Responsibilities of the Position
Reporting to the associate dean of residential life, the assistant dean of residential life and director of residential education directs the residential education program for undergraduate students at Dartmouth College. The assistant dean partners with faculty in the house communities and supervises professional staff to develop, maintain, and assess a residential experience that fosters intellectual engagement, a sense of community and belonging, and continuity for Dartmouth students. Further, the assistant dean will work as a residential life leadership team member to assist with the day-to-day management and effective leadership of the residential life unit’s administrative, fiscal, and operational functions to achieve collective goals and objectives. This position oversees all professional staff within the department of residential education with a budget of $1 million and works in collaboration with the director of undergraduate housing and the director of greek life.
Key Accountabilities include:
Supervision and Staff Development
- Recruits, selects, trains, supervises, develops, and evaluates professional staff.
- Provides oversight, hiring, orientation, ongoing training, and evaluation of residential education faculty, professional, graduate, and undergraduate student staff.
- Develops a positive and reliable presence and collaborative relationships with colleagues and partners to cultivate a strong team supporting a solid residential learning community.
Departmental Administration
- Envisions, develops, and implements the goals, policies, and systems of the office of residential education in support of Dartmouth’s house system, with a collaborative cross-divisional and all-institution disposition.
- Leads Dartmouth’s varied and complex living-learning communities (LLC) program.
- Serves as the primary point of contact for offices who programmatically advise LLCs, supporting and collaborating with undergraduate housing in support of each LLC, and managing relationships around campus for all who connect with the LLC program.
- Oversees the process associated with hiring, evaluating, and managing the live-in advisor role, in collaboration with program support offices.
- Oversees the ongoing development and implementation of the house community assessment.
- Partners with colleagues to coordinate and lead residential education staff during large-scale residence hall activities such as opening/closing procedures, new student orientation, and other traditional events.
- With best practices in mind, a growth mindset guiding, and in collaboration with residential life leaders, reviews and amends housing policies, procedures, and residential curriculum in a manner that promotes an inclusive residential community for students with a lens of equity, student learning, and belonging.
- Partners with the office of community standards and accountability to ensure consistent and appropriate implementation of reporting processes and management of community standards violations within the residential community.
- Represents department and/or unit in student affairs case management efforts and during student crises and/or emergencies.
- Participates as needed in envisioning campus renovation projects in collaboration with the associate dean.
- Serves as a member of the campus dean-on-call emergency response team and oversees the departmental on-call system, which includes live-in professionals, graduate, and undergraduate staff.
- In the absence or at the request of the associate dean of residential life, assists with providing support to the residential life unit.
Other
- Serves on the leadership team for the residential life unit and subsequent committees associated with this group.
- Serves on divisional and College committees as directed or invited.
- Attends Dartmouth professional training programs and participates in appropriate professional organizations, conferences, and research activities to remain current in the field. Actively pursues opportunities to establish and maintain professional networks and formally present information to colleagues.
- Leads, creates, and shares opportunities for professional development to encourage leadership and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) work within professional and student staff teams.
Qualifications and Characteristics of the Successful Candidate
The successful candidate will have a master’s degree with at least six years of relevant professional student affairs experience, preferably with a residential life focus. In addition, the assistant dean must be familiar with liberal arts institutions, living-learning and/or special interest programs within residence halls, and budget administration. Strong experience and an ongoing expressed commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in residential life with demonstrated cultural competence and proven effectiveness in serving the needs of a diverse student population are necessary. Exceptional interpersonal and persuasive skills and ability to relate well and interact with students, faculty, parents, and College administrators; excellent organizational skills and the ability to take the initiative, balance competing demands, and make decisions under pressure; outstanding written communication and public speaking skills; the ability to foster respectful communications and collaborations; and mature judgment, planning, and problem-solving skills are all required qualifications. Further, the next assistant dean will have demonstrated professional supervisory experience, programmatic leadership, experience working collaboratively with faculty, and an understanding of academic institutional policies and politics. A demonstrated ability to apply student development theory and practice in an evolving and complex residential setting; aptitude for the use of technology to create an efficient and effective workplace including but not limited to web, social media, campus software (e.g., Maxient, Banner, Star Rez, etc.); an applied understanding of case management and student accountability systems in the residential context; and the ability to adapt personal and professional schedules to the College’s year-round academic calendar are required for the next assistant dean.
