The Placement Exchange Job Board

Position Overview

The Associate Dean of Student Affairs serves on the Student Affairs Leadership Team. The ADSA plays a critical role in decision-making, providing leadership in functional areas and working collaboratively with students, staff, and external partners to further Duke Kunshan University’s mission and strategic plan. The ADSA works closely with the Dean of Students, given the many ways in which they must partner to achieve the best educational and developmental outcomes for an international student body. The ADSA will be responsible for providing leadership and administrative oversight of various units and services that promote and advance the mission and strategic plan in Student Affairs. The position is based on campus at Duke Kunshan University in Kunshan, China.

Reports to

Dean of Student Affairs

Essential Duties

• Provide visionary and strategic leadership for Campus Engagement, Counseling and Psychological Services, First Year Experience, Senior Year Experience, and Case Management.
• Plan, implement, evaluate, and modify a variety of programs, services, processes, standards, and operations related to assigned areas of supervision.
• Present innovative and creative ideas to continue and build on the current and future success of the assigned areas of supervision.
• Assist the Dean of Students in developing strategic initiatives in Student Affairs.
• Effectively manage crisis situations with and in the absence of the Dean of Students.
• Chair the planning committee for the commencement ceremony.
• Work with staff and campus stakeholders to coordinate support services for all students – on campus and virtually.
• Continually assess student needs and interests, as well as remain abreast of current trends and best practices in the field of student affairs and international higher education as it relates to identity development, student behavior, and mental health.
• Utilize relevant data, scholarship, and student development theories/models in planning and developing programs and services designed to actively foster student learning and growth.
• Ensure staff have a professional development plan that incorporates and encourages high performance and productivity.
• Establish a strong rapport and create a vibrant campus experience for students by being involved, visible, and engaged in all aspects of the university.
• Provide facilitation and mediation among students, faculty, and staff as necessary in response to student concerns and suggestions.
• Lead internal and external committees and task forces on special projects and initiatives.
• Provide leadership and direction in creating and maintaining a supportive campus through services, programs, and innovative learning experiences within and beyond the classroom.
• Oversee the budgets for each functional area.
• Foster collaborations with counterparts in Student Affairs and Academic Affairs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• University employees' job responsibilities will continue to expand in scope and depth as the University grows in size and complexity in its programs.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in student personnel administration, higher education administration, student affairs, counseling, or closely related field.
• Need at least ten to fifteen years of relevant experience. Minimum of seven years in progressive leadership roles in Student Affairs.
• Experience supervising staff in a university environment.
• Understanding and affinity for working in a liberal arts university setting.
• Bilingual skill is highly preferred.
• Intercultural competence and ability to embrace diverse perspectives.
• Effective interpersonal and communications skills, including the ability to convey information in accessible terms to a variety of audiences. Outstanding verbal, writing, and presentation skills. Must be able to communicate and interact effectively with students, staff, faculty, and all external constituencies.
• Ability to form and maintain healthy relationships with students and colleagues
• Exceptional skills in mentorship and conflict resolution.
• Ability to make data informed decisions and utilize a cycle of assessment for continuous improvement.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends if necessary, and to have flexibility and an openness to adapt occasional hours to accommodate online, hybrid, and non-traditional schedules.
• Desire to work in a team-oriented, dynamic, fast-paced, diverse environment.
• Commitment to supporting an innovative, intercultural learning community with students, faculty, and staff from multiple countries and cultures.
• Proficiency in computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite, website updates, electronic communications, Student Information System databases (SIS), online learning platforms, and web-based applications.

Education

Master's degree in student personnel administration, higher education administration, student affairs, counseling, or closely related field.

Years of Related Working Experience

Need at least ten to fifteen years of relevant experience. Minimum of seven years in progressive leadership roles in Student Affairs.

About Duke Kunshan University

Duke Kunshan is a world-class liberal arts university based in Kunshan, China, that offers a range of high quality, innovative academic programs for students from around the world. It was established in September 2013 as a U.S.-China partnership between Duke University and Wuhan University. Duke Kunshan welcomed its first students in August 2014. The university began by offering Duke graduate degrees as well as a Global Learning Semester program for undergraduate students from Duke and top-tier Chinese and international universities.

Connections working at Duke Kunshan University