THE OPPORTUNITY

The Dean of Students reports to the Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management and serves as a key member of the Vice Presidents leaders' team. The position provides strategic and operational oversight for the direction, development and implementation of programming and services that support student development and wellbeing such as Housing and Residential Life, Student Conduct, Campus Life, Health and Wellness and Outreach. The role is accountable for multiple campus and community-based resources and development across the University, as well as many grant and partner-based programs and projects. The position partners closely with other student and academic affairs leaders to ensure robust and aligned networks of support that positively impact students.

Search Prospectus

To learn more about the opportunity, download the prospectus by clicking here.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A focus on holistic student well-being and development (academic, social, physical, and especially emotional)
Experience building and leading a comprehensive structure to support Housing and Residential Life, Student Conduct, Campus Life, Health and Wellness and Outreach
An intentional focus - including programming and assessment experience- on student belonging and engagement on a residential campus.
A deep, authentic personal concern for and engagement with students.
Ensure optimal utilization of financial resources, effective operations, and technological platforms

QUALIFICATIONS

Educational Requirements

Master's degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education Administration, Counseling, or Doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) strongly preferred, with specialization in areas relevant to student affairs, leadership, educational administration, or related field that demonstrates understanding of student development and university operations

Professional Experience

Minimum of five to seven years of recent and progressive leadership experience in student affairs or related higher education roles
Demonstrated track record of increasing responsibility in areas such as housing & residence life, student conduct, mental health services, campus programming, or student development
Experience supervising professional staff and managing departmental budgets

Housing and Residence Life Expertise

Experience with housing & residence life operations, including staff supervision, policy development, and facilities management
Proven ability to develop and implement programming that fosters student engagement, safety, and community building
Experience with occupancy management, budget forecasting, and strategic planning for housing operations

Mental Health and Wellness Experience

Experience managing contracts with mental health service providers and coordination of wellness resources
Understanding of crisis intervention protocols and referral processes for students in distress
Familiarity with current trends and best practices in college student mental health support services

Collaboration and Leadership Skills

Exceptional ability to build relationships across campus constituencies, including faculty, staff, and administration
Experience coaching and developing staff members to achieve departmental and institutional goals
Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive team environment that values diverse perspectives

Campus Partnerships

Experience in developing and maintaining effective partnerships with academic affairs, enrollment management, and other campus stakeholders
Experience serving on university-wide committees and task forces addressing student success initiatives
Track record of collaborating with community partners to enhance student support resources

Technical Proficiency

Demonstrated understanding of and experience with student information systems including Star Rez, Banner, Peoplesoft, Maxient, and ERPs
Familiarity with card access systems and other technology platforms that support residence life and student services
Ability to utilize data from these systems to inform decision-making and strategic planning

Residency Requirement

Must establish and maintain residence within a 30-minute commute of FVSU Main campus to ensure availability for campus emergencies

Flexible Work Schedule

Willingness and ability to work a non-traditional schedule including late evenings and weekends as required
Understanding of on-call responsibilities and availability to respond to student crises
Commitment to attending and supporting student events and programs outside regular business hours

Additional Responsibilities

Flexibility to assume other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Willingness to adapt to emerging needs and priorities within the division
Ability to represent the university at professional conferences and community events as needed

CAMPUS LIFE RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Advocacy

Serves as the primary advocate for the student experience, actively representing student interests and concerns to university administration
Campaigns for students on issues related to co-curricular education, leadership development, campus safety, housing assignments, and other areas impacting student life
Develops strategies to build and sustain trust with the diverse student population through regular engagement, open forums, and accessible communication channels

Programming Leadership

Provides strategic leadership for campus-wide programs and events, including major traditions, late night/ weekend programming, and weekly activities
Ensures programming aligns with institutional mission and strategic goals while meeting diverse student needs
Directs assessment efforts to measure program effectiveness and impact on student engagement and satisfaction

Summer Operations Support

Contributes to registration logistics, facility coordination, and operational support for non-academic programming during summer sessions
Ensures summer programming upholds university standards and provides positive experiences for external constituents
Collaborates with housing, facilities, and dining services to create seamless summer operations

Professional Development

Provides training and resources for university faculty and staff on effectively managing student behavioral issues
Educates campus stakeholders on student rights and responsibilities within the university community
Develops workshops and materials on topics such as conflict resolution, student support strategies, and appropriate intervention techniques
Serves as a resource for colleagues seeking guidance on complex student situations

Student Activities Engagement

Actively engages with and provides support for diverse student-led activities, organizations, and initiatives
Attends student events regularly to demonstrate institutional commitment
Allocates resources effectively to support vibrant campus life and student-directed programming
Fosters student leadership development through mentoring, training, and creating opportunities for meaningful campus involvement

Student Conduct

Experience with judicial procedures and policies FERPA, and Title IX, as well knowledge of best practices in risk management
Able to assess and support the developmental needs of all college students across a broad spectrum of diverse lived experiences and backgrounds.
Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills and the ability to handle conflict resolution issues is important; strong analytical and human relations skills needed to negotiate solutions to complex student issues and concerns.
Provide yearly review of conduct proceedings, edits, and disseminates the Student Handbook by July 1st annually.
Knowledge of college/university best practices in risk management

