The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) is in pursuit of exceptional candidates for the position of Dean of Students. Positioned between Minneapolis, MN, and Madison, WI, along the majestic Mississippi River in the midst of grand bluffs and breathtaking outdoor scenery, lies La Crosse, a vibrant community with an historic downtown.

 

The Dean of Students (DOS), reporting to the Vice Chancellor, will have responsibility for programs and services that support student success, which will help develop responsible, contributing members of the campus and broader community. The DOS oversees the Office of Student Life including, Student Conduct, Title IX, First Year Experience, Violence and Prevention, Wellness, and Academic Support Case Managers.

 

The DOS, is the primary conduct officer, works collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to identify and respond to alleged misconduct, interpret policies and procedures, adjudicate cases, and discuss options and consequences of various decisions. The Dean of Students specializes in a student-centered, developmental approach to supporting student success.

 

The DOS serves as a trained Civil Rights investigator for Title IX cases. During these investigations, the Dean of Students is responsible for overseeing and/or conducting a timely and thorough investigation of the complaint, interviewing the complainant, respondent, and witnesses, preparing evidentiary reports, compiling supporting documentation and case records, identifying potential violations of university polices and drafting recommendations for sanctions in accordance with UWS/UWSP Chapter 17 and 18. Additionally, the Dean of Students will assist with compliance, education, and training regarding Title IX, the Jeanne Clery Act, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Campus SaVE Act, and UWS requirements.

 

The DOS will collaborate with the necessary offices, including Residence Life, University Police, La Crosse Police Department, La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office, La Crosse County District Attorney’s Office, and UW System Legal in support of student success. The Dean of Students serves as the chair of the Campus Assessment Response and Evaluation (CARE) Team and will support office-wide outreach opportunities such as orientation and bystander intervention programming.

 

Partnering with the university and community, our Division promotes an environment of mutual respect and integrity, and supports institutional initiatives for enrollment management, retention, and student success. The Dean of Students will actively participate in campus-community relationships and collaborate with community constituents to maintain productive alliances. The success of this position depends on your outstanding communication skills and the ability to be responsive and transparent with our students, families, staff, faculty, and the community.

 

The Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs at UWL is distinctive in its passionate, dedicated, and knowledgeable staff that have a deep commitment to provide programs and services which promote inclusivity, transformative learning, leadership, engagement, and service. The staff of the Division is truly student-centered and invested in the holistic development of our students.

 

Our division includes the Campus Child Center, Counseling and Testing, Intercollegiate Athletics, Recreational Sports, Residence Life, Student Health Center, Student Life, University Centers, and the Vice Chancellor & Dean of Students office.

 

More than just an administrative title, this leadership position will provide an opportunity for you to have a tremendous impact on the lives of college students and shape the future of our institution.  We look forward to growing Stronger Together with you.

 

Required qualifications include:

               

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Student Affairs, College Student Personnel, Social Work, Higher Education Administration or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of full time experience in higher education to include three (3) years of direct experience working with a campus conduct program and investigation of alleged violations of policy.
• Experience in crisis intervention and successful conflict resolution involving students, faculty, staff, community partners, and parents/families.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusivity.
• Strong oral, written, and presentation skills.
• Experience supervising professional staff, student staff and graduate students
• Experience overseeing complex budgets.

 

Preferred qualifications include:

 

• Ed. D., Ph. D. or Juris Doctor (JD) and at least four years professional experience conducting investigations related to sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, and/or gender-related violence in a higher-education setting.
• Collaborative leadership style to work collegially with students, faculty, staff, and community partners.
• Direct experience with compliance requirements on the state and national level to include, but not limited to: Title IX, the Jeanne Clery Act, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Campus SaVE Act.
• Experience adjudicating student conduct cases
• An ability to synthesize information regarding complex student issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to students’ personal and academic development.
• Experience working with students of concern or behavioral intervention/at-risk teams.
• Knowledge of higher education legal issues pertaining to student conduct administration.
• Commitment to transformative undergraduate educational experience.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills.

