume/CV, list of three professional references and their contact information.