In addition to the stated qualifications and characteristics, Dartmouth stakeholders identified the following characteristics as important for the assistant dean (in no particular order):
- Possesses the ability to provide a vibrant residential environment that supports the College’s mission and values while assuring meaningful connections with the academic community, high resident satisfaction, strong sense of community and self-governance, supportive learning environments, and focus on access, equity, and safety.
- Has a demonstrated record of using data and predictive measures to evaluate and manage programs, services, facilities, and staffing; applies assessment and an understanding of institutional context to inform decisions.
- Possesses an understanding of and deep commitment to social justice and cultural competence; holds a firm belief in the value of diversity in enriching the learning experience and the quality of life on campus.
- Is an ethical and accessible professional who leads with compassion and transparency; possesses excellent communication skills to clearly articulate vision, direction, and purpose to the department and the broader campus community and earns the respect and confidence of the faculty, staff, students, and community.
- Holds a proven record of implementing change, establishing a vision and direction for an office/department, motivating staff and students to embrace change, and successfully creating new programs and initiatives to enhance the quality of life for all residents.
- Is a credible, engaging, supportive, empathetic, and approachable supervisor with knowledge of each staff member’s responsibilities, respect for their work and contributions, and is adept at advocating for staff and students, their programs, and their needs.
- Uses best practices, technology, and innovation to continually provide students with innovative programs and services.
- Is a solid systems thinker who can assist residential life in a proactive approach to upcoming trends, issues, and needs.
- Is a strong community builder and collaborator, capable of building bridges to various departments, faculty, staff, students, and the broader Dartmouth community.
- Has a demonstrated leadership ability with excellent management skills, the ability to manage feedback with constructive action, and to build a solid framework to effectively develop and manage a complex, student-centered department.
- Possesses strong crisis management skills and demonstrated experience successfully working through crises, with knowledge of risk management, mental health issues, and policies and laws impacting campus professionals and students.
- Embodies a positive energy, solid sense of creativity, humor, purpose, and accountability that can be infused throughout the department.
- Has a profound interest in student development with a broad knowledge of residential life, national best practices, and a commitment to encouraging and supporting professional development experiences at all levels within the department.
- Has the ability to genuinely connect with, support, and relate to a highly engaged and intelligent student body by being visible and accessible to all students, attending student events of all kinds, and serving as a vital resource.
- Is committed to establishing a student-centered approach to learning and engagement throughout the department’s programs and services.
History of the Position
The previous assistant dean of residential life and director of residential education left the institution to pursue a new challenge in November 2023 after serving in the capacity since July 2022. With a new associate dean for residential life at Dartmouth, the department is experiencing significant positive change. The institution is excited to find its next assistant dean who will be instrumental in building upon this momentum.
Opportunities and Challenges of the Role
In transitioning to Dartmouth, the assistant dean will encounter the following opportunities, priorities, and challenges, as shared by key campus stakeholders:
- Currently, residential life is making positive changes to better integrate with the whole campus, serving as a vital partner with other offices and departments to enhance the student experience through innovative services and programming.
- Dartmouth is a highly residential campus, providing this assistant dean with a level of influence that must be paired with skills for developing and implementing strategic priorities for house communities.
- The assistant dean will need to infuse assessment and the use of data to guide informed decisions for the department.
- Dartmouth has a new president who has shown a strong interest in the student experience and work of student affairs which will propel innovation and excellence in the arena of residential education.
- Dartmouth’s living-learning communities will benefit from added attention, improved characterization, and augmented programming.
- The time is right to enhance the undergraduate advisor’s (UGA) role to include responsibilities that better align with the work and values of residential life, student affairs, and Dartmouth.
- The assistant dean is positioned to create a new approach to the recruitment and retention of staff members while providing professional development, inspired training, and growth opportunities for students and professional staff.
- Dartmouth is currently undertaking a multi-year housing facility renewal, resulting in beds being offline at various times throughout the year.
- Dartmouth’s house system is at a critical point. The assistant dean will work closely with the associate dean to continue evaluating the system and develop and implement an overarching vision, goals, and successful narrative.
- The UGAs are considering unionizing. While this is an emerging issue, it is one that will deserve the attention of the new assistant dean.
