Job Details

Dean of Students

Missouri Western State University invites applications and nominations for the position, Dean of Students. This vital role requires an attentive, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and highly collaborative leader to oversee the student affairs division. Reporting directly to the Vice President, the Dean of Students serves as an advocate for students, cultivates a culture of learning, engagement, and responsible citizenship, and creates a dynamic student experience. The Dean upholds and adjudicates the policies and standards for students during their enrollment at the University.

The successful candidate for the Dean of Students role will be an experienced, student-centered, and energetic leader who embraces forward-thinking strategies to anticipate students' needs and support their wellbeing. The Dean of Students will bring a passion for working with students and thrive in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.

Essential duties include providing direction, supervision, and leadership of the student affairs division; developing collaborative relationships with campus administrative areas, faculty, and campus community leaders to enhance planning and implement strategic initiatives, resolving issues, improving satisfaction, and communicating student successes; promoting student success, retention, and graduation by applying student development theories and learning outcomes in coordination with vibrant student activities and engagement programs; fostering an inclusive community and promoting equity for all students; overseeing outreach to diverse student populations to support goals and sense of belonging; providing direction and intervention for students in crisis and non-crisis; coordinating response to crisis incidents and other unusual events impacting students within the community; serving as chair of the Campus Assessment Response and Evaluation (CARE) team; responsible for and upholding student conduct; working in collaboration with the University General Counsel and University Chief of Police; providing leadership and guidance in analysis, review, creation, and interpretation of student policies and procedures; supporting the goals of the University's mission, vision, and participating in strategic planning initiatives; and performing other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include knowledge of workings of university structure, policies, and procedures; leadership, supervision, planning, and organization skills including team building, strategic planning, and continuous quality improvement; effective communication skills; ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies across the University and the community; ability to operate independently and collaboratively with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders; strong time management skills; ability to handle multiple tasks with accuracy while adhering to tight deadlines; proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and Outlook) and Google Workspace tools.

About Missouri Western State University: Designated as the State of Missouri's applied learning institution, Missouri Western State University is a public open-access institution located in St. Joseph, Missouri, on a beautiful 744-acre campus approximately 35 minutes north of the Kansas City International Airport. With 4,000 plus graduate and undergraduate students and over 29,000 alumni, Missouri Western is designated as a First-Gen Forward campus dedicated to academic innovation, regional and community partnerships, and a student-centered experience. Missouri Western State University is an active participant in the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of the people and region it serves, and the campus' distinctive focus on applied learning and research is a hallmark of its innovative teaching and learning environment. Missouri Western is an equal opportunity education institution.

Required qualifications include a Bachelor's degree, five to seven years of related experience in student affairs or mentorship within an educational setting, and a valid driver's license.

Preferred qualifications include an advanced degree (Masters, Ed.D or Ph.D) in a related field, such as education, counseling, and ten years of progressively responsible leadership in a higher education environment or related field.

Physical demands include light work: exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

FLSA - Exempt.

Additional demands include regular night and weekend work. Hours of work are M-F 8:00am-4:30pm.

Posting number is S812P. Open date is 01/16/2026. Priority deadline is 03/01/2026. Open until filled - Yes.

Required documents to apply include a resume, cover letter, transcripts (unofficial), and professional references (3-5 with contact information). Optional documents are not required.