Batalden Assistant Dean of Student Success and Belonging

Summary of Position The Batalden Assistant Dean of Student Success and Belonging is responsible for creating and implementing programs, strategies, and initiatives to enhance the academic, social, and emotional well-being and the overall experience for undergraduate students through a framework of “belonging without othering.” Centering the student experience lens on belonging without othering as the primary approach for student success will be ground-breaking within higher education and further Augsburg’s national reputation as a leader in supporting students historically marginalized within higher education.This framework centers the focus of student success efforts on four key support areas: inclusion, connectedness to peers and others, sense of visibility to others including the greater institution, and agency. This position will lead stakeholders as they develop a comprehensive, systematic approach to student success based in building belonging without othering across campus. The Batalden Assistant Dean of Student Success and Belonging will then deliver and implement a shared action plan that ensures Augsburg fulfills its promise that all our students find belonging and concomitant post-graduate success.The Batalden Assistant Dean for Student Success and Belonging will serve as the university leader for student success through intentional efforts of belonging without othering. The position will champion a holistic and cross-functional commitment to belonging without othering as the pathway to student success. The position will lead Augsburg in integrating existing opportunities, identifying areas for growth, and building support resources that meet students where they are and fill the gaps. Partnering with various offices, departments, and individuals across campus will be critical to the success of this role, including the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Assistant Provost and Dean of Students, Associate Dean for Student Success, and Assistant Dean for Persistence and Graduation.Essential to ensuring that we live up to the promise of an Augsburg education, this leader will put Augsburg at the forefront of higher education once more as we push the foundational importance of belonging without othering for student success.The Batalden Assistant Dean of Student Success and Belonging position is generously funded by Paul and LaVonne Batalden (‘63).Primary ResponsibilitiesFacilitate the alignment of curricular and cocurricular programming for first-year students in collaboration with Assistant Dean for Persistence and Graduation, Director of General Education, and Director of Augsburg Seminar by utilizing and creating best practices for first-generation college students.Lead strategies to advance a sense of belonging and success for first generation college students, including the planning and implementation of First Generation Week in collaboration with other departments.Provide mentorship opportunities for undergraduate students through establishing new and connecting already-existing on-campus programs (e.g., Strommen Center for Meaningful Work, Multicultural Life, Campus Life, Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity Program, TRIO-SSS, and TRIO-McNair) through a framework of “belonging without othering”.Develop programming designed to improve belonging among the commuter student population, including assessing structural changes to programming, services, and spaces on campus.Foster academic belonging in University schools through the development, implementation, and support for current and future Living Learning Communities in the residence halls.Facilitate the recognition of milestones in student success, including Major Declaration Day and other programs honoring academic progress and research.Participate on and consult with University committees, including but not limited to Joint Committee on Student Success, Student Care Team, and University Council Committee on Equity and Inclusion.Collaborate with the Office for Institutional Research and Effectiveness on data collection, analysis, and reporting; collecting student feedback to improve the student experience and increase retention and graduation rates.Supervision of University staff members whose responsibilities directly impact student success and belonging.Oversight and management of budgets, including special project funds.Additional ResponsibilitiesConvene and help support groups of staff, faculty, and administration around student belonging programs, strategies, and initiatives as necessary.All other duties as apparent or assigned by supervisor(s).Work Environment and Physical DemandsTypical work environment is an office. Sedentary work for long periods of time. Regular computer and phone use.