The Director of Student Affairs reports directly to the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs. The Director of Student Affairs will collaborate with the Director of Admissions and the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs to provide support for student activities, including overseeing student clubs, managing student activities and budgetary information, and working with students to provide referrals for counseling and community services. The Director actively participates in short- and long-term strategic planning for the department, and organizes, develops, documents, and implements best practices for the Student Affairs unit that comply with DU and COM policies and federal, state, and local regulations. The Director is responsible for continuous quality improvement of the department, manages data, supervises student affairs staff, and prepares statistical reports for self and others, in support of the goals of the COM and the University. The Director of Student Affairs provides direction in developing initiatives focused on student wellness, leadership, and community service endeavors.

As a condition of employment, Duquesne University requires all new employees —full-time and part-time, including adjunct faculty—to get a COVID-19 vaccine and provide proof of their vaccination upon commencement of employment.

New employees requesting a religious or documented medical exemption from the vaccine must complete and submit a Duquesne University exemption request form for review and approval. To receive the appropriate exemption request form, contact hrservices@duq.edu. Employees with approved exemptions will be required to be tested on a regular basis.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Participates in the strategic direction, and assists in maintaining, developing, and implementation of new programs and services that support or enhance the student academic experience at the COM in collaboration with academic affairs.

Plans, implements, and markets initiatives and events for students. Manages the day-to-day operations of the Student Affairs Office including all matters related to student services, disability services, compliance, and student activities.

Provides leadership, coaching, counseling and mentoring for Student Affairs staff, including responsibility for hiring, conducting performance reviews, and providing ongoing performance feedback.

Represents the COM as the student affairs representative at the university level, as appropriate.

Oversees budget management including participating in development of budgets, reporting, and monitoring for all units, Student Affairs, Student Clubs and Organizations, and other student support services.

Organizes open houses, accepted student days, and new student orientations. Oversees logistics and communications to students during the application, interview, and matriculation processes.

Advises student organization leaders on club activities, event management, and marketing; advises students interested in creating new student organizations.

Collaborates with faculty, academic advisors, and staff to identify students in need and provide services and resources to allow them to be successful.

Serves as intake officer for student complaints, gathers information from appropriate resources, investigates issues, makes recommendations and takes action across various levels of the organization to resolve a variety of problems, issues, and complaints.

Communicates with students, staff, and faculty on a regular basis through listservs, pre-matriculation emails, etc.

Determines student needs in partnership with COM leadership. Evaluates student needs through focus groups, annual student satisfaction surveys, and programming surveys to develop responsive programs.

Represents COM Student Affairs at numerous admissions and program events annually.

Is responsible for planning, participating in making key decisions, and providing oversight for the logistics for new student orientation, the White Coat ceremony, graduation, and other student or school related events.

Provides guidance and insight on content and message for the development of marketing pieces regarding student events and resources, in partnership with the Director of Admissions, the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs, and the DU Office of Marketing and Communications.

Completes other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum qualifications:

Master’s Degree from an accredited institution.

5 years of related work experience.

Supervisory work experience included.

Alternately, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

A deeply rooted commitment to diversity and inclusion at all levels as one of the school’s institutional values.

Inclusive relationship style, with the ability to foster partnerships, work collaboratively across boundaries and achieve performance and results through others towards clearly established goals.

A Strong sense of strategic, inclusive academic commitment linked to success in promoting change and driving organizational achievement, enhancing academic excellence and recognition, and fostering links to promote the school nationally

Knowledge and skill in student affairs administration.

Ability to work effectively with a diverse student population.

Strong verbal communication skills, including solid public speaking.

Strong written communication skills, including ability to draft original correspondence, reports, and procedures.

Ability to resolve disputes and complaints through mediation.

Knowledge of laws and regulations concerning student affairs and disability services areas.
Strong supervisory skills.

Knowledge of budget development and management.

Strong interpersonal skills.

Ability to juggle multiple tasks or priorities at one time.

General knowledge of effective marketing.

Sound technical skills including ability to work with data bases, conduct internet research and work with Microsoft Office Suite products.

Commitment to the University’s values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and recognition of the importance of treating each individual with dignity and respect consistent with the University’s Mission. Demonstrated experience with, and understanding of, the broad diversity of the University community (students, faculty, staff and others).

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.

Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University. The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Catholic in its mission and ecumenical in spirit, Duquesne University values equality of opportunity as an educational institution and as an employer. We aspire to attract and sustain a diverse faculty and staff that reflects contemporary society, serves our academic goals and enriches our campus community. We particularly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups and support dual-career couples through our charter membership in this region's HERC (http://www.hercjobs.org/oh-western-pa-wv/).

We invite applicants for this position to learn more about our university and its Spiritan heritage by visiting http://www.duq.edu/about/mission-and-identity/mission-statement. Those invited to campus for an interview may be asked about ways in which they see their talents contributing to the continued growth of our community and furthering its mission.

Duquesne University was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community, the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. Duquesne University is Catholic in mission and ecumenical in spirit. Motivated by its Catholic identity, Duquesne values equality of opportunity both as an educational institution and as an employer.