Assistant Dean of Academic Excellence

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Department:

Washington College of Law

Time Type:

Full time

Job Type:

Regular

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Work Modality:

Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

Union:

Excluded

Job Description:

Summary:

The Assistant Dean of Academic Excellence promotes the academic excellence of American University Washington College of Law students, from matriculation through graduation. The Assistant Dean is responsible for formalizing the efforts the law school has taken to date and lead a centralized effort to optimize students’ academic achievements.

The Assistant Dean analyzes student success in the law school curriculum and on the bar examination and recommends and works with the Committee on Academic Excellence to implement and supervise supplemental academic training where necessary. The Assistant Dean also advises students on academic excellence in law school and provides strategic planning assistance to improve academic outcomes for all students. The Assistant Dean is responsible for working with the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Registrar to analyze and, where appropriate, enhance the experience of first-year JD students. In all of these functions, the Assistant Dean acts as a liaison between the students, faculty, and staff for academic and first-year experience issues.

This position reports directly to the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Registrar. This position will work closely with the WCL Dean, the Faculty Chair of the Committee on Academic Excellence, and faculty, students, and staff throughout the law school community.

Essential Functions:

• Develop an overarching strategy to help students improve their academic skills and achieve academic excellence both in law school and on the bar exam. This includes providing the Committee on Academic Excellence with information and advice regarding best practices for bar exam preparation; collecting, analyzing, and measuring data to understand opportunities to enhance students’ academic experiences; and conceptualizing, recommending, and launching events, programs, and coursework to provide a comprehensive and meaningful academic experience for WCL students.

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the first-year experience of JD students at WCL, and provide vision, strategic direction, and accountability for enhancing services that support students’ academic transition to law school and satisfaction with the law school.

• Provide individual and group counseling to students about their academic progress in law school, readiness to take the bar exam, and choice of bar exam. Provide programming and advice for students about the administrative aspects of the bar admission process, including timetables for registering to take the exam as well as the information needed to submit a complete application.

• Establish policies and procedures about WCL’s academic excellence efforts and enhancing the first-year experience, including coordination between offices. Work with offices across the law school to assess the student experience, including, but not limited to, the Office of Academic Affairs, Office of the Registrar, Office of Student Affairs, Legal Rhetoric Program, Office of Financial Aid, Office of Finance & Administration, the Pence Library, and faculty and staff. Conceptualize, recommend, and either launch or work with particular offices and programs to launch reforms.

• Cultivates and supervises Office of Academic Excellence staff, including hiring, onboarding, and training. Provides coaching and feedback and evaluates performance. Seeks opportunities for staff to engage in professional and skill development.

• Create and maintain a dedicated section of t