Salary: $120,000.00 - $130,000.00 Annually
Location : Mount Vernon Campus, Mount Vernon, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Job Number: E26-023
Department: Student Services
Opening Date: 10/12/2026
Position Summary The Opportunity: The Executive Dean of Advising and Student Success provides high-level leadership for advising and retention efforts and programs at Skagit Valley College. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Student Services, this position is responsible for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of comprehensive integrated advising and retention practices and supports that advance student success at SVC.
The position provides executive-level collaborative efforts to align practices with institutional priorities, evidence-based student success frameworks, and data-informed decision-making to improve the student experience and student success outcomes.
The Executive Dean of Advising and Student Success oversees student-focused departments and support programs providing advising and retention efforts that support student success, including the Counseling and Advising Center, TRiO, Disability Access Services, Maestros del Pueblo, Cardinal Achievement Program, and the Diversity Center.
This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position working 40 hours per week, 12 months a year. This position works on-site at the Mount Vernon Campus in Washington.
Duties and ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership, Administration and Planning- Provide executive-level leadership for SVC's comprehensive advising and retention practices and programs to effectively support student onboarding, progress, persistence, and completion, ensuring alignment with SVC's Strategic Plan and student success initiatives;
- Develop and implement a vision and framework for a college-advising model, including strategies that improve first-quarter enrollment, retention, persistence, graduation, transfer, and career readiness, and overall student success;
- Collaborate with Academic Affairs to design, implement, and regularly evaluate a faculty advising model;
- Lead, design, implement, and manage comprehensive training programs and initiatives to promote best practices in new student onboarding, advising, retention, and support strategies that advance student success and organizational effectiveness;
- Utilize institutional data, assessment findings, and emerging trends to inform strategic decision-making and establish priorities;
- Provide leadership and supervision of Faculty Counselors, Academic Advisors, and program staff, TRiO Director, Diversity & Inclusion Director, and Disability Access Services Director, including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, evaluation, and professional development, while fostering accountability, collaboration, innovation, and professional growth;
- Collaborate with the Counseling Faculty Department Chair to ensure coordinated delivery of career and transfer guidance, college success skills, coping strategies, personal/crisis support, and referrals to external services;
- Collaborate with Student Services Deans and Directors, ensuring seamless student transitions from entry through completion;
- Lead, design, implement, and manage comprehensive training programs and initiatives to promote best practices in new student onboarding, advising, retention, and support strategies that advance student success and organizational effectiveness;
- Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with campus departments, K-12 partners, and community organizations that support student success;
- Serve on Student Services Leadership Team, college committees, and task forces.
- Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with campus departments, K-12 partners, and community organizations that support student success;
- Ensure compliance with applicable SVC policies, state and federal regulations, accreditation standards, and college procedures;
- Lead or participate in college-wide initiatives, special projects, and strategic priorities as assigned by the Vice President;
- Represent SVC through presentations, conferences, professional associations, and community events to promote institutional priorities and share best practices in advising and student success;
- Serve as a Program Owner for EAB Navigate to support implementation and effective use of student support tools (e.g., Early Alert, tracking, reporting, etc.).
Data-Driven Planning and Assessment- Collaborate with Institutional Research, predictive analytics, assessment data, and performance metrics to identify trends, evaluate program effectiveness, and recommend evidence-based improvements;
- Identify institutional barriers affecting student success and collaborate with campus leadership to develop sustainable solutions that improve the student experience;
- Promote equitable student outcomes through initiatives that support historically underserved student populations;
- Ensure assigned departments utilize assessment, program review, and continuous improvement practices to measure advising effectiveness and demonstrate student success outcomes.
Budget Management- Develop, oversee, manage, and monitor Counseling and Advising Center budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility, compliance with state, federal, and institutional policies, and alignment with college strategic priorities;
- Support department directors in developing, monitoring, and maintaining fiscally responsible budgets and grants that align with college strategic priorities.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications:- Master's degree in Higher Education, Education, Leadership, Management, Student Development, or related field;
- At least five (5) years of progressive administrative leadership experience in higher education, including responsibility for leading complex student success or advising operations and managing programs that span multiple departments or functional areas;
- At least three (3) years of demonstrated experience advancing student success at scale, with expertise in one or more of the following: holistic or appreciative advising models; career and academic counseling; transfer pathways and articulations; student development and retention strategies; TRiO; Disability Services; and Equity & Inclusion;
- At least three (3) years of supervisory experience of full-time professional staff and/or faculty;
- Experience using data, assessment, and student success technologies to improve persistence and completion outcomes;
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience with Guided Pathways or other student success models, theoretical frameworks, and research-based outcomes;
- Experience leading college-wide advising or retention initiatives;
- Experience using PeopleSoft/ctcLink, EAB Navigate360, Starfish, or other student management or student success technology tools;
- Multilingual in English and Spanish.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:- Ability to independently manage multiple high-level initiatives with competing priorities and time-sensitive deadlines;
- Demonstrated expertise in program administration, assessment, and improvement within higher education, particularly in student development and support services;
- Effective budget management skills and experience with fiscal oversight, resource allocation, and grant or external funding stewardship;
- Proficiency in leveraging student information systems, assessment platforms, and technology to enhance operational efficiency and student outcomes;
- Skilled in developing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including K-12 districts, community organizations, and higher education institutions;
- Ability to effectively lead, motivate, and develop a team in a fast-paced, evolving environment that values continuous learning and professional development;
- Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
- Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, and productive work environment;
- Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner;
- Ability to interpret, communicate, and apply policies and procedures.
Salary, Benefits, Conditions of Employment, Application Procedure, About SVC Salary and Benefits:- Annual salary rate for this twelve-month, 100% of full-time position is $120,000 - $130,000 annually, depending on experience;
- Contracts are written annually for the period of July 1 to June 30. This position will be filled as soon practical after a candidate is identified, and the salary will be pro-rated for the remaining contract period.
- This position is exempt from civil service. This position is eligible for overtime.
- Salary, retirement, medical, and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations and may be subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates. Additional information on benefits can be found at
Application Deadline: Priority screening will begin after
November 1, 2026. Applications received on or before this date will receive first consideration. Applications received after the screening date may be considered until the position is filled.
Please be aware that the College hiring authorities reserve the right to hire one or more candidates and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted.
Priority Screening Date: November 1, 2026Interviews with Committee: TBDFinalist Interviews: TBDAnticipated Start Date: January 4, 2027Application Procedure:To be considered for this position, applicants must:
- Meet the minimum qualifications and;
- Submit a complete application to the online recruitment system at that includes the following:
- The online application, which includes answers to all supplemental questions and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;
- A current resume; (Attachment: Resume);
- A letter of interest addressing the minimum, desired qualifications, and your education and experience as it supports the responsibilities of this position; (Attachment: Cover Letter).
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