- The fast-paced term system adds to the complexities at Dartmouth and proves to be challenging for staff in residential life and housing, with many students moving in and out of facilities several times a year.
Measures of Success
At an appropriate interval after joining Dartmouth, the following will define initial success for the assistant dean.
- The assistant dean has enhanced recruitment, onboarding, training, and retention efforts for all staff and student workers.
- The residential education team is fully staffed, strong, and thriving.
- The assistant dean has built strong relationships and sense of trust with campus partners and student affairs leadership.
- The assistant dean has worked closely with all the house professors to further their efforts to contribute to an elevated student experience.
- Campus partners regard the team as responsive and accountable.
- The assistant dean has implemented systems to retain important information, knowledge, and processes foundational to the department’s work.
- The assistant dean is a visible and present leader providing consistent and transparent internal and external communication throughout the department.
- Understanding each staff member’s role and how they contribute to the larger organization has been developed; the staff feel valued and supported.
- Students know and feel comfortable communicating with the assistant dean.
- An understanding of and commitment to diversity is shown through values-based decision-making that creates thriving student communities.
Overview of Residential Life
Residential life is responsible for maintaining student residences and providing a variety of learning opportunities that promote students’ academic endeavors and encourage growth and development. Residential life includes residential education, housing, and greek life.
Part of the residential life department, residential education is responsible for hall programs and student staff selection, training, and evaluation. Residential education provides counseling, advising, mediation, and referral resources for all students in residence, as well as conducting diversity, education, and outreach initiatives.
Stacey Millard
learn more
Leadership of the Residential Life Area
In her role as Associate Dean of Residential Life, Stacey oversees the undergraduate residential program at Dartmouth which includes the following areas: Undergraduate Housing, Residential Education and the House Communities, and Greek Life.
Prior to coming to Dartmouth, Stacey worked in residential life at Colgate University, Le Moyne College, and St. Lawrence University. Stacey has a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Vermont, and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Educational Studies from St. Lawrence University.
Overview of the Division of Student Affairs
Mission
“Dartmouth College exists to prepare the most promising students for a lifetime of learning and of responsible leadership launched by a focus on intellectual and personal growth in a residential liberal arts community. Thus, student affairs fosters the integration of learning and student life, with a view toward students’ contributions to the world beyond Dartmouth. At Dartmouth, our goal is that the ways that students live, learn, and lead seamlessly intersect to create a community of learners and doers.
Whether through co-curricular innovations, advising and academic enhancement programs, student organizations, residential education, health and wellness programming, faith and cultural identity support, service, and professional development, or traditional college celebrations, student affairs seeks to empower all students to reach their full potential as critical thinkers who live, work, and serve in complex communities.
In partnership with students, faculty, staff, and alumni, we foster a learning environment that:
- Integrates intellectual, personal, and professional development into all students’ experiences.
- Constructively engages and strengthens our community.
- Critically examines values, beliefs, systems, and structures.
- Expects and assists students in holding themselves and each other accountable for a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and equitable.
- Embraces challenges as opportunities for growth and celebrates achievements.”
Scott C. Brown
learn more
Leadership of the Division of Student Affairs
Dean of the College Scott Brown is the senior officer responsible for academic and co-curricular life at Dartmouth. He oversees the division of student affairs, including student support services, health and wellness, community life and inclusivity, student life, and residential life.
Prior to coming to Dartmouth, Dean Brown served as interim associate vice president and dean of students at Northern Arizona University, vice president and dean of students at The College of Wooster, associate vice president and dean of students at Colgate University, director of the Daniel L. Jones Career Development Center at Mount Holyoke College, and as an area director in residential life at Dartmouth.
Dean Brown has been active in higher education through leadership involvement in state associations and national conventions, publications, and presentations on a wide range of topics, such as creating powerful learning environments, understanding complex issues of identity, and examining student affairs as a profession. His work has appeared in the American Journal of Sexuality Education, the International Journal of Aging and Human Development, the Journal of College Student Development, and the Journal of Colleges and Employers. A first-generation college student, he received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine, his master’s degree in education from Indiana University, and his doctorate from the University of Maryland.
