Dean of Student Experience en Holyoke Community College, MA

About the Department

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management, the Dean of Student Experience provides strategic leadership and direction for programs, services, and policies that promote student engagement, holistic wellness, and a strong sense of belonging. The Dean oversees the Office of Student Engagement, Orientation and New Student Programs, the college’s mental health service partner, and the EAB Navigate Application Administrator, ensuring these areas work in alignment to support student success, retention, and graduation.

The Dean serves as the college’s primary student conduct officer, administering the Student Code of Conduct, leading the Concerns Assessment, Referral, and Education (CARE) Team, and fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive campus environment. In collaboration with faculty, staff, and community partners, the Dean develops and assesses co-curricular, cultural, and leadership programs that enhance students’ academic and personal growth. Through a commitment to equity, compliance, and student-centered practices, the Dean of Student Experience plays a critical role in advancing the college’s mission and creating a vibrant, supportive learning community.

Position Duties

• Provide leadership and oversight for the Office of Student Engagement, Orientation and New Student Programs, and the college’s mental health service partner. In this role, the Dean fosters student development through activities that promote leadership, social responsibility, and personal growth.
• Develop and implement methods of assessment of programs and initiatives administered by the department, including but not limited to student satisfaction, sense of belonging, engagement, leadership development, retention, and degree completion. Use data to inform program improvements and resource allocation.
• Provide leadership for the implementation and administration of the college’s student success management platform, EAB Navigate, through direct oversight and supervision of the Application Administrator; 
• Serve as the college’s primary student conduct officer, managing student and organizational conduct cases—including hearings, administrative resolutions, and mediations—in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, and imposing sanctions designed to foster student learning and development.
• Serve as a point of contact for students facing challenges or crises, providing guidance, resources, and support related to mental health, personal well-being, and academic difficulties. 
• Serve as a visible advocate for students, addressing concerns promptly and connecting them with appropriate support services. The Dean chairs the Concerns Assessment, Referral, and Education (CARE) Team, coordinating interventions and support strategies for students of concern, and documenting actions taken.
• Represent HCC at the statewide Code of Conduct Administrator meetings; collaborate with statewide colleagues to prepare updates to the Code of Conduct when necessary and appropriate. 
• Provide training and consultation for students, faculty, staff, and advisors on the Student Code of Conduct, student rights and responsibilities, and community standards; ensure all student clubs and advisors receive ongoing support and guidance.
• Supervise and support both MCCC and AFSCME employees along with a robust team of student workers in Student Engagement and New Student programs, fostering a collaborative and inclusive student-centered work environment.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records of conduct cases, violations, and sanctions in Maxient, and prepare regular reports for institutional assessment and compliance.
• Conduct regular equity audits of student conduct policies, procedures, and sanctions; recommend and implement improvements based on findings. Ensure application of the Code of Conduct procedures at HCC promotes a fair and respectful campus environment. 
• Annually review and update the Student Handbook, Student Code of Conduct, and related resources including web content to ensure compliance, clarity, and accessibility.
• Lead and manage all aspects of the College’s commencement ceremony, including planning, logistics, program design, vendor coordination, staffing, stakeholder communication, budget oversight, accessibility and compliance, and post-event evaluation. Chair the Commencement planning committee.
• Prepare and manage budgets related to Student Engagement, Orientation and New Student Programs, conduct and mental health services, including state and federal grants, ensuring effective and responsible stewardship of resources.
• Collaborate with academic Deans and Associate Deans along with Student Affairs Departments such as Admissions, Advising, El Centro, ALANA, and SAMP, to provide a seamless student experience from enrollment through completion.
• Participate in campus events, orientation activities, and student engagement programming, including occasional evening and weekend commitments. In addition to HCC’s main campus, visibility at and engagement with students, faculty and staff at HCC’s Center for Health Education and the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute is required.
• Ensure compliance with college policies, and state and federal regulations related to student conduct, activities, and engagement.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and goals of Student Affairs and Holyoke Community College.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership, Social Work, Education, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field.
• Five (5) years experience in higher education that includes student affairs, residence life, orientation, or student life.
• Experience supervising individuals and teams.
• Knowledge of student development theory and familiarity with current practices and legal affairs related to student judicial affairs.
• Experience using or administering student success and/or educational technology platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to listen effectively and communicate clearly.
• Critical thinking, relationship building, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Budget management experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience overseeing multiple Student Affairs departments, including student life and student conduct.
• Program management experience.
• Training in trauma-informed approaches, Motivational Interviewing, Mental Health First Aid, and Emotional CPR.
• Experience working in a community college.
• Experience with Maxient, Banner, and Navigate360.

Other Qualifications

Direct Reports:

Directly supervises the activities and performance of the Student Engagement Coordinator, Clerk IV in the Office of Student Engagement, Coordinator of Orientation & New Student Programs, and EAB Navigate Application Administrator.

Full-time, Non-Unit Professional Position

Salary Range: $102,685.63 - $113,372.30/year (Grade 8); plus a comprehensive State benefits package.  

Hours:  37.5 hrs./week.