Associate Dean of Residential Life
Founded in 1769, Dartmouth College is a member of the Ivy League and consistently ranks among the world’s greatest academic institutions. As an R1 institution with high research activity, Dartmouth has forged a singular identity for combining its deep commitment to outstanding undergraduate liberal arts and graduate education with distinguished research and scholarship in the Arts and Sciences and its four leading graduate schools—the Geisel School of Medicine, the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business. The College serves 6,761 students and encompasses over 161 administrative, academic, residential, and athletic buildings. With its quarter-term academic calendar, Dartmouth’s highly residential 269-acre main campus remains a very active 24/7 environment year-round. The College is located in the small town of Hanover, New Hampshire, judged one of the best places to live due to its strong sense of community, rich cultural life, and regional resources that include major teaching hospitals, a burgeoning high-tech sector with global connections, and extensive recreational opportunities. Influenced by its distinctive New England setting and heritage, Dartmouth embodies a pioneering commitment to “making a difference” in a community whose members work together to create knowledge, connect to the world, and further their sense of identity and direction.
Residential Life is responsible for maintaining student residences. They provide a variety of learning opportunities that promote students’ academic endeavors, and encourage growth and development. They are committed to offering an array of educational and social programming intended to support and challenge students intellectually and interpersonally. They are also committed to forging residential communities distinguished by such attributes as caring, interdependence, collaboration, openness, and appreciation of difference.
The Position
Reporting to the dean of the college, the associate dean of residential life oversees, develops, administers, and manages all aspects of the comprehensive residential life program for undergraduates living in campus residence halls and living learning communities. This includes oversight of all professional staff in the units that comprise Residential Life: House Communities, Undergraduate Housing, Residential Education, and Greek Life. As such, this position must work closely with the dean of the college and other senior divisional leadership while collaborating with student affairs colleagues, faculty, students, and others to create and maintain a residential community that fosters integrative student academic, social, and emotional growth. As an active student affairs management team member, the associate dean oversees a staff of 16 with an additional six house professors with a dual report to the dean of the college and a $5M budget.
Qualifications
A master’s degree in student affairs or a counseling-related discipline, or the equivalent, is required, with a minimum of eight years of progressively responsible and relevant student affairs experience, preferably in residential life. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience working both independently and collaboratively, with outstanding proficiency in teamwork, collaboration, flexibility, and organizational problem-solving; demonstrated effectiveness in project management, including facilitating the development of project goals and implementation strategies; and solid skills in financial and budget management with the ability to interpret and prepare departmental budgets and other financial reports. The associate dean will have a solid foundation in student developmental theory and its application to professional practice in higher education and student affairs; demonstrated ability and commitment to fostering the development of and building strong relationships with students; interpersonal skills to effectively work with students, faculty, and staff; and cultural competence and proven effectiveness in serving the needs of a diverse undergraduate student population. In addition, the associate dean will have a proven record of successful management and supervisory experience in student affairs; a track record of setting and achieving professional and departmental goals; and demonstrated ability to utilize data for decision-making, accountability, and continuous improvement. The ability to communicate and relate effectively to all constituent groups within the College community; a proven record of successful experience responding to individual and community issues and crises; and a tendency to address challenges collaboratively and creatively are all required attributes of the next associate dean. Finally, a proven record of success and effectiveness in the oversight and management of residential life programs within a selective liberal arts undergraduate community is preferred.
Application and Nomination
Review of applications will begin on January 31, 2023, and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at https://www.spelmanandjohnson.com/position/associate-dean-of-residential-life/. Nominations for this position may be emailed to Heather J. Larabee at hjl@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.
Visit the Dartmouth College website at home.dartmouth.edu.
Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.