Job Description:
TITLE: Associate Dean, Student Success
DIVISION: Academic
DEPARTMENT: Egan School
PRIMARY WORK LOCATION: Fairfield, CT campus, Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies
UNUSUAL WORK CONDITIONS: May be required to attend off-hour meetings and events. Travel to local health system and community partner organizations, in addition to the Austin campus, as necessary.
EMPLOYEE TYPE: Exempt, Supervisor
BASIC FUNCTION: Serves as the chief student affairs and experiential education officer for the Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies. Reporting directly to the Dean, the Associate Dean provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all aspects of the student experience across undergraduate and graduate programs, including academic advising, progression, student success initiatives, student well-being, and all experiential learning activities (clinical education, simulation, study abroad, interprofessional education, community-based placements, and other immersive field experiences).
EDUCATION: Doctorate in Nursing, Public Heath, or related health discipline; eligible for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor
EXPERIENCE: Progressive leadership experience in student affairs, advising, and experiential/clinical education within higher education. Demonstrated experience overseeing partner engagement and clinical/field placement systems. Experience leading organizational change initiatives.
REPORTS TO: Dean, Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
I. Student Experience and Academic Advising
The Associate Dean ensures that advising systems are proactive, data-informed, and aligned with School strategic priorities, as well as accreditation and regulatory expectations.
Works closely with Department Chairs and Program Director on academic probation and dismissal processes; leaves of absence (e.g., medical, personal, military), and credential tracking and graduation clearance
Development, implementation, and continuous evaluation of comprehensive advising and peer support models
Oversight of individualized program of study development
Mediation of course substitutions, overrides, and academic exceptions
Communication of policies via student handbooks, websites, academic bulletins, and other formal communications
Monitoring of student performance metrics (retention, progression, licensure pass rates, academic risk indicators)
II. Student Success, Well-Being, and Co-Curricular Engagement
The Associate Dean serves as the primary advocate for student concerns within Egan School leadership and represents student interests in university forums, including:
Coordination of orientation programs and transition initiatives
Oversight of student leadership development and school-specific organizations
Collaboration with University Counseling Services, Health Services, Student Life, and other student support offices
Coordination of academic accommodations in partnership with the Office of Accommodations
Support of belonging and inclusive excellence initiatives affecting the student experience
Development of targeted support programs for at-risk students
Oversight of co-curricular and professional formation activities aligned with professional standards
III. Experiential Learning and Clinical Education
The Associate Dean ensures that experiential learning meets accreditation standards, regulatory requirements, and workforce needs, and that placement systems and resources are robust, equitable, efficient, and scalable, including:
Clinical and field placements
Simulation and skills laboratories
Community-based partnerships
International experiential programs
Interprofessional learning experiences
Development and maintenance of affiliation agreements
Oversight of clinical compliance requirements (student, faculty, and site compliance)
Collaboration with faculty to ensure alignment between didactic and clinical learning outcomes
Oversight of simulation strategy, utilization, and integration across programs
Coordination of site and preceptor quality monitoring and evaluation
Engagement with health system and community partners to sustain and expand placement opportunities
IV. Collaboration and Governance
The Associate Dean:
Serves as a member of the Egan School’s Leadership Team
Collaborates with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to align curriculum, scheduling, student outcomes, and experiential capacity
Works closely with Department Chairs and Program Directors to ensure consistency in progression policies and experiential learning opportunities
Collaborates with Program Directors and faculty on targeted interprofessional learning experiences
Oversees coordination between the Placement Team and the Clinical Course Coordinators on the evaluation of students, preceptors, and sites
Collaborates with Institutional Research on student outcome reporting
Works with School leadership on resource planning
Contributes to accreditation reports related to student outcomes and experiential learning
V. Leadership and Supervision
The Associate Dean supervises personnel within Student Success and Experiential Learning, which may include:
Assistant Deans or Directors for Student Experience and Experiential Learning
Clinical Placement Team
Simulation Team
Advising Staff
Compliance Coordinators
Administrative Support Personnel
Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.
Disclaimer
The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain, and should not be interpreted as containing, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.
Category:
Academic - AdminPerforms such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.
*Disclaimer
The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.
Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.