Assistant Dean of Students for Accessible Education and Student Support

Title: Assistant Dean of Students for Accessible Education and Student Support

Position Purpose:

The Assistant Dean of Students oversees the Office of Accessible Education and Student Support, provides campus leadership around equal access for students with disabilities, and coordinates all efforts and resources to support students of concern and student case management. The Assistant Dean of Students will provide direct non-clinical support to students who are experiencing significant issue in a number of areas: academics, mental health, physical health, economic concerns, conduct issues, family relationships, and social adjustment.

Job Duties:

Student-Facing Responsibilities and Case Management 

 

• Meet 1:1 with students of concern to develop individual success plans and track progress on personal and academic goals.
• Assist students in navigating academic support options, including course deferrals, withdrawals, and leaves of absence, and coordinate with instructors.
• Communicate with staff, parents, families, or designated emergency contacts regarding emergencies, including hospitalization, and develop a plan for return to campus and/or assist students in navigating the medical leave of absence process.
• Serve as a liaison between Student Affairs and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) staff regarding students of concern.
• Collaborate with other campus offices to provide support to students and expedite resolution of problems, Residence Life and Health Education, Health Services, Community Standards, and Office of Equity and Inclusion.
• Provide referrals to support services within the College as well as community-based resources.
• Follow up with students who have been referred to campus or community resources to ensure compliance with recommendations.
• In partnership with the Director of Accessible Education, provide direct services to students with disabilities, including intake and advice on documentation requirements, referring students for testing and to other campus resources, and providing general advice and guidance.
• Serve as a Student Support Advisor, providing personal support and supplemental academic advising to a cohort of students.

 

Administrative Responsibilities 

 

• Design systems and structures for student support that identify students for early intervention who may be struggling academically in collaboration with the Registrar.
• Lead and organize the Student Support Advisor (SSA) program where 14+ Student Affairs staff members are assigned to be a student’s consistent advisor for their 4 years at Bates: Assign new students and caseload, monitor SSA participation, remind SSAs if they have a struggling student they have not addressed, design SSA training at multiple points in the academic year.
• Monitor compliance with and remain knowledgeable about laws and case law affecting access to institutional resources, accommodations, and accessible education: Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act, Assistance Animals, etc.
• Serve as a member of the Academic Standing Committee
• Serve as a member and leader of the Bates CARE Collaborative making student referrals when necessary.
• Review and update policies and procedures relative to access and accommodations for students with disabilities, and case management for students of concern.
• Design an office data collection and assessment plan.
• Develop data reporting structures and presentations to communicate the work of the office to campus constituents.
• Oversee financial management for disability services and student support (e.g., note taking, adaptive technology, training, student employment, etc.).
• Partner with the Office of Residence Life and Health Education to coordinate policies and practices that facilitate access and inclusion for students with disabilities in the residential college setting.
• Support Director of Student Support in Leave of Absence process. Maintain and update policies and procedures as necessary. 
• Maintain and develop sound case management documentation practices using Bates Reach (Starfish).
• Assist the Director of Accessible Education with the Accessible Education Testing Center, including proctoring testing center as needed.
• Participate in rotating on-call schedule, responding to emergencies and urgent student situations that occur outside of business hours.

 

Campus Partnership, Training, and Education 

 

• Assist in training and consultation with faculty, staff, students, parents, and external stakeholders on reporting students of concern.