Assistant Dean of First-Year Experience

The Assistant Dean of First-Year Experience serves as a key member of the Student Affairs leadership team and works closely with all levels of staff, numerous student leaders, and members of the Washington and Lee University (W&L) community. As a member of the First-Year Experience team, the assistant dean assists with the coordination, implementation and assessment of student affairs programming for new student orientation and programs, including primary facilitation and coordination of the Leading Edge experiences.

At W&L, the Assistant Dean of First-Year Experience plays a pivotal role in shaping the transition and success of first-year students. This position offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with students, faculty, and staff in a supportive and engaging community. With a focus on student development, leadership training, and program coordination, the role is dynamic, rewarding, and central to the university’s commitment to holistic student support.

W&L is located in Lexington, Virginia, a charming and historic town nestled in the Shenandoah Valley. The university fosters a welcoming and collegial environment, offering professional development opportunities, great benefits, and a strong sense of community. Lexington’s picturesque setting provides easy access to outdoor adventures such as hiking, kayaking, and cycling, while cities like Roanoke, Charlottesville, and Harrisonburg are just a short drive away. Visit jobs.wlu.edu to learn more about working at W&L, our benefits, community, and living in the area.

Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and welcoming environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for student development and holistic support for W&L first-year students

• Assists the FY team with planning, coordination and shared partnership for the University’s orientation programs for first‐year students

• Provides training sessions for Leading Edge student trip leaders and assists with recruitment and management of Orientation and Leading Edge student staff

• Works with Leading Edge trip coordinators to ensure the needs of the program and the coordinators are mutually met. Provides any needed training and assistance to trip coordinators

• Serves as the Student Affairs staff International Education liaison for international students

• Assists the FYE team, Admissions, Financial Aid, ITS, academic units and student service units to develop and coordinate comprehensive communication for new students and their families

• Evaluates processes and delivery of orientation programs

• Maintains current knowledge of instructional methods and new technologies pertinent to assigned programs, especially the development and instruction of FYE 100

• Serves as a contact for key unit stakeholders and develops partnerships for first-year experience programs and initiatives

• Collaborates with undergraduate Resident Adviser staff that support first-year programs and initiatives

• Supports additional departmental program and care initiatives when feasible; including, AIM, LEAD, OIE, and other programs as assigned.

• Works with the Office of Sustainability and Residence Life and Housing on student engagement and sustainability programming in the residence halls.

• Actively participates in meetings, committees, new initiatives, student affairs programs, and professional staff on-call rotation

• Develops positive and collaborative work relationships with students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, parents, and community members

• Creates and implements needs-based and pertinent programming for undergraduate first-year students. Serves as a catalyst for ideas pertaining to campus-based program initiatives, collaborating with Student Affairs professionals, University staff, and faculty in the development of new and creative FY programs and initiatives

• Member of the Assessment and Care Team (ACT), advising and offering resource-referral to students in need of additional support. Maintains up-to-