Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is looking for its next Dean of University College. The Dean of University College serves as a strategic leader responsible for cultivating a culture of academic excellence, student persistence, and comprehensive support across WSSU. As a senior member of the leadership team, the Dean provides direction for innovative, data-driven strategies that elevate student retention, degree progression, and overall success from matriculation through graduation. This includes guiding the university's expansion into AI-powered student support systems, online advising, and high-touch, holistic advising models that respond proactively to student needs.
Reporting to the Vice Provost for Student Success, the Dean oversees student-success units including Academic Advising and Retention, Learning Support Services, First and Second Year Student Experiences and Engagement, Undergraduate Completion Initiatives, and related student-support functions, ensuring their alignment and execution toward meeting institutional goals, UNC System performance metrics, and divisional strategies designed to strengthen persistence and degree completion.
About the Team
The University College (UC) provides WSSU students with the scholastic tools they will need to succeed throughout their collegiate career and beyond. Whether it is helping first-year students get acclimated to Ram life, assisting students with their academic pathway, or helping students enhance their critical thinking skills, UC offers a full complement of academic resources to support the academic achievement of WSSU students. UC is a student-centered unit that provides excellence in advising and learning support services. UC collaborates with campus and community constituents to enhance the academic, intellectual, and interpersonal skills of students to foster a culture in which students feel empowered and able to thrive as independent thinkers in the classroom and beyond. UC departments include: Advising Services, Academic Student Experience, Learning Support Services, Success Workshops, Office of International Programs, First-Year Experience Seminar Course, Honors Program, and the Office of Undergraduate Research.
About the Role
Key job duties and responsibilities are as follows:
- Harness predictive analytics, early-alert systems, and case-management data to design proactive, high-impact intervention strategies from enrollment through graduation.
- Strategically expand Advising and Retention support for online learners, ensuring quality, accessibility, and responsiveness.
- Design and implement targeted programs for students requiring additional academic support.
- Oversee a comprehensive student onboarding and orientation experience that strengthens belonging, academic readiness, career readiness, and long-term engagement.
- Lead, mentor, and evaluate a diverse team of professional staff including professional advisors, retention specialists, learning-support staff, and student-engagement personnel.
- Optimize communication tools, advising technologies, and workflow systems that support consistent, coordinated outreach throughout the student lifecycle.
- Develop internal processes, documentation, and training that ensure efficient operations and continuous improvement across all University College units.
- Strategically manage unit budgets and operational plans; pursue external funding and grants to expand student-success initiatives.
- Partner closely with academic units to support advising alignment, general education pathways, academic plans, and early academic intervention.
- Partner with academic units to facilitate faculty career pathways mentoring and support.
- Collaborate with Enrollment Management to ensure a seamless handoff from recruitment to enrollment, with focused support for first and second year, and targeted populations.
- Represent University College and WSSU at relevant conferences, committees, and professional forums to advance institutional visibility and thought leadership.
Minimum Education, Experience, & Skills
- Terminal degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Educational Leadership, or a closely related discipline.
- At least five years of progressive leadership experience in higher education with a demonstrated record of improving student success, retention, and advising effectiveness.
- Experience leading or supporting online student-support programs.
- Proven ability to use data analytics, assessment tools, and technology platforms to inform decision-making.
- Proficiency with Student Information Systems (SIS) and Student Relationship Management (SRM) platforms; experience with Salesforce and Jenzabar preferred.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and cultivate high-performing teams.
- Deep understanding of FERPA and demonstrated integrity in handling confidential student information.
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
- Doctoral degree in a related field.
- Experience as a faculty member or in academic leadership.
- Experience implementing AI-based student success tools, case-management systems, or advanced data platforms.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit a cover letter and CV/resume. Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and the position remains open until filled. For best consideration, please submit your application by April 16, 2026. The University plans to name the new Dean by June 2026. All candidate names and materials will remain confidential; however, finalists invited to campus may be asked to waive confidentiality to engage with the broader campus community.
Salary will be commensurate with experience and education. This is a full-time onsite position in Winston-Salem, NC.
Contact Information
Winston-Salem State University has retained the UNC System Office executive search team to support this recruitment. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be directed to Scott Murray, Director of Executive Search at
sfmurray@northcarolina.edu
Equal Employment Opportunity and Other Information
Winston Salem State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran and National Guard.
