College of Optometry Associate Dean of Student Services and Alumni Relations

St. Louis College of Optometry

The University of Missouri - St. Louis College of Optometry is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, student-oriented leader for the position of Associate Dean of Student Services and Alumni Relations. The Associate Dean of Student Services and Alumni Relations leads in the strategic planning and implementation for student services and alumni relations in support of the mission of the College of Optometry. Areas of responsibility include student recruitment, enrollment, retention, well-being, alumni engagement, fostering faculty development to enhance student success, and hiring and evaluating staff. This is a non-tenure track (NTT) position and clinical or teaching assignments up to 0.2 FTE each semester will be assigned.

Responsibilities include:

1. Leads and supervises the planning, organizing, directing, staffing, coordinating, and oversight for programs and policies of the student services function of the College, including recruitment, enrollment, registration, student development and retention, events, student organizations, career counseling, and commencement activities.
2. Collaborates with the dean, associate deans, directors, faculty and staff to improve the student experiences and enrich the learning environment of the College of Optometry.
3. Collaborates with UMSL Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Strategic Enrollment leaders on campus to promote a comprehensive, integrated approach toward enhancing and improving the recruitment, retention and completion rates of optometry students.
4. Collaborates with the dean, associate deans, directors, faculty and staff in fostering optometry student recruitment and retention.
5. Oversees development and implementation of overall College marketing plan, leveraging use of all media to increase engagement with prospective and current students and alumni.
6. Collaborates with the UMSL Office of Alumni Engagement to foster alumni engagement.
7. Collaborates with the dean to foster new and cultivate current alumni and community relationships.
8. Directs and supervises student and alumni events including, but not limited to student pre-orientation mixer, student orientation, white coat ceremony, commencement, and alumni receptions.
9. Develops a culture that supports student achievement and success.
10. Recommends, manages, and administers budgets and other resources to support student services and alumni engagement.
11. Seeks and facilitates extramural funding to support student financial support.
12. Prepares reports related to student recruitment, enrollment, and retention and alumni engagement within the College of Optometry.
13. Represents the dean at designated campus, community, and professional meetings.
14. Analyzes institutional data regarding student progress and progression.

Required:

Terminal Degree related to optometry, vision science or higher education.
Experience working with professional or graduate students in student services.
Demonstrated leadership and mentoring ability.
Evidence of skills collaborating with interprofessional colleagues.
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Skills in analyzing statistical data relative to student success.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work in partnership with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Candidate will be evaluated on:
Earned Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree
Evidence of success in securing funding for projects

Application materials should include a letter of interest, curriculum vita, statement relative to experience with and commitment to student and alumni engagement, and list of at least three contacts who can provide a letter of recommendation. If you have questions regarding this position, please contact Jule L. DeKinder, OD, FAAO, FSLS, Associate Dean of Academic Programs at dekinderj@umsl.edu.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas..

The University of Missouri - St. Louis offers benefit-eligible employees a wide variety of benefits including: health, dental and vision coverage effective on the first day of employment, retirement, paid time off, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents and employee and dependent life insurance. For more information about our benefits, please visit:

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person's success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate. In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit .