About UMass Amherst 

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region. 

About the College of Natural Sciences (CNS)

The College of Natural Sciences houses 14 departments and offers more than 20 undergraduate majors to approximately 7,000 students. CNS is the largest of the university’s colleges and offers a comprehensive range of student services and advising. To better serve the students and ensure student academic success, the college is transitioning to a model of professional advising for all majors with the goal of increasing retention, degree completion, equity of access to advising, and career outcomes.

Job Summary

The CNS Assistant Dean serves as the primary Academic Dean for undergraduates enrolled as majors within the college. The Assistant Dean assists students, faculty, advisors, and occasionally parents (with FERPA release) with issues pertaining to academic policy and progress towards degree. The Assistant Dean leads the academic discipline and academic petition review process in the college and the development and promotion of strategies to improve student retention and degree completion.

Essential Functions

• Serve as the primary CNS Academic Dean for undergraduate students. Responsible for the receipt, review, and determinations for all Dean’s Actions including, but not limited to:
  • Academic Discipline.
  • Appeals for immediate reinstatement.
  • Advising follow up with students in academic discipline.
  • Petitions to the Committee on Admissions and Records.
  • University Withdrawals.
  • Approvals of Satisfactory Academic Progress Plans for Financial Aid requests.
  • Approvals to exceed 10/12 semesters.
  • Academic Petitions (e.g., Late withdrawals from courses; Late course additions).
  • Exceptions to college requirements.
  • Grade change approvals.
• Lead college retention and persistence efforts including academic recovery and adoption and the effective use of the Academic Alert system.
• Supervision of the CNS Assistant Director of Retention and Academic Success.
• Oversight of the CNS Science major.
• Analyses of student success data for all and disaggregated student populations. Planning and implementation of continual improvement approaches, strategic planning, and reporting.
• Dissemination of Academic Information to students. Responsible for regular communications to students regarding academic calendar reminders, opportunities, etc. Ensure that students are aware of essential academic information such as core academic regulations regarding course registration, withdrawals, repeats, etc. Communicate with affected students regarding their responsibilities such as completion of incomplete grades.
• Serve as CNS Lead on University Policy and Program Adherence. Connecting students and colleagues with various undergraduate initiatives within the colleges and throughout the university, advocating for undergraduates, and addressing policy exceptions or violations. These activities include regular partnering with, and mandates from campus units such as the Registrar’s Office, the Dean of Students Office, CCPH, Health Services, Academic Departments, and Disability Services.
• Serve as a Resource and Coordinate with Academic Advisors and Faculty to support students. Serve as a resource concerning complex student issues. Directly support students facing personal or academic difficulty (e.g., chronic academic struggles, health and mental health issues that influence academic success).
• Participate in College and University Committees (e.g., Undergraduate Deans Council; CNS Advising meetings; Dean’s Student Success Working Group) and engage as appropriate in other cross campus activities that support CNS undergraduate initiatives including appropriate Faculty Senate Councils and other Ad Hoc committees.

Other Functions

• Serve as part of the CNS Undergraduate Education leadership team in collaboration with the Associate Dean, Assistant Dean of Advising and Directors of the First Year and Upper level Advising Centers. 
• Application of data analytics for student outreach and intervention.
• Serve as backup for the Assistant Dean of Advising for New Student Orientation and Transitions events.
• Participate in admissions/yield events (e.g., Fall Visit Days, Destination Days).
• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master’s degree in a science, education, or related field.
• Five (5) years of experience college level programs focused on student academic success and progress.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Ph.D. or E.D. in a science, education, or related field.
• Familiarity with student advising data platforms.
• Familiarity with college or university academic policies.
• Able to successfully interact with a student body representing a range of socio-economic backgrounds.
• Understanding and appreciation of science and science education including the roles of research and undergraduate research experience in the university.
• Understanding of and appreciation for current principles and methods of academic advising.
• Able to fulfill responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated leadership experience.

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm, some nights and weekends.

Salary Information

• Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and a Contributions to Inclusive Excellence Statement (see below). References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here: (https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan). For this reason, we request that all applicants submit a Contributions to Inclusive Excellence Statement that addresses how you see yourself contributing to our community and campus climate and/or our shared goals of building a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse community.  

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.