 

Please address all inquiries and materials to Antoiwana Williams, Search and Screen Chair at 608-785-8833

 

Complete application packets will include:

• A letter of application that indicates interest in and qualification for the position.
• A curriculum vitae.
• The names and contact information (telephone number and email address) for three professional references, including your relationship with those references.

 

Official transcripts will be required at point of hire. Review of applications will begin on June 4, 2018.  The position will remain open until filled.

 

Note: Electronic submission of application materials is required.  For additional information about this position and to apply, please visit https://employment.uwlax.edu/

 

Please contact the Search and Screen Chair if you have a special need/accommodation to aid your participation in our hiring process.

 

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW-La Crosse) provides a challenging, dynamic, and diverse learning environment in which the entire university community is fully engaged in supporting student success. Grounded in the liberal arts, UW-La Crosse fosters curiosity and life-long learning through collaboration, innovation, and the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge. Acknowledging and respecting the contributions of all, UW-La Crosse is a regional academic and cultural center that prepares students to take their place in a constantly changing world community.

 

UW-La Crosse's diversity and inclusion efforts are guided by our adherence to Inclusive Excellence.  We define Inclusive Excellence as “... our active, intentional and ongoing commitment to bridge differences with understanding and respect so all can thrive."   The goals of Inclusive Excellence are to increase the retention of diverse faculty, staff and students while encouraging a campus climate that is inviting and welcoming to all.   UW-La Crosse strives to promote acceptance of all facets of diversity from racial/ethnic diversity to diversity of thought and experience.  UW-La Crosse is a 2014 recipient of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. UW-La Crosse is proud to be one of only 83 recipients of this national honor recognizing our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

 

UW-La Crosse has appeared prominently on the U.S. News & World Report list of “America’s Best Colleges” for more than a decade and is ranked consistently as one of the top institutions in the Midwest.  With a student population of roughly 10,500, the university offers 91 undergraduate programs in at least 30 disciplines and 25 graduate programs in three colleges: Liberal Studies, Science and Health, and Business Administration, including the School of Arts & Communication and the School of Education.  There are 502 full-time faculty and instructional academic staff, 76 percent of whom hold terminal degrees.  UW-La Crosse boasts a retention rate (freshmen returning as sophomores) of 86 percent, graduation rate (degree within six years) of 70 percent, and is among only 12 institutions cited nationally by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities for its success in linking campus culture and university leadership to outstanding graduation rates.

 

The UW-La Crosse campus is nestled in a residential area of the City of La Crosse (pop. 52,000) located in western Wisconsin.  The area, known as the 7 Rivers Region, is famous for its exceptional natural beauty which includes the Mississippi River on one side, majestic bluffs on the other, and views of rolling farmland and forested valleys in between.  Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top ten “Best Places to Live” in 2009, La Crosse is one of the most scenic places in mid-America.  Abundant water, woodlands and varying terrain provide ample opportunities for year-round outdoor recreation.  Only a couple of hours from Minneapolis or Madison, La Crosse enjoys the affordability and charm of small town living with larger city benefits.  Three colleges, two world-class medical institutions, the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, a restored nineteenth century downtown business district, and a number of galleries and art centers have made La Crosse a regional center for culture, entertainment, medical care, shopping, sports and recreation. 

 

UW-La Crosse is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and we encourage applications from persons with varied backgrounds and perspectives.  In support of the Wisconsin Veteran Employment Initiative we encourage veterans and veterans with disabilities to explore employment opportunities at UW-La Crosse. 

As a prospective UW-La Crosse employee, you have a right to obtain a copy of campus safety and security information (Clery Act) for this institution. You may review this information at http://www.uwlax.edu/Police/Clery-report/.

Employment will require a criminal background check.  A pending criminal charge or conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, UW-La Crosse does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.