Batalden Assistant Dean of Student Success and Belonging

Augsburg University has maintained a strong academic reputation defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies since 1869. A safe and welcoming campus in the heart of Minneapolis, Augsburg offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to nearly 3,200 diverse students.

Augsburg’s mission is to educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.

Augsburg invites individuals who share our mission and commitment to intentional diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to join our community.  In particular, Augsburg invites BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, women, veterans and those from underrepresented or marginalized backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

Summary of Position 

The Batalden Assistant Dean of Student Success and Belonging is responsible for creating and implementing programs, strategies, and initiatives to enhance the academic, social, and emotional well-being and the overall experience for undergraduate students through a framework of “belonging without othering.” Centering the student experience lens on belonging without othering as the primary approach for student success will be ground-breaking within higher education and further Augsburg’s national reputation as a leader in supporting students historically marginalized within higher education.

This framework centers the focus of student success efforts on four key support areas: inclusion, connectedness to peers and others, sense of visibility to others including the greater institution, and agency. This position will lead stakeholders as they develop a comprehensive, systematic approach to student success based in building belonging without othering across campus. The Batalden Assistant Dean of Student Success and Belonging will then deliver and implement a shared action plan that ensures Augsburg fulfills its promise that all our students find belonging and concomitant post-graduate success.

The Batalden Assistant Dean for Student Success and Belonging will serve as the university leader for student success through intentional efforts of belonging without othering. The position will champion a holistic and cross-functional commitment to belonging without othering as the pathway to student success. The position will lead Augsburg in integrating existing opportunities, identifying areas for growth, and building support resources that meet students where they are and fill the gaps. Partnering with various offices, departments, and individuals across campus will be critical to the success of this role, including the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Assistant Provost and Dean of Students, Associate Dean for Student Success, and Assistant Dean for Persistence and Graduation.

Essential to ensuring that we live up to the promise of an Augsburg education, this leader will put Augsburg at the forefront of higher education once more as we push the foundational importance of belonging without othering for student success.

The Batalden Assistant Dean of Student Success and Belonging position is generously funded by Paul and LaVonne Batalden (‘63).

Primary Responsibilities

• Facilitate the alignment of curricular and cocurricular programming for first-year students in collaboration with Assistant Dean for Persistence and Graduation, Director of General Education, and Director of Augsburg Seminar by utilizing and creating best practices for first-generation college students.
• Lead strategies to advance a sense of belonging and success for first generation college students, including the planning and implementation of First Generation Week in collaboration with other departments.
• Provide mentorship opportunities for undergraduate students through establishing new and connecting already-existing on-campus programs (e.g., Strommen Center for Meaningful Work, Multicultural Life, Campus Life, Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity Program, TRIO-SSS, and TRIO-McNair) through a framework of “belonging without othering”.
• Develop programming designed to improve belonging among the commuter student population, including assessing structural changes to programming, services, and spaces on campus.
• Foster academic belonging in University schools through the development, implementation, and support for current and future Living Learning Communities in the residence halls.
• Facilitate the recognition of milestones in student success, including Major Declaration Day and other programs honoring academic progress and research.
• Participate on and consult with University committees, including but not limited to Joint Committee on Student Success, Student Care Team, and University Council Committee on Equity and Inclusion.
• Collaborate with the Office for Institutional Research and Effectiveness on data collection, