Rank: Administrator VII
Search Number: S23-23
Job Posted: September 29, 2023

Southern Connecticut State University is a diverse and student-centered university dedicated to academic excellence, access, and service for the public good. Southern provides a supportive and welcoming environment for all members of its community through a campus wide commitment to social justice.  Founded as a teacher’s college in 1893, Southern has evolved over the past century into a comprehensive public university of more than 10,000 students, offering graduate and undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and professional disciplines. It is one of four universities in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System. The University is located in New Haven, a city rich with arts and culture, and less than 90 miles from New York City and 140 miles from Boston.

The Associate Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies is a core member of the School leadership team and helps provide vision, direction, and coordination for SGPS programs, initiatives, and policies. The Associate Dean will report directly to the SGPS Dean and is responsible for maintenance and development of contacts and partnerships with appropriate universities, research institutions, community partners, and funding organizations relevant to the school’s graduate programs (credit and non-credit), as well as being knowledgeable in current and projected professional trends and requirements.

The Associate Dean is responsible for assisting with a variety of strategic and operational directives to support existing and future programs, including graduate degrees, credit-bearing certificates, as well as dual degrees and completion programs. This position assists with the oversight of current functional units within the School and fosters collaboration across academic units and service departments on campus. The Associate Dean will help maintain positive communication channels with all SCSU departments to support collaborative endeavors and successful recommendations of operational transactions. Additionally, this position will retain responsibility for planning, budgeting, and promoting the University’s intersession and summer session course offerings in collaboration with the Offices of Enrollment Management, Public Affairs, and Student Affairs. This position is an integral part of the School’s executive team, working closely with the Dean, Associate and Assistant Deans, departmental leadership, faculty and staff to advance the educational, scholarship, diversity, and outreach missions of the SGPS.

Position Responsibilities

Assists the Dean in creating, implementing, and updating a strategic plan for the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.

Establishes and assists in the implementation of operational policies and procedures, business practices, and quality standards for SGPS.

Assists in creating and planning, in collaboration with Institutional Advancement, an expanded marketing and recruitment strategy for special programs, intersession, summer session courses, and other related activities.

Conducts market research to analyze the demand, viability, innovative opportunities, and alternative delivery formats for new programs.

Works closely with SGPS faculty, administration, and functional units to foster understanding of, support for, and participation in entrepreneurial initiatives both on and off campus in order to provide greater visibility for the University, synergistic connections across academic units, increased enrollment by non-traditional student populations, and external relationships with community organizations and businesses.

Assists the Dean with community outreach and professional relationship building to support School’s advisory board, innovative program creation, fundraising initiatives, grant-writing support, and other strategic initiatives.

Assists the Dean with management and supervision of personnel within the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. Assists the Dean with the management and operations of the graduate commencement ceremonies.
Assists the Dean to develop, accelerate, and/or expand programs to serve a larger cohort of students.
Assists the Dean in identifying new opportunities for growth and implementing long-term business plans to meet current market trends.

Assists the Dean in analyzing institutional data and making recommendations for improvements to existing program offerings. Provides the Dean and departments with research and guidance to match SGPS degree and certificate programs to market needs. Supports fundraising initiatives consistent with SGPS priorities.
Acts as the SGPS liaison with Graduate Council in support of curricular matters and approvals.

Participates in both on-campus and external committees as needed to support the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.

Performs other duties and responsibilities related to those described above, which do not alter the basic level of responsibility of the position.

Qualifications

Academic credentials and experience suitable to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the position. Master’s degree and at least seven years of demonstrated, progressive higher education academic and administrative leadership and/or business/sales/entrepreneurial success required. Terminal degree from an accredited college or university preferred. A track record of engagement in graduate studies and experience, or strong interest in strengthening and expanding self-sustaining, continuing, and professional education programs is required. Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills and strong interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, verbally, and in writing with faculty, students, and administration as well as with government, business, and civic leaders in the service area. Knowledge of best practices in graduate studies; experience in the governance of graduate programs, and continuing education; knowledge of existing policies, procedures, and practices related to graduate studies, including curricular processes and new program planning, development, approval and implementation. Possession of analytical skills, creativity, and administrative skills necessary to suggest improvements. Demonstrated skills in coordinating graduate and/or continuing education programming, including marketing, recruitment, retention of students and grantsmanship. Skilled in budget development and ability to monitor income and expenditures to assure budgeted activities operate within said budget and ability to take appropriate corrective action when and where necessary. These qualifications may be waived for individuals with appropriate alternate administrative or academic experience.

Application

For full consideration, please submit a cover letter of application, resume, and contact information for three professional references to sgps-application@southernct.edu by October 24, 2023. The position will remain open until filled. 

Southern Connecticut State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University seeks to enhance the diversity of its faculty and staff. People of color, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.