Dean of Retention and Student Success

Job Description

The search will remain open until the position is filled; however, to be considered for the initial screening, candidates should submit an application package by March 31, 2024. Our anticipated start date for this position is June 2024.

Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) is located on the Virginia Peninsula in the heart of Hampton Roads, a region renowned for being the birthplace of America and home to communities rich in culture and industry. Bordering the Chesapeake Bay, the region boasts beaches, major attractions, world-class museums, and a vibrant visual and performing arts scene. The area is known for its economic vitality, which includes being home to several military bases, ship building facilities, the NASA Langley Research Center and Jefferson Lab, major colleges and universities, and varied commercial industries and enterprises.
VPCC is a comprehensive community college, offering a variety of programs of study leading to an associate’s degree, certificate, or career studies certificate. In addition to the many popular transfer degree programs, the college is known for its strong career & technical programs and its outreach to the community as a partner and leader in workforce development.
The College has two campuses, one in Hampton and the Historic Triangle Campus located in Williamsburg. The College also has a satellite site at the Southeast Higher Education Center in Newport News. The communities served by the College are the Cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg, and the Counties of James City and York.
The Position:
Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Success, the Dean of Retention and Student Success is a college wide position with the primary responsibilities of providing strategic direction and leading retention, persistence, and completion practices to enhance the student experience at the institution. The Dean of Retention and Student Success serves as a subject matter expert accountable for metrics related to student success outcomes such as retention, persistence, and degree completion.

The Dean of Retention and Student Success is responsible for providing leadership for strategic planning, assessment, and budget oversight for specific retention and student success service units. This role will provide direct supervision and oversight to the following areas: Accessibility Services (ADA), Great Expectations, the Minority Male Initiative, Student Conduct and Compliance, Student Life and Leadership, Testing Centers, and TRiO.

The Dean of Retention and Student Success will manage the college-wide early alert program and will collaborate with Enrollment Management and Student Success staff members, faculty, and other staff to utilize Navigate to implement and enhance strategies related to early alerts, retention, and completion. Additionally, this position oversees and provides leadership for the establishment of completion initiatives for students not progressing in degree programs, stop-outs, and reverse transfer students.

The Dean of Retention and Student Success serves as the institution’s Title IX Coordinator and manages other state and federal laws relating to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, and stalking. The Dean is responsible for conducting or supervising investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct involving academic and Workforce students and, in coordination with the respective Human Resources, allegations involving staff and/or faculty. The position is responsible for maintaining the college’s policies regarding discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct, as well as assisting in reviewing and revising the internal processes and practices for the investigation and adjudication of these issues, as may be needed. The Dean is responsible for developing and conducting training for students, staff, and faculty on all issues of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct.
With the responsibility for coordinating and administering student conduct policies and procedures, the dean will respond to and investigate allegations of student conduct violations of students enrolled in credit courses. The dean will collaborate with Workforce Development to ensure consistency and alignment in policy and procedures for Workforce students. This position will foster and implement a community that promotes the well-being of students; set and carry out disciplinary policy as outlined in the Student Handbook, VCCS policy and state and federal regulations, as well as serve on the Threat Assessment Team and manage the supporting software. The position participates in and leads college-wide committees and projects related to student success.

The Dean of Retention and Student Success possesses a growth mindset, a strength-based approach centered on students, and a steadfast commitment to equity, especially concerning the elimination of barriers to college success and completion. The position supports and promotes a climate of collegiality, innovation, and improved service to students and fosters cooperation with faculty, staff, and other managers to develop processes which are supportive of student success. The Dean of Retention and Student Success’ responsibilities include enhancing student engagement, increasing college completion, annual review/revision of the Student Handbook and Student Code of Conduct, student services sections of the College Catalog and other published materials. The desired candidate will serve as a results-driven strategist and effective change agent working collaboratively to facilitate a college-wide approach to retention, community college student success, and an enhanced student-centered learning environment. Special Assignments

May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

KSA's/Required Qualifications Required Qualifications: Master’s degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Educational Administration, Student Personnel Administration, or a related field from a regionally accredited college or university. Experience in the areas of student engagement, retention, enrollment services, academic advising, student support services, student completion. Minimum of five years of supervision experience and progressively increasing responsibilities demonstrating integrative leadership or management level administration in higher education. Proven leadership in a large, complex organizational setting, preferably within a community college or university with a focus on transfer student success. Proven innovative practices and strategies around retention, completion, and student success. Experience with student information systems, data tracking systems, developing actionable retention plans.
Specialized Knowledge: Knowledge of federal, state, and institutional laws, regulations, policies, and procedures including SACSCOC, Title IX, ADA, FERPA, Threat Assessment, and Student Conduct. Have current knowledge of evidence-based best practices related to retention and student success. Demonstrated knowledge of current trends and issues affecting student services in higher education.
Skills: Strong critical and reasoning skills. Superior organizational, written, and oral communication skills. Computer Skills: Microsoft Office suite, multimedia software in post-secondary education, social media technology, and student record database systems. Demonstrated skill in managing budgets, equipment, and other institutional resources.
Ability To: Utilize administrative applications of information technology. Analyze policy and synthesize quantitative and qualitative data for the purposes of implementing. Work with and collaborate well with high-level administrators, faculty, staff, students, and their families. Work as a team player, appropriately exhibiting a positive attitude. Work effectively in an environment characterized by multiple complex factors, competing priorities, ambiguous situations, and resource challenges. Maintain confidential information. Additional Considerations Experience in a community college setting or 4-year institution with focus on community college or non-traditional students. Operation of a State Vehicle No Supervises Employees Yes Required Travel Some travel may be required.

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