About Clark University:

Founded in 1887, Clark was one of the first all-graduate institutions in the United States. Today the University is a highly-ranked, student-centered institution educating approximately 2,350 undergraduate and 1,150 graduate students to be imaginative and contributing citizens of the world and to advance the frontiers of knowledge and understanding through rigorous scholarship and creative effort. This commitment to scholarship and inquiry reflects the University’s commitment to “challenge convention and change our world” and to address issues of critical importance to society. It is also reflected by Clark’s many national and international distinctions, including recognition for its diversity and inclusion efforts, innovation, community engagement and impact, as a top green campus, and for having a distinguished geography and international development program. Clark has also been included in the groundbreaking Colleges that Change Lives guide since it was first published in 1996.

Clark is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, a dynamic, diverse city “on the rise.” The second largest city in New England, Worcester is home to 11 institutions of higher learning and is increasingly recognized for its growing healthcare and biotechnology communities, its thriving cultural scene, and as a vibrant food hub.

Job Description:

Reporting to the Associate Provost & Dean of Students, the successful candidate will be a student-centered, collaborative, innovative, and intentional educator responsible for providing leadership, strategic vision, and administrative oversight of campus-wide programs, services, and operations within the health and well-being portfolio.

The Associate Dean will serve as the main point person in the Dean of Students Office/Student Affairs to develop student programs, support student life, promote student learning regarding health and wellness, and contribute to the university’s goal of creating an environment to ensure effective and efficient delivery of innovative health and holistic well-being-related services to the campus community, including implementing appropriate prevention and response strategies for student crises and students of concern, including concerns related to students’ basic needs (Financial insecurity and food insecurity); the Associate Dean will provide educational training and outreach for students on health and wellness in the areas of suicide prevention, alcohol and other drugs, sexual health and wellness, spiritual development, physical fitness and nutrition, and healthy relationships.

The Associate Dean of Students will lead the operationalization of the recent health and wellness task force recommendations delivered to the Provost and Associate Provost/Dean of Students in May 2022.

The Associate Dean of Students for Health and Well-Being will provide leadership and have direct oversight of Health Services, Counseling & Personal Growth, Wellness Education, Campus Assessment, Response, and Education management (CARE) of students of concern cases. Other areas of health and wellness may be included as the University is going through structural and organizational changes.

Additionally, the Associate Dean of Students for Health and Well-Being will serve as a key campus partner and coordinator regarding campus efforts relating to COVID-19 management efforts. Lastly, this position will work closely with student organizations and critical campus partners on initiatives to mitigate the basic needs of our student body (financial insecurity and food insecurity).

In the area of student crises and students of concern, the Associate Dean will build relationships with faculty and other campus partners in identifying and responding to students of concern, manage the institution-wide CARE Team, support students engaging in the medical leave process, convene when necessary the Student Threat Assessment Team, serve on the institutional Bias Incident Response Team, manage the on-going evaluation and development of health and well-being emergency response protocols, and provide the vision for building an ethos of prevention and care on campus for students facing social and emotional challenges affecting their academic success.

The position will serve in on-call rotation as an emergency responder, e.g., represent the University in responding to student and University community emergencies; response may involve working with off-campus agencies, university police, and university departments.

The Associate Dean will support and advance Divisional goals, represent DOS on Division and University committees, and help shape the strategic mission of DOS and the Division of Student Affairs in supporting student success and advancing institutional goals for retention and persistence. This position will work closely with the Associate Dean of Students for Community Living, Associate Dean of Students for Engagement, and other Student Affairs Leadership Team members.

