Assistant Dean for Student Experience and Community Building

University of Rhode Island

$80K — $90K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in education, leadership, counseling, or related field.
  • Minimum 5 years of professional experience with students.
  • Proven dedication to fostering student belonging.
  • Experience in program development and facilitation.
  • Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders effectively.
  • Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills.
  • Proficiency in written communication.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement initiatives to foster belonging and community among students.
  • Plan and execute college-wide events to enhance student experience.
  • Build partnerships with campus offices to coordinate student experience initiatives.
  • Collaborate with student organizations for engagement and community-building efforts.
  • Lead development of peer mentoring and student ambassador programs.
  • Identify barriers to student retention and implement solutions with campus partners.
  • Support communication strategies for enhancing student experience.

Benefits

  • Full-time, permanent position.
  • Opportunity to impact student success and community building initiatives.
  • Engagement with diverse student populations.
  • Collaboration with various campus offices and community stakeholders.
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Position Information

Posting Number
SF02213

Job Title
Assistant Dean for Student Experience and Community Building

Position Number
108669

FTE
1.00

FLSA
Exempt

Position Type
Professional Staff

Union
PSA/NEA - Professional Staff Assoc

Pay Grade Level
Grade Level: 14

Pay Grade Range
Salary Hiring Range: $80,000 - $90,000

Status
Calendar Year, Full-time, Permanent

Department Information

Department
Dean Health Sciences

Contact(s)

Please note: Job applications must be submitted directly online only at: (https://jobs.uri.edu)

Contact Phone/Extension

Contact Email

Physical Demands

Campus Location
Kingston

Grant Funded
No

Extension Contingency Notes

Job Description Summary

Search will be open until filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by
10/28/2026. Applications received after 10/28/2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant Dean of Student Experience and Community Building will work closely with the college leadership, faculty and students, as well as campus partners to develop and implement strategies to enhance the student experience from recruitment through graduation, including supporting admissions efforts and creating community-building opportunities. The Assistant Dean works closely with the CHS student services leadership and staff on joint projects, events, and strategies that promote student success and support an inclusive, student-centered environment. While the major focus will be on student experience, the Assistant Dean will support the planning and implementation of events, communication strategies and other community building activities that foster a college wide sense of belonging, engagement and community among faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Duties and Responsibilities

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop, implement, and assess initiatives that foster a sense of belonging, engagement, and community among students.

Plan and execute college-wide events and programs that enhance the student experience.

Build and maintain partnerships with campus offices such as Student Affairs, New
Student Transitions, Office of Community, Equity and Diversity, Residential Life, and the Fannon Institute for Student Success, to coordinate initiatives that enhance the overall student experience.

Collaborate with student organizations and leaders to support involvement, leadership development, and community-building efforts.

Lead and oversee the development of peer mentoring and student ambassador programs
for the college.

Develop and contribute to co-curricular strategies that support yield and sustained engagement from pre-matriculation through graduation.

Identify barriers to student retention and collaborate with campus partners to implement proactive, student-centered solutions.

Serve as a resource for faculty regarding student engagement and sense of belonging.

Collaborate with CHS Student Services on student success and student support initiatives.

Lead or support programming that enhances the student journey and contributes to a positive, inclusive learning environment.

Coordinate with faculty and staff to support engagement opportunities such as workshops, events, and co-curricular experiences.

Serve on committees, working groups, and initiatives related to student experience, belonging,
and success.

Work closely with the Office of Community, Equity and Diversity (CED) and other university entities to help cultivate an environment that fosters an inclusive people-centered culture at the
University of Rhode Island.

Serve on University Diversity Council (UDC). Share best practices across academic and administrative units. Evaluate collective progress toward Focus URI KPIs. Coordinate community building activities to increase impact and eliminate silos.

Help plan and implement communication strategies to enhance student experience and community building.

Work with the college leadership to develop strategic direction for student experience and community building initiatives across the College of Health Sciences.

Provide strategic leadership for college-wide events and signature programs that enhance visibility, strengthen community, and support recruitment, yield, and retention goals.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

When appropriate, teach First-Year seminar as assigned.

Participate in college committees.

Represent the College in university-wide meetings and with external partners

Perform other duties as assigned.

LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:

Personal computers, printers, and relevant programs and software.

Required Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED:


1. Master's degree in education, leadership, counseling, college student personnel or related field.

2. Minimum of five years working in a professional capacity with undergraduate and/or graduate students.

3. Demonstrated experience and dedication to enhancing student belonging.

4. Demonstrated experience in program development and facilitation.

5. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with decision makers and stakeholders at multiple levels.

6. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.

7. Demonstrated strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.

8. Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

PREFERRED:1. Demonstrated experience with identifying and mitigating issues and barriers associated with student success.

2. Demonstrated knowledge of program evaluation and assessment.

3. Demonstrated working knowledge of scholarly research and/or best practices regarding issues related to institutional access and community building.

4. Demonstrated experience with communication strategies such as newsletters, website and social media.

Environmental Conditions

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Work evenings and weekends as necessary.

Posting Date
09/18/2026

Closing Date

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please attach the following 3 (PDF) documents to your online Employment Application:

(#1) Cover letter.

(#2) Curriculum Vitae.

(#3) Other Document - diversity statement.

Note: References will be upon request by the search committee.

Quicklink for Posting
https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/17069

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