Associate Dean for Residence Life and Student Care

Department

Student Development

Status

Full-Time

Time Period

40 hours/12 months

Available

August 12, 2026

Description

The Associate Dean for Residence Life and Student Care provides leadership for the University’s residence life and student care functions by fostering a Christ-centered residential community that promotes student development, safety, well-being, belonging, and personal responsibility. The associate dean supervises residence directors, the resident assistant program, and health services while coordinating student care efforts and collaborating with campus partners to support student success.

Responsibilities

Provides leadership and direction for the University’s residence life program, ensuring that residential communities support the mission of Columbia International University and promote student learning, spiritual formation, personal responsibility, and community engagement.
Supervises, coaches, develops, and evaluates residence directors and provides oversight for the daily operation of campus residence halls and Pine View Apartments.
Recruits, selects, trains, supervises, and develops the resident assistant program, ensuring student leaders are equipped to build healthy residential communities and effectively support their peers.
Coordinates with housing operations regarding occupancy management, room assignments, facilities concerns, residential policies, and housing procedures to provide an excellent residential experience.
Oversees campus health services and coordinates student care initiatives involving student wellness, medical concerns, crisis response, and referrals to appropriate campus and community resources.
Serves as a member of the University’s student care network by collaborating with counseling services, academic success, campus safety, athletics, faculty, and other campus partners to identify concerns, coordinate interventions, and support students experiencing academic, behavioral, emotional, medical, or personal challenges.
Assists in responding to student emergencies, behavioral concerns, crisis situations, and after-hours incidents involving residential students.
Assists the Dean of Students with student conduct administration, behavioral intervention, and implementation of student policies by investigating concerns, coordinating educational interventions, monitoring student accountability, and promoting student learning, restoration, and personal growth consistent with the mission and values of Columbia International University.
Assists in planning and implementing new student orientation, Welcome Week, residence life programming, and other student development initiatives that foster student engagement and belonging.
Develops, implements, and assesses residence life goals, policies, operating procedures, and student learning outcomes consistent with University priorities and best practices in student development.
Serves on University committees and participates in student development planning, assessment, training, and strategic initiatives as assigned.
Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

Thorough knowledge of student development principles and residence life best practices.
Ability to supervise, coach, mentor, and evaluate professional and student staff.
Ability to build Christ-centered residential communities that promote student success and personal growth.
Ability to respond calmly, effectively, and compassionately during crisis and emergency situations.
Ability to develop collaborative working relationships across multiple University departments.
Strong organizational, administrative, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality when handling sensitive student matters.
Ability to interpret and implement University policies with consistency, fairness, and a restorative philosophy.
Demonstrated commitment to the mission, doctrinal statement, and educational philosophy of Columbia International University.
Three years of progressively responsible professional experience in residence life, student affairs, student development, or a related area.
Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff and/or student leaders.
Experience responding to student crises, behavioral concerns, and student support situations.
Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in residence life or student affairs leadership.
Experience with student conduct administration, behavioral intervention, CARE or student support teams, or case management.
Experience working within a Christian college or university.
Familiarity with FERPA, Title IX, Clery Act, and other laws and regulations affecting higher education student affairs.
Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, education, leadership, or a closely related field.

Benefits

CIU provides a benefits package that includes:

Health Plan;
401(k) plan with match opportunity;
Employer provided group life insurance;
Long term disability insurance;
Vacation days, holidays, sick leave, family leave;
Educational benefits: tuition reduction for PreK3-Graduate.