Dean of Students

Franklin University a private independent accredited nonprofit university located in Columbus Ohio invites applications for the position of Dean of Students.

Founded in 1902 Franklin University has built its reputation on removing barriers to higher education for ambitious adults balancing educational goals with work family and other commitments. Accredited and nonprofit Franklin is recognized as an innovator in online education and serves students through applied undergraduate masters and doctoral programs designed to support career advancement and lifelong learning. More than 50000 Franklin alumni live and work around the world making meaningful contributions to their professions and communities.

Position Summary

The Dean of Students will lead and advance Franklin Universitys student-centered philosophy by providing strategic results-driven leadership that supports student success retention and goal attainment. This role drives high-impact strategies across key student-facing units to ensure consistent high-quality engagement throughout the student lifecycle aligned with the Universitys enrollment and growth goals.

The Dean will serve as a transformational leader in applying artificial intelligence across Student Affairs reimagining how high-quality high-touch student support can be scaled without losing the human connection while improving responsiveness and delivering measurable gains in student success.

This role provides strategic oversight for Academic Advising Current Student Communications and Community Standards; serves as Co-Chair of the Universitys Student Success Initiative; oversees student policies and appeals; and fosters a culture of innovation accountability continuous improvement and student-centered service across the division.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Dean of Students Office including Academic Advising Current Student Communications and Community Standards.
• Lead develop and inspire a high-performing team focused on student success retention persistence and degree completion.
• Partner with Academic Affairs Admissions Financial Aid Academic Support Services and other university leaders to develop and implement strategies that support enrollment growth student engagement and positive student outcomes.
• Serve as Co-Chair of the Universitys Student Success Initiative (SSI) leveraging data analytics and student success metrics to identify opportunities and guide institutional decision-making.
• Champion innovative approaches to student support including the thoughtful application of artificial intelligence technology and process improvement to enhance the student experience while maintaining meaningful human connection.
• Develop and oversee proactive student outreach intervention and support strategies designed to improve retention persistence and completion rates.
• Promote an inclusive and supportive learning environment that meets the needs of Franklins diverse student population including adult learners military-affiliated students and other special populations.
• Provide leadership in the development interpretation and implementation of student policies procedures and practices to ensure consistency fairness and regulatory compliance.
• Serve as the Universitys Primary Appeal Officer overseeing institutional appeals and external student complaints.
• Manage departmental budgets resources and operational priorities in alignment with institutional goals.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to expand student support resources and strengthen community partnerships.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational effectiveness service delivery and student satisfaction.
• Remain informed of emerging trends research and best practices in student affairs and higher education applying those insights to advance departmental and institutional priorities.
• Demonstrate agility sound judgment and a solutions-oriented mindset when responding to complex or urgent student and institutional matters.
• Perform other duties and lead special initiatives as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Masters degree required; doctoral degree preferred.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education Student Affairs enrollment management or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience supporting student success retention engagement and persistence initiatives.
• Proven ability to lead develop and hold accountable high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated ability to use data metrics and assessment to inform strategy and evaluate outcomes.
• Experience leading organizational change innovation or technology-enabled improvements.
• Strong communication collaboration organizational and leadership skills.
• Clear student-centered philosophy and commitment to fostering student success.

Additional Information

This position follows an on-site hybrid work schedule and requires flexibility to meet departmental and university needs. Evening and weekend events may be required and some travel is expected.

Franklin offers a competitive benefits package incentive program and free addition Franklin provides free undergraduate tuition for employees and eligible family members graduate tuition assistance for full-time employees and eligible family members and a discount on doctoral tuition for employees.

Franklin University is committed to creating a respectful and inclusive educational and workplace environment. Franklin does not discriminate on the basis of age religion race ethnicity color national origin ancestry immigration status sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression marital or familial status disability or veteran or military status.