The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC), a comprehensive regional public university with a reputation for academic excellence and fostering undergraduate research, invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of Students.

Reporting to the Chancellor, the Dean of Students provides leadership in Student Affairs to sustain a positive student experience. The Dean determines policies and practices that promote a safe environment for students, including overseeing and responding to student behavioral issues. The Dean directs outreach and support to students and their families. The Dean of Students makes a significant impact at UW-Eau Claire by communicating with students and colleagues to promote student success and development.

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative and dynamic leader with experience in higher education, student growth and wellbeing, community engagement, and advocacy. The successful candidate will have demonstrated skill in navigating administrative structures at a comprehensive university such as UW-Eau Claire.

For more information regarding the position, UW-Eau Claire and the Eau Claire community, please view this video message from Chancellor James C. Schmidt:

University and the Eau Claire Community

Consistently ranked among the top 10 public Midwestern universities, UW-Eau Claire is home to 10,000 students, who are drawn to Wisconsin’s most beautiful campus. Innovation, collaboration, leadership, diversity and inclusion, and sustainable stewardship are core values at UW-Eau Claire. About 90% of students participate in at least one high-impact practice such as student-faculty research. UWEC students undertake more than 100,000 hours of community service each academic year. UW-Eau Claire has approximately 1,300 faculty and staff, with a faculty/student ratio of 1:19. There are nearly 100,000 UW-Eau Claire alumni living across the United States and around the world.

Groundbreaking community partnerships in manufacturing, business, health care and the cultural arts produce myriad opportunities for faculty scholarship, community supported/creative activities and student internships. UW-Eau Claire is one of the only universities in the world to have a master collaborative research agreement with Mayo Clinic Health System. Eau Claire is western Wisconsin’s largest city, home to nearly 70,000 residents who live, work and play in the area situated at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers. The Eau Claire metropolitan area of approximately 173,000 people is 90 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Eau Claire is known for its beautiful parks and trails, small-town neighborhoods, excellent schools, vibrant arts scene, diverse local food culture, and abundant recreational opportunities. UW-Eau Claire’s campus is within walking distance of two popular shopping districts that feature coffee shops, art galleries and live music venues.

Detailed Position Description

Core Responsibilities for the Dean of Students

• Supervises
  • Dean of Students professional and office staff
  • Activities, Involvement and Leadership
  • Counseling Services
  • Student Health Services
  • National Student Exchange Program
  • Campus Harvest Food Pantry and Campus Closet
• Coordinates administration of the Wisconsin Administrative Rules UWS 14 - Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures and UWS 17 - Student Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures.
• Manages student emergencies.
• Serves as University liaison to and provides campus oversight for the Center for the Awareness of Sexual Assault.
• Serves as advisor for Student Government.
• Provides leadership, budgetary oversight and supervision, performance management and creation of a student-centered professional environment.
• Serves as a member of the Chancellor’s Executive Staff.
• Represents the University and effectively communicates with faculty, students, community members and media on areas related to student life and conduct.
• Displays an appreciation of UW-Eau Claire’s mission of excellence and inclusion, and an ability to communicate what makes the institution distinctive.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Ability to make decisions and effectively solve problems.
• Demonstrated experience in a higher education leadership role.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with diverse individuals and constituencies.
• Highly organized, meticulous, fiscally prudent.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing a culture of academic excellence, equity, diversity and inclusion in a manner consistent with the University’s mission.

Application Process

Review of nominations and applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled with a priority date of February 29, 2024.  All inquiries and nominations/referrals should be sent electronically and in confidence to:

Teresa O’Halloran: ohallote@uwec.edu

Applications must be submitted electronically through the campus website: Dean of Students

Applications should include a resume and a letter of interest as well as the names and contact information of three professional references. 

The University reserves the right to contact additional references with notice given to the candidates at an appropriate time in the process. Employment will require a background check. Employment will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding past conduct related to sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released upon request. See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7).

The UW-Eau Claire Police Department is dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for learning and working. Although crime at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is limited, the University Police wants students, faculty and staff to be aware of crime on campus and the area surrounding the campus. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose annual information about campus crime. Visit Campus Security and Fire Report. Also visit our Campus Security Authority policy.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.