The Dean of Students is a Cabinet level position reporting to the President. This position supports an engaged, welcoming, and vibrant student community. The Dean provides leadership for Student Life, Health and Wellness, Residential Life, DEIB programming, Athletics, Restorative and Accountability procedures, and student leadership programs. The Dean leads community care initiatives and culture-building, co-coordinates new student orientation, and supports student activities and student groups.  

The Dean is a student-focused administrative role on our Craftsbury Common campus. Candidates must have a personal interest in our mission of ecological thinking and action and support the College’s vision of being a community in which people of all backgrounds and identities feel at home, where differences are embraced, and individuals take responsibility for furthering the dignity of all. 

Position Responsibilities 

• Sets the tone for a College culture focused on student wellbeing and thriving.

• Serves as an advocate for the student body and a liaison with stakeholders of the College.

• Maintains an active, engaging, and supportive presence on campus.

• Primary responder for campus crisis response, emergency on-call rotation, and accountability procedures.

• Coordinates all Community programming.

• Coordinates and supports student engagement and retention initiatives throughout the community.

• Chairs Equity Council and Community Council and Community Meetings. Serves on the College’s Student Engagement Committee.

  • Advises Student Activities, Pride, and Roots groups, when appropriate

• Coordinates or oversees housing accommodations for each block, semester, and/or special session.

• Primary responder for campus crisis response, emergency on-call rotation, and accountability procedures.

• Provides guidance and referrals and 1:1 support to students.

• Coordinates Student Leader training and orientations prior to each semester and workshops throughout the semester.

• Supervises Work Program students as appropriate

• Manages Athletics and Wellness programs, budget, and attendant staff (Nurse, Therapist)

• Collaborates with kitchen and farm leadership on nutrition and food planning.

• Supports and coordinates the College’s Title IX workshops, programs, responses, and reporting.

• Coordinates and facilitates community accountability practices.

• Supports A Sense of Place orientations in the Fall and Spring Semesters. 

• Serves on at least two committees and ad-hoc task forces and committees as needed.

• Participates in All-College Meetings and Team/Staff meetings as appropriate.

• Participates in College events, including All College Work Days, Alumni Weekend, Opening Days, Admissions Open Houses and Visit Days, Expeditions, and Commencement Weekend.

• Participates in co-curricular or extracurricular activities that involve students (examples include attending student presentations, student or faculty-led groups, attending / organizing community meetings, etc.)

• Drafts and edits handbooks and policies as appropriate

• Direct preparation of administrative and management reports; develop procedures for the appropriate use of data in student intervention and support.

• Oversee survey creation, administration, and timely and appropriate use/distribution of data.

Work Arrangement

This is a full-time, exempt position.  The role involves frequent weekend and evening commitments. The job requires on-call and occasional emergency response responsibilities.

Position Requirements

• Educational Background: Master’s degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education Administration, Counseling, or a related field required; Doctoral degree preferred.

• Professional Experience: Minimum of [5] years of progressive experience in student affairs or a related field, including roles such as Assistant Dean, Director of Student Life, or similar positions. Experience in a small liberal arts college setting is highly desirable.

• Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead, manage, and inspire a team, with experience in supervising staff, managing budgets, and implementing student life initiatives.

• Student-Centered Approach: Demonstrated commitment to student development and well-being, with a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges of students in a liberal arts environment.

• Communication Skills: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with students, faculty, staff, and parents. Skilled in handling sensitive situations with discretion and tact.

• Crisis Management: Experience in crisis management and conflict resolution, with the ability to address emergencies and behavioral issues effectively.

• Knowledge of Policies and Regulations: Familiarity with relevant laws and regulations, including Title IX, FERPA, and student conduct policies.

• Cultural Competence: Ability to work effectively with diverse student populations, fostering an inclusive environment and supporting various student groups.

• Commitment to Institutional Mission: Strong alignment with the college’s mission and values, particularly in the context of a liberal arts education, with the ability to support and advance institutional goals.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Must be able to lift and/or carry up to 25 pounds occasionally 

• Must be able to move around and across campus and grounds in all seasonal conditions

• Much of the work occurs in an office setting using standard office equipment including extended periods of work on a keyboard with a computer screen at a desk

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work responsibilities that will be assigned and expected while holding this position. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

What We Offer:

Salary range of $75,000-$85,000 based on experience.

• Housing Option Available

• Paid sick leave

• Paid vacation days

• Paid holidays 

• Parental leave 

• Paid bereavement 

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Basic term life Insurance

• Long-term disability Insurance

• Travel accident insurance

• Retirement contribution

• Eligibility for tuition-free course enrollment based upon length of employment and space availability.

Application Process

The position will remain open until an appointment has been made, but application review will begin immediately. Candidates should send the following materials electronically: cover letter, résumé, and contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without candidate permission. The finalist must be willing to submit to credit and criminal pre-employment screening.

Application materials should be addressed to the Hiring Committee and emailed as a single PDF file to: [email protected].

About Sterling College

Sterling College is deeply committed to its mission of advancing ecological thinking and action. As a premier, environmentally focused liberal arts college, we are steadfast in our dedication to education, sustainability, and the well-being of both the planet and its inhabitants. Our emphasis on experiential learning and real-world application has made us a leader in fostering talent dedicated to correcting environmental degradation. To fulfill this vision, we are actively seeking qualified applicants who share our commitment to environmental stewardship, experiential pedagogy, interdisciplinary education, and community enrichment.

In pursuit of its vision, Sterling College has received national attention for becoming one of the first institutions in the U.S. to divest in fossil fuels. The College has also been recognized for its sustainability initiatives by Sierra Magazine and has earned a STARS Gold Rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. Sterling is also one of only 9 colleges and universities recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a “Work College” for the integration of experiential and applied learning in our campus culture and curriculum. 

At Sterling College, we recognize that the success of our mission is deeply interconnected with the well-being of our faculty and staff. Our benefits package and commitment to work-life balance are designed to support you personally and professionally. Located in picturesque Craftsbury Common, Vermont, our campus serves as both a workplace and a playground, offering year-round recreational activities like Nordic skiing, mountain biking, and hiking, all within driving distance to major cities such as Boston and Montreal. Sterling acknowledges that the land on which we gather—the place now known as Vermont—is the traditional and unceded territory of the Abenaki. We also learn in-and-from a range of landscapes that belong to other indigenous peoples.

Join us in our pursuit to educate and inspire the next generation of environmental leaders. Seize this opportunity to make a tangible impact in a community that values your expertise and vision. Become a part of Sterling College, where your work extends beyond a job description and contributes to a more sustainable and just world.

Sterling College is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, national origin or sex in violation of TitleVII. Sterling College prohibits discrimination against employees, applicants for employment and students on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.

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