Mental Health and Wellness/Outreach

Mental health and wellness experience, including crisis response and conflict resolution experience.
Engages and collaborates with institutional community partners.
Ability to help students navigate life away from their homes and community

HOUSING AND RESIDENTIAL LIFE

Strategic Planning

Utilizes residence hall assessment data, occupancy trends, and student feedback to inform long-range strategic planning
Develops comprehensive budget forecasts that align with institutional priorities and enrollment projections
Make data-driven decisions about facility improvements, staffing levels, and programming investments

Leadership Presence

Serves as a visible, present, and approachable leader within the Residential Living Office
Functions as a critical member of the Student Life and Leadership Team, providing strategic direction
Oversees all day-to-day residence life operations while serving as functional lead across housing areas

Facilities Management

Assist in leading residential master planning initiatives, including development of proposals for new construction
Implements ongoing strategies to modernize existing residential facilities and enhance living environments
Collaborates with facilities management to ensure timely maintenance and capital improvements

Crisis Response

Ensures proper implementation of comprehensive crisis management protocols throughout residential facilities
Leads departmental responses to high-level crises including student deaths, health emergencies, and safety threats
Coordinates cross-departmental responses to contagious illness concerns and other campus-wide emergencies

ABOUT FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY

Fort Valley State University (FVSU) is a public, historically Black university located in Fort Valley, Georgia. Established in 1895, it is the state's 1890 land-grant institution and a member of the University System of Georgia. FVSU offers over 50 undergraduate and several graduate degree programs, with notable strengths in agriculture, veterinary technology, and STEM fields.

The university's 1,365-acre campus is the second largest in Georgia by area. Approximately 90% of its student body is of African-American descent. FVSU is recognized for its affordability, research opportunities, and commitment to student success. It has been ranked as the #1 public HBCU in Georgia for seven consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report.

The university's mission is to provide excellent academic programs that integrate quality instruction, research, extension, and student learning experiences responsive to the needs of a culturally and economically diverse student population.

ABOUT FORT VALLEY, GEORGIA

FSVU is in the Central Georgia metropolitan area, which encompasses the state's fourth largest city, Macon, as well as several growing cities and progressive small towns. Other features of the area include Robins Air Force Base, one of the state's largest employers; the #11 rated public school in Georgia, the Academy of Classical Education; the nationally recognized Houston County School System; and outstanding healthcare along with the second largest hospital in Georgia.

Central Georgia offers endless activity opportunities for families and individuals alike. A wide range of fine and casual dining, live music venues, festivals, water parks, golf courses, museums, historical sites, farmer's markets, touring Broadway shows, kayaking, indoor rock climbing and more provide an appealing quality of life.

The City of Fort Valley has been honored as one of 10 Georgia "Cities of Excellence," and it is considered one of the state's "best managed and most livable cities." It offers tree-lined streets and beautiful historic homes and boasts a cost of living below the state and national average.

Beyond the Metro Central Georgia area, Atlanta, one of the nation's largest cities and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is easily accessible by I-75. If looking for time at the beach or enjoying the cool mountain air, the Georgia coastline or Blue Ridge Mountains are only a three-hour drive away.

APPLICATION PROCESS

In addition to submitting your resume, cover letter, and three professional references, all candidates for the Dean of Students position at Fort Valley State University must provide a detailed abstract (500-750 words) describing an innovative atfter-school hours programming initiative that you have either developed independently or in which you played a substantial leadership role. Your abstract should include: (1) a concise overview of the program's purpose and target student population; (2) specific details regarding the program's structure, implementation strategy, and resource allocation; (3) measurable outcomes and assessment methodologies utilized; (4) challenges encountered and how they were addressed; and (5) evidence of the program's impact on student development, campus culture, or community engagement. The abstract should demonstrate your capacity for creative problem-solving, student-centered programming, and effective leadership in co-curricular initiatives. This submission provides the selection committee with tangible evidence of your ability to develop and execute innovative student engagement strategies that align with FVSU's mission of fostering student success beyond the classroom.

To assure full consideration, application materials should be received by May 30, 2025.

Please direct nominations and inquiries to:

Dr. Will Anyu Associate Principal TM2 Executive Search will.anyu@tm2search.com

Jessica Horton, M.S. Associate Principal TM2 Executive Search jessica.horton@tm2search.com

ABOUT TM² EXECUTIVE SEARCH

TM² Executive Search specializes in providing exemplary executive talent acquisition consultation for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), predominantly Black institutions (PBIs), and other organizations looking to attract highly qualified, motivated, accomplished diverse candidates at all levels of the administration. TM² Executive Search is committed to supporting the Black college community and developing the future of HBCU leadership. We use our combined experiences in higher education and executive search to partner with institutions to build highly effective and functioning leadership through increasing the quality of talent acquisition and developing strategic leaders. TM² Executive Search serves as the official educational talent search subsidiary of Thurgood Marshall College Fund. For more information about TM² Executive Search, visit tm2search.com.

APPLY NOW

Fort Valley State University Music Jobs

New Jobs

Dean of Students