Widener University is currently seeking an Assistant Dean of Students for Student Engagement. Reporting to the Associate Vice President/Associate Dean for Student Living, Learning & Engagement, this position provides strategic, forward‑thinking leadership that deepens student involvement, strengthens belonging, and enhances the Widener student experience. This role oversees student organizations, fraternity and sorority life collaboration, leadership development, campus programming, and new student orientation. The Assistant Dean partners closely with faculty and academic units to support high‑impact learning and ensure alignment with institutional learning outcomes. The position manages and leads assessment initiatives that drive continuous improvement.
The Assistant Dean for Student Engagement provides strategic leadership for co‑curricular programs that cultivate student success, leadership development, and a strong sense of belonging. This role drives innovative initiatives, builds collaborative campus partnerships, and ensures all efforts align with the University’s mission and student development principles. Through cross‑departmental collaboration and a student‑centered approach, the position plays a key role in crisis intervention, and collaborating across departments to create a holistic, engaging, and inclusive campus experience. The Assistant Dean also supervises professional and student staff, and oversees departmental operations and budgets.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):
Essential Duties:
Strategic Leadership & Supervision
- Lead, mentor, and evaluate professional staff including directors, administrative assistant, and student employees while fostering accountability, growth, and high performance.
- Champion holistic student learning by advocating for programs, spaces, and experiences that deepen students’ connection to The Pride.
- Provide strategic oversight of the Office of Student Engagement to ensure operations align with University and divisional goals.
- Direct daily management of the University Center, cultivating an accessible, vibrant hub for community building and student engagement.
- Advise major student organizations including direct support for the Student Government Association to strengthen leadership development, governance, and organizational effectiveness.
- Design and deliver leadership education initiatives for both student organization leaders and unaffiliated students.
- Track and analyze national higher‑education trends to guide innovation, strategic planning, and adoption of best practices.
- Collaborate across Student Affairs to create cohesive, student‑centered engagement and support structures.
- Advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and cross‑cultural learning to foster a welcoming, affirming, and socially conscious campus environment.
Campus Partnerships & Collaboration
- Integrate the Curricular Approach into engagement initiatives by aligning programs with divisional learning outcomes.
- Support faculty and staff advisors to ensure student organizations contribute to educational and developmental goal
- Provide leadership for student governance structures and engagement pathways that complement academic learning.
- Oversee large‑scale campus traditions and events to ensure inclusive, well‑coordinated experiences that promote belonging.
- Partner with academic and administrative units to plan and execute Convocation, including logistics and program flow.
Technology Integration
- Oversee policies and training for student clubs, including digital resources, web content, and database management.
- Manage digital systems for the Student Leadership Awards, including marketing, nominations, and communications.
- Utilize platforms such as Engage/Anthology and Coursedog to support operational efficiency, fiscal stewardship, and engagement data tracking.
Orientation & Transition Programs
- Lead all components of the Pride Experience Orientation Program, including Summer Registration, Fall Orientation, and Transfer Orientation.
- Collaborate with campus partners to ensure orientation and transition programs promote belonging, engagement, and academic readiness.
Assessment & Continuous Improvement
- Direct departmental assessment initiatives to strengthen student learning and engagement outcomes.
- Use assessment data to inform program improvement, strategic planning, and resource justification.
- Lead assessment efforts within Student Living to evaluate program effectiveness, learning outcomes, and student satisfaction.
Secondary Responsibilities:
- Participate in on-call duty Dean rotation to address student crises and emergencies.
- Serve as a division representative on University-wide committees.
- Serve as a professional resource for established University-wide events and campus collaboration with student service partners or colleagues in Academic Affairs.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned or directed to support departmental needs and align with the mission, values and goals of the Student Engagement and Transformation Division and Widener University.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):
Required:
- Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Student Personnel, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
- Six to eight years of progressively responsible experience in Student Affairs, including leadership, staff supervision, and program administration.
- Valid state driver’s license.
- Comprehensive knowledge of student learning and development theory and its application in a higher education setting.
- Experience supervising professional and/or paraprofessional staff.
- Commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and belonging for students from diverse backgrounds.
- Experience managing departmental operations, including budgeting, resource allocation, and strategic planning.
- Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with students, faculty, and staff.
- Strong organizational and project‑management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
- Analytical, problem‑solving, and critical‑thinking abilities, including sound judgment and the ability to seek guidance when appropriate.
- Ability to assess student needs and address leadership, programming, or group‑dynamic challenges in ways that align with institutional culture.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), desktop publishing tools, and web‑based research and productivity software.
Preferred:
- Terminal degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in Higher Education, Student Personnel, Student Affairs, or a closely related field.
- Experience using or administering platforms such as Coursedog or Anthology Engage.
- Active engagement or membership in national professional associations such as NODA, NASPA, or ACPA.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:
- This position requires a flexible schedule beyond a standard 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. workday, including evening and weekend hours, to meet the needs of a residential campus environment.
- As an essential personnel position, may be required to report to campus during emergencies, inclement weather, or other critical University operations.
- The position may involve occasional physical activity in support of residential operations, such as event setup or move-in/move-out assistance (e.g., lifting up to 25 lbs., extended periods of standing, or walking between residential facilities).
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.
Some positions may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement that may include a partially or fully remote work location, consistent with Widener’s Flexible Work policy.
Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington. For more information about the university, please visit our website at www.widener.edu.
EOE M/F/V/D
