Assistant Dean for Academic Advising Strategy, University College

University College at Rowan University is seeking an Assistant Dean for Academic Advising Strategy to provide visionary, transformational leadership for academic and career advising across University College. The role is dedicated to excellence in academic and career advising and holistic support for all undergraduate and graduate campus-based students at Rowan University, with responsibility for coordinating advising strategy and facilitating shared practices and resources across advising units. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of University College, the Assistant Dean for Academic Advising Strategy serves as the chief academic and administrative officer for advising, advancing advising as an evidence-based and professional enterprise central to student success, learning, equity, and continued growth and momentum for Rowan University. This position works in tandem with several academic and career advising managers and unit leaders to coordinate advising across the Advising & Career Exploration (ACE) Center, advising teams embedded in Colleges & Schools, and advising teams serving additional populations such as 3+1 and graduate students. Above all, this position serves as a champion and visible leader for academic and career advising across the University, ensuring that Rowan provides student support of the highest caliber.

The Assistant Dean for Academic Advising Strategy is responsible for advancing long-term strength and sustainability of Rowan’s advising ecosystem by aligning strategic goals, resource planning, and operational practices; ensuring consistent and equitable student support across programs, locations, and advising teams; and integrating advising into strategic enrollment management, institutional planning, and comprehensive student support with numerous University partners, including Rowan Online. This role strengthens the professional practice of advising, elevates advisor voices in decision-making, and fosters an advising culture aligned with the University’s commitment to access, excellence, student success, and well-being.

The Assistant Dean for Academic Advising Strategy works closely with the Office of the Provost, Vice Chancellors, Deans, Associate Deans, academic and administrative department leadership, and managers and staff in University College on student success strategy. Success in this role will be evidenced by ability to effectively engage all partners across the University and team members in collaboration and action for continuous improvement of academic advising.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic & Transformational Leadership

• Provide overall strategic leadership for academic and career advising across Rowan University’s campuses, setting vision, policy, and priorities to support student success, retention, and equitable outcomes.
• Serve as the University’s chief advocate for advising, ensuring advising is central to institutional priorities including academic excellence, well-being, career readiness, and access for underserved and adult student populations.
• Foster a positive, agile, and transparent advising culture across the University that empowers and supports teams in navigating institutional, organizational, and operational change
• Facilitate communication and shared governance within University Advising Services and between UAS and other units within University College and across the University, including academic and nonacademic units, University Senate, and external partners such as the Rowan Colleges.
• Serve as supervisor for several advising managers, who in turn supervise a large team of professional advisors.

University-Wide Coordination to Promote Equity and Student Success

• Ensure consistency and equity of advising practices across colleges and units by co-developing advising standards and protocols in conjunction with the Vice Chancellor/Dean, other advising leaders, and advising teams.
• Partner with faculty, Deans, and program coordinators to strengthen collaborative support for students from professional academic and career advising, academic departments, and individual faculty.
• Collaborate with advising managers, advisors, and key partners to focus on integration of the vast network of student services available within and outside of University College for coordinated, holistic student support.
• Champion academic and career advising practices that close equity gaps and support diverse student populations, including adult learners, transfer students, and students from underserved communities.
• Contribute to an informed Rowan community on issues of student navigation of the University, equity and inclusion, and strategies to support students and serve as an advocate for students (individually and collectively)

Assessment, Analytics, and Technology Integration

• Drive organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability of advising operations in collaboration with other units, including Student Success Analytics and Systems, Institutional Data and Analytics, IRT, and other partners.
• Ensure advising outcomes are integrated into accreditation processes, program reviews, and institutional effectiveness reporting in alignment with the NACADA Core Competencies, Conditions of Excellence in Advising, and/or the CAS Standards.
• Partner with Student Success Analytics & Systems, Institutional Research & Analytics, Information Resources & Technology, Registrar, and other University partners to deliver actionable dashboards, reports, and processes that guide advising strategy and resource allocation to ensure the highest levels of student services and success.
• Infuse appropriate student success technology into advising processes for improvement of the student experience and outcomes and for advisor effectiveness and efficiency.

Professional Development & Scholarship

• Establish and lead comprehensive professional development and well-being programs for advisors and career counselors, in conjunction with other advising managers and relevant staff committees or representative bodies.
• Advance the professionalism and scholarship of advising by active engagement with and encouraging contributions to NACADA, NASPA, NACE, and other professional organizations, and positioning Rowan as a national leader in advising innovation.

Resource Development, Allocation, and Management

• Advocate for and secure resources to strengthen academic and career advising, such as institutional funding, external grants, and donor support.
• Evaluate and evolve as needed the organizational structure and workload of UAS managers and advisors to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and equity.
• Oversee and support unit-level managers with budgetary processes, ensuring sustainable operations and alignment with strategic goals.
• Occasional evening and weekend work is required
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Current full-time Rowan University employees only
• Master’s degree required
• At least ten years of progressively responsible experience in academic advising and higher education administration, with a minimum of five years in a managerial role supervising professional staff.
• Demonstrated record of advancing advising as a professional and scholarly enterprise, including engagement with NACADA Core Values and advising competencies.
• Strong record of leadership for policy and practice in an advising context, shared governance engagement, and cross-unit collaboration in a complex higher education environment.
• Strong record of evidence-informed practice and initiative in designing, assessing, and improving a practice or function, whether through organizational or protocol change or use of technology and automation
• Proven commitment to equitable outcomes for all students.
• Experience managing large teams with demonstrated ability to build a culture of strong communication, shared governance, trust, respect, professional development and engagement, and student-centeredness
• Demonstrated experience in change management with ability to build on existing organizational strengths while guiding collaborative, strategic innovation
• Demonstrated effectiveness with use of data and technology to evolve and optimize advising services and advisor workload management
• Excellent written and oral communication, interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills

Salary & Benefits:

• In compliance with The State of New Jersey's Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $125,000 - $140,000, with placement within the range determined by candidate's qualifications, professional experience, internal equity, and other factors. 
• For eligible employees, benefits include: comprehensive NJ State health, dental and retirement benefits, extensive accrued time off/paid holidays, and tuition reimbursement for employee, spouse, and dependents to attend Rowan University, Glassboro. (Tuition reimbursement will apply to undergraduate degrees only for spouse and dependents). 
• For more detailed information, please visit: https://sites.rowan.edu/hr/benefits/