Assistant Dean of Students, Leadership & Involvement

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HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, .

The IRD for this job is: 08-17-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Division of Student Affairs & Success (DSAS) comprises nearly 800 professional staff and 2,100 student staff spanning five major units, and provides campus-wide leadership for student success programs and initiatives. The division's work is rooted in educational equity, institutional responsibility, and an unfettered commitment to supporting the whole student. DSAS works collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and campus leadership to ensure every student feels welcomed, supported, and a strong sense of belonging.

The Student Development and Engagement unit (SDE) provides a range of programs, services, spaces, and experiences that support student involvement, leadership, co-curricular learning, essential needs, wellbeing, and belonging. SDE includes Basic Needs Programs, the Dean of Students Office, KZSC, the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Education, Slug Support case management, Student Organization & Advising Resources, Student Media, Cultural Arts & Diversity (SOMeCA), and the Office of Transitions & Involvement. The unit also manages student demonstration response and support, student spiritual life, and advising for the Student Union Assembly (undergraduate student government). SDE is committed to helping students engage fully in their education.

The Center for Leadership & Involvement is a newly established cluster within SDE that includes SOMeCA and the Office of Transitions & Involvement. The Center connects students to the university and to each other, and fosters Banana Slug spirit across the student body by building pathways for engagement and belonging throughout their time at UC Santa Cruz.

More information can be found at:

JOB SUMMARY

The Assistant Dean of Students for Leadership & Involvement is an inaugural leadership role responsible for establishing the strategic vision, organizational direction, and long-term development of the Center for Leadership & Involvement at University of California, Santa Cruz. Under the general direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students, the Assistant Dean provides executive leadership and administrative oversight for the Center and its departments, programs, services, and operations.

In a complex and dynamic campus environment, the Assistant Dean serves as a key architect of a coordinated, student-centered ecosystem that supports student life. This role advances a comprehensive vision for student engagement that fosters belonging, deepens connection to the university, and strengthens student success and retention.

As a key campus leader and recognized subject matter expert, the Assistant Dean advises senior leadership on student engagement strategy, leadership development, student organizations, orientation and transition programs, and family engagement. The role collaborates broadly across Enrollment Management, Undergraduate Education, Colleges, Housing & Educational Services (CHES), Resource Centers, Academic Divisions, and other campus partners to advance coordinated strategies and initiatives that support student connection, belonging, and success.

The Assistant Dean provides vision, leadership, and accountability for the design, integration, assessment, and continuous improvement of high-impact, inclusive, and accessible student engagement programs and services. Through the use of data, assessment, and emerging best practices, the Assistant Dean leads ongoing innovation to ensure programs remain responsive, effective, and aligned with institutional priorities and the evolving needs of students and families.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $125,000 - $135,000 / Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 000320 (STDT LIFE DEV MGR 2) - Grade 25

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

40% - Organizational and Unit-Wide Leadership and Strategy

• Provides strategic, visionary leadership for the Center for Leadership & Involvement.
• Establishes long-term organizational vision, strategic goals, and assessment frameworks for student involvement programming, student leadership development, student organization advising, student media, cultural arts, new student orientation/transition programs, and family engagement.
• Advises the Associate Vice Chancellor & Dean of Students and divisional leadership on student and family engagement strategy, student engagement, leadership development, and the comprehensive student experience.
• Works in close partnership with the Associate Vice Chancellor & Dean of Students and collaborates with other Assistant/Associate Deans of Students to lead strategic planning efforts for the Student Development & Engagement (SDE) unit, ensuring alignment of priorities, resources, and outcomes across functional areas.
• Represents the unit, division, and university in campus, systemwide, and national discussions related to student involvement, leadership, and transition programs.
• Oversees organizational assessment, program evaluation, and continuous improvement efforts across the Center for Leadership & Involvement.
• Leads organizational planning, organizational design, and staff development efforts to strengthen effectiveness, alignment, and organizational capacity across the Center for Leadership & Involvement.

25% - Department Oversight, Management, and Project Integration

• Provides strategic and administrative leadership for departments and programs within the Center for Leadership & Involvement, including Transitions & Involvement and SOMeCA, ensuring organizational alignment, coordination of departmental priorities, effective stewardship of financial and operational resources, and integration of programs, services, and operations.
• Directly supervises the Director of SOMeCA and the Director of Transitions & Involvement, providing leadership, strategic guidance, performance management, and professional development support, while ensuring effective oversight and coordination of departmental staff, programs, services, operations, and student-facing initiatives across both departments.
  Integrates work across departments to create a cohesive student engagement experience that strengthens connection, belonging, and leadership development throughout students' time at the university.
• Provides strategic direction and support for key functional areas, including:
  • Orientation, transition programs, and first-year experience initiatives
  • Student involvement and engagement opportunities
  • Student organization advising, including Greek life
  • Student media
  • Cultural arts and diversity programs
  • Family engagement
• Ensures programs operate as educational environments aligned with institutional mission, student development principles, and inclusive excellence goals.
• Oversees risk management, policy development, and governance structures related to student organizations, programs, and events.

15% - Divisional & Campus Leadership, Student Engagement, and Campus Climate

• Participates as a member of the Associate Vice Chancellor/Dean of Students leadership team and contributes to broader divisional leadership through participation on the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Success Cabinet.
• Engages with and advocates for students and their concerns to support their individual and collective success. Maintains a strong, visible, and approachable presence across campus through attendance at student events, programs, and activities (including evenings and weekends) to build and sustain relationships with diverse student communities, student leaders, student organizations, and student activists, and remains informed about emerging student concerns, campus climate, and student voice.
• Represents the unit, division, and university on divisional, campus-wide, and system-wide committees and workgroups related to student engagement, leadership development, student organizations, new student and family programs, the first-year experience, and other related areas.
• Contributes to the planning and facilitation of professional development opportunities, trainings, and unit-wide gatherings for the Student Development & Engagement (SDE) unit.
  Serves as a leader on the Student Engagement Team (SET), contributing to divisional and campus-wide response and support to student protest, demonstration, and other issues of campus climate and conflict.
• Maintains current knowledge of national trends and best practices, research, and emerging issues in student affairs and adjacent fields, inclu