Major Responsibilities:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• Provide leadership, strategic vision, and administrative oversight of campus-wide programs, services, and operations within the health and well-being portfolio.
• Coordinate and lead synergistically Health Services, Counseling & Personal Growth, Wellness Education, CARE, etc., to bolster students’ well-being.
• Provides supervision and leadership across the institution regarding student health and well-being and develops collaborative approaches to solving challenging problems.
• Operationalize the health and wellness May 2022 taskforce recommendations.
• Commit to integrating student holistic well-being, especially mental health support, across all levels of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs.
• Supervise the Student Support Manager and, in doing so, provide strategic direction for supporting students in crisis.
• Manage student emergency response processes, protocols, and practices relating to health and well-being in collaboration with Division and University-wide partners.
• Serve in on-call rotation as an emergency responder, e.g., represent the University in responding to student and University community emergencies; response may involve working with off-campus agencies, university police, and university departments.
• Manage and triage projects and communications for the Dean of Students Office, and follow-up appropriately as well as serving as liaison to parents/guardians, families and designated contact of Clark students as appropriate, on behalf of the Division.
• Convene the Student Threat Assessment Team in collaboration with the Dean of Students as needed.
• Serve as a hearing officer, facilitator, or appeals officer for the University Conduct Board and the Title IX Hearing Board (hearing officer or facilitator only).
• Review highly confidential requests for student medical and voluntary withdrawals and manage processing and policy enhancement for withdrawals or leaves of absence in conjunction with the Dean of the College Office.
• Oversee policies and practices supporting students on Medical Leave to boost students’ successful return to Clark.
• Responsible for escalated operational issues, including human resources and people management.
• Drives innovation, inclusion, and excellence within the area of student support; reviews and creates policies and procedures.
• Provides expertise and identifies grant and funding opportunities; develops business relationships across the university and externally.
• Stays up-to-date on new student support standards, technologies, policies, and procedures and works collaboratively with other student support leaders across departments and campuses in determining standards, best practices, and related policies/procedures; ensures the adoption and implementation by direct reporting leaders.

Participate in the growth and development of the Division and Clark University

• Support the on-boarding and off-boarding process for students
• Support critical retention and student success initiatives
• Support key initiatives and experiences within Student Affairs and the University, such as opening weekend, orientation, commencement, family weekend, traditional events, etc.
• Promote efficiency and courtesy throughout the University community and ensure that it is consistent with Student Affairs’ mission and values
• Remain cognizant of the University’s mission and identity, the constant promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the importance of student voices
• Communicate effectively with supervisor concerning pertinent departmental and University matters
• Other duties as assigned that are within the best interest of the division

Requirements:

• Master’s degree (Doctorate preferred) in counseling, social work, higher education administration, student development, student personnel, or related field from an accredited institution, in addition to a minimum of 8-10 years of relevant experience in student affairs and higher education administration (or a combination of education and relevant experience). Supervisory experience is preferred.
• Knowledge and experience to provide appropriate responses and resources to students reporting challenges with mental health (including suicidal ideation), chronic health issues, substance abuse, or other issues affecting their educational success.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legal issues, current trends, and best practices that inform
• student case management in higher education.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, human relations, organizational, and time management skills, along with the ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a small, dynamic, highly-collaborative student affairs team.
• Demonstrated experience responding to crisis and complex conduct situations; managing sensitive and confidential information/records; understanding and appreciation for college student development, student success constructs, and the student affairs field in general.
• Possess a high level of intercultural competence, including experience working with diverse communities, such as students of color, first-generation college students, LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented student populations.
• Extended hours will be required on an as-needed basis, including evening, early morning, and weekend assignments.
• Prior experience working with and contributing to a diverse workplace with the ability to interact effectively with a broad range of constituents on campus

Clark University currently requires all employees and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Exemptions will be made for medical or disability reasons or religious beliefs, and could be made, at the sole discretion of the University, for other well-documented reasons.

Additional Information:

Clark University embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action as core values: we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. This commitment applies to every aspect of education, services, and employment policies and practices at Clark. Our commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. All positions at Clark share in the responsibility for building a community that values diversity and the uniqueness of others by exhibiting integrity and respect in interacting with all members of the Clark community to create an atmosphere of fairness and belonging. We strongly encourage members from historically underrepresented communities, inclusive of all women, to apply.

Clark University offers a generous benefit package for full and, if applicable, part-time employees that include; paid time off, generous retirement plan, group health and dental insurance, life insurance, and tuition, along with use of many campus amenities. For a complete list of benefits for eligible employees visit here.

Application Instructions:

To be considered for this position, you must submit your credentials online. Create a Clark University Careers Account. You will be able to upload the following documents, which are required for consideration:

See the FAQ for using our online system. Please contact us if you need assistance applying through this website.