Institutional Overview
Institutional History
Dartmouth’s root system weaves through many pivotal moments in the history of the United States. Founded in 1769, the College has shaped the education landscape and prepared generations of leaders to advance industries, societies, and cultures. Dartmouth’s founder, Eleazar Wheelock, a Congregational minister from Connecticut, established the College “for the education and instruction of youth of the Indian tribes in this land… English Youth, and any others.” Samson Occom, a Mohegan Indian and one of Wheelock’s first students, was instrumental in raising the funds necessary to found the College.
New Hampshire Governor John Wentworth provided the land on the banks of the Connecticut River that would become Dartmouth’s picturesque 269-acre campus. The setting gives Dartmouth a profound sense of place that has become one of its hallmarks. Its profound natural beauty was not lost on President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who remarked, “This is what a college should look like,” when he visited in 1953.
Dartmouth was the subject of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case in 1819 (Dartmouth College v. Woodward), in which the College prevailed against the State of New Hampshire, which sought to amend Dartmouth’s charter. The case is one of the most important and formative documents in United States constitutional history, paving the way for American private institutions to conduct their affairs in accordance with their charters without interference from the state. Politician, statesman, and Dartmouth alumnus Daniel Webster, Class of 1801, passionately argued for the original charter to be preserved. “It is … a small college,” he said, “and yet there are those who love it.”
During its first 200 years, Dartmouth did little to actualize its founding commitment to Native students. In 1970, Dartmouth reaffirmed its founding mission and two years later, established one of the first Native American programs in the country. Today, 200 Indigenous students—representing more than 70 different tribal nations and communities—attend the College. Dartmouth counts over 1,200 Native graduates among its alumni.
With a celebrated liberal arts curriculum and pioneering professional schools, Dartmouth has forged a singular identity, combining its deep commitment to outstanding undergraduate liberal arts and graduate education with distinguished research and scholarship. The College has been at the forefront of educational invention, continually identifying new methods of enhancing the impact of higher education such as the Rassias Method® for foreign language instruction. Now a worldwide phenomenon, the method was invented by Dartmouth Professor John Rassias in the 1960s.
Dartmouth’s groundbreaker DNA is also borne out in its professional schools: the Geisel School of Medicine, the nation’s fourth-oldest medical school; Thayer School of Engineering, one of the nation’s first professional schools of engineering; and the Tuck School of Business, the world’s first graduate school of management. Dartmouth is also the first school in the world to offer a graduate degree in health care delivery science.
In 2017, Dartmouth topped the Ivy League in Nature’s innovation index, awarded for the greatest number of scientific papers that lead to patents. And the College has been rated in the top 10 of all schools for undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report for the entire lifetime of the rankings-including several years at #1.
Diversity Statement
Diversity at all levels is critical to Dartmouth’s mission of providing an environment that combines rigorous study with the excitement of discovery. As an institution of higher education, Dartmouth is defined by the belief that a multiplicity of values and beliefs, interests and experiences, intellectual and cultural viewpoints enrich learning and inform scholarship.
Respect for the cultures that make Dartmouth a dynamic teaching, research, and service environment is a bedrock institutional value. Dartmouth’s office of institutional diversity & equity provides resources across the institution to promote access, respect, inclusiveness, and community in all of Dartmouth’s working and learning environments.
The Student Body
Total Enrollment: 7,204 (From Website)
Undergraduate: 4,905 (From Website)
Graduate: 2,299 (From Website)
Retention Rate: 98%
Sian Leah Beilock
testing
Institutional Leadership
Sian Leah Beilock is the 19th president of Dartmouth. She is the first woman to have been elected president of Dartmouth by the Board of Trustees and began her tenure on June 12, 2023.
Beilock previously served as the eighth president of Barnard College at Columbia University. One of the most selective academic institutions in the world, Barnard is devoted to empowering exceptional women to change the world and the way we think about it.
Beilock is one of the world’s leading experts on the brain science behind “choking under pressure” in business, education, and sports. In the last several years, her research has focused specifically on success in math and science for women and girls and on how performance anxiety can either be exacerbated or alleviated by teachers, parents, and peers.
Application and Nomination
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position please click on the Apply button, complete the brief application process, and upload your resume and position-specific cover letter.. Nominations for this position and questions about the status of the search may be emailed to Heather J. Larabee at hjl@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.
New Hampshire is a state that does not require public salary disclosure. For more information, please contact Heather J. Larabee.
Visit the Dartmouth College website at home.dartmouth.edu.
Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.