Career and Education

Senior Associate Dean of Students

Student and Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellness, social justice, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

The Office of the Dean of Students (DOS) cultivates the holistic growth and development of students through advocacy, empowerment, and education. We enhance the student experience by offering comprehensive support and resources, providing co-curricular opportunities, and fostering a sense of belonging.

The Centers for Equity, Empowerment, and Belonging are comprised of resource centers, empowerment units, and affinity groups within the Office of the Dean of Students to support the holistic development of the student experience by creating engagement opportunities, support services, and initiatives focused on student equity, belonging, and inclusion. Through transformational learning in the co-curricular experience, we strive to foster a greater sense of belonging, empowerment, and emotional intelligence, and help students thrive. The area is comprised of identity-based centers and offices that support and empower students from historically marginalized backgrounds while also providing all Cornell community members with opportunities to deepen their understanding of racial justice and equity, expand their allyship skills, engage in dialogue across differences, and be a part of the movement for positive social change.

The Senior Associate Dean of Students reports to the Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students and serves as a member of the Dean's leadership team. The Sr. Associate Dean is responsible for the collaborative development, management, and evaluation of the eight (8) Centers for Equity, Empowerment, and Belonging comprised, including Asian and Asian-American, LGBT, and Gender Equity Resource Centers, and Black Student Empowerment, First Generation & Low-Income Student Support, Latinx Student Empowerment, Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making, Undocumented & DACA Student Support Offices within the Division of Student & Campus Life on Cornell University's campus of 24,000 students. The position leads strategic priorities, initiatives, and services to enhance campus-wide co-curricular equity and belonging. This includes student identity-conscious advocacy and mentorship, programming, and leadership development opportunities, basic need resources and initiatives, the Kessler Scholars program, the university-wide student bias assessment team, and the management of multiple facilities. In this work, the Sr. Associate Dean works collaboratively with campus partners (Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives, University Student Service Leaders, and others) to broaden advocacy and support for all students. Additionally, this position leads alumni and development efforts for the area, including alumni relationship building, attending events, fundraising, and stewardship.

This role also co-chairs the student Bias Assessment and Review Team (BART), supports crisis management, serves as the acting Dean of Students as needed, and leads projects as determined by the Dean. The Sr. Associate Dean oversees all staff hiring, supervision, and ongoing development for a team of 17 full-time employees (8 direct reports) and several student workers.

Please note: WittKieffer is assisting Cornell University in this search; please review candidacy process below for full details. The anticipated salary range for this position is $130,000 -$ 140,000, depending upon experience.

This position is an in-person role but can work remotely for up to six (6) months to support relocation needs. The position may need occasionally travel to campus during relocation period for team support and high-level meetings. There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

Success Factors

• An ability to cultivate and lead a diverse team dedicated to the holistic development of students.
• Demonstrated success developing student diversity, equity, and belonging initiatives, programs, and services grounded in national best practices, and identity-conscious advocacy and support,
• A commitment to working collaboratively in a student-centered environment committed to the important values of shared governance, with enthusiasm for and demonstrated commitment to supporting a student body that is broadly diverse with regard to gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion, among other factors.
• An ability to build relationships and maintain trust, to assess and balance the needs of various stakeholders, and to identify and advocate for achievable solutions.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, planning, reasoning, organizational, and project management skills, with an ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree and a minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in student affairs and higher education with five (5) direct years of experience working with belonging, equity, diversity, and inclusion programming and initiatives.
• Experience creating programs, workshops, and trainings related to belonging, equality, and inclusion.
• Extensive knowledge of student development theory, student activism, and student affairs trends in higher education related to diversity, equity, and belonging.
• Experience supervising professional staff members.
• Demonstrated success building collaborative partnerships with faculty, administrators, students, parents/families, community partners, and alumni.
• Familiarity with different assessment methodologies and applications in strategic planning.
• Ability to serve on-call and respond to crisis situations according to organizational protocol, including evening and weekend work as required.
• Ability to occasionally work nights and weekends (i.e., programming, training, workshops, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ten (10) years of experience and an advanced degree in a relevant discipline.
• Experience serving or working on a student Bias Assessment Team.
• Experience working in a complex organizational setting.
• Experience with crisis management and case management of students navigating difficult situations.
• Experience developing and implementing building assessment strategies and utilizing outcomes to inform organizational change.
• Experience serving in an Assistant/Associate Dean of Students role or managing multiple functional areas in student affairs.

Procedure for Candidacy

WittKieffer is assisting Cornell University in this search, which will remain open until an appointment is made. All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

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Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

Union Positions

Current Employees:

Online Submission Guidelines:

Employment Assistance:

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application.

Notice to Applicants:

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.