Dean of Student Inclusive Excellence

Elon University invites applications for a visionary, accomplished leader to serve as the next Dean of Student Inclusive Excellence, providing strategic leadership for an inclusive campus community at Elon and advancing university goals for inclusive excellence – the shared responsibility of community members to act deliberately toward equitable outcomes. 

Founded in 1889, Elon University has held its core values constant throughout its history: close working relationships between faculty and students, a culture that supports continuous innovation, a strong sense of community, and a commitment to fulfilling its founders’ vision of an academic community that transforms mind, body, and spirit. Elon is a selective, mid-sized private university renowned as a national model for engaged and experiential learning. Students work closely with faculty who are dedicated to excellent teaching and scholarship. The curriculum is grounded in the traditional liberal arts and sciences and complemented by nationally accredited professional and graduate programs. Elon University’s success can be attributed to a stable team of strong leaders working within a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture in which new ideas are welcomed and frequently realized. Change is a constant, rooted in the university’s core commitments to excellence, student success through engaged learning, the teacher-scholar model, wise use of resources, and rigorous, flexible planning. 

Today, Elon has just over 7,100 students – 6,291 undergraduates and 826 graduate students – from 46 states, the District of Columbia and 3 U.S. territories, and 49 countries. Global engagement is central to Elon’s experience and the Institute of International Education has ranked Elon #1 in the nation for study abroad for 15 straight years. Elon is ranked among the top-100 National Universities by U.S. News & World Report, with a #1 ranking for excellence in undergraduate teaching and #9 for innovation. In addition, Elon is the leader in the “Focus on Student Success” feature – the only college or university ranked in the top-20 in all eight categories of high-impact academic programs. Included are #1 rankings for study abroad and learning communities and #2 rankings for first-year experiences and service learning. Elon employs more than 560 full- and part-time faculty and 1,000 full- and part-time staff and has been named to the list of “Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs” by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education and ACPA – College Educators International.  Elon sponsors 17 NCAA Division I varsity sports and is a member of the Colonial Athletic Association. 

Elon is known as a planning-focused institution, and the Boldly Elon strategic plan guides its vision for the future. Elon has built a reputation as a university like no other, a school that transformed from a small North Carolina college to become a leading national university. The next decade, filled with fundamental change for our world, is an exciting opportunity to advance Elon’s model of student- and learning-centered higher education. One of the four themes in the plan, Thrive, outlines the university’s commitment to build a healthier and more diverse, equitable and inclusive community, where all students, faculty, and staff experience belonging and well-being.

The Position

Reporting jointly to the Vice President for Student Life and Vice President and Associate Provost of Inclusive Excellence, the Dean of Student Inclusive Excellence will serve as a senior leader for two university divisions: Student Life and Inclusive Excellence. The dean will provide significant leadership for the student-centered initiatives to achieve the Boldly Elon goals to advance a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. The dean will engage this work with colleagues across the university, guided by signature university initiatives for enhancing intercultural and multifaith learning, academic-residential partnerships, social climate and out-of-class engagement, civic engagement, wellness and well-being, mentoring, and intellectual climate. In addition, the dean provides guidance and support for two Student Life departments – the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education (CREDE) and the Gender and LGBTQIA Center (GLC) – and supports the formulation and execution of short-term and long-range planning for the centers.

 Responsibilities include leading the implementation of equity audits across the Division of Student Life, coordinating the establishment of a process for staff to create individualized intercultural learning plans, working collaboratively to coordinate dialogue experiences for staff and students, and advising or leading other key initiatives. As a senior leader in two university divisions, the dean serves as a member of each vice president’s senior leadership team and important divisional and university committees, work groups, and project teams.  This position is responsible for providing direct supervision, guidance, and support to two department directors and an administrative assistant, as well as indirectly supporting an additional 7 full-time professional staff, 2 graduate apprentice(s), and nearly 60 student staff members.   

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of transformational leadership with student diversity, equity, and inclusion. An earned a master’s degree in higher education, student personnel, or related field, and at least 10-15 years of progressive post-master’s experience in one or more student affairs functional areas, at least five of which must be at the level of director or above, is required. A doctorate or other terminal degree is preferred, as is experience leading departments, cultural centers, and/or initiatives focusing on student diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates must have experience with engaged learning and high impact practices, be able to apply theory to practice; demonstrate cultural competence and humility and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; articulate a vision for student inclusive excellence; and demonstrate skills and experience with administrative writing, interpersonal communication, presenting, and relationship-building. Flexibility and the ability to effectively communicate with students, families, faculty, and staff are required for this position. 

Application and Additional Information

For a full job description and to apply visit https://elon.peopleadmin.com/postings/8213. Review of applications will begin January 3, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled.  Elon University is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to a diverse faculty, staff and student body and welcomes all applicants.

https://elon.peopleadmin.com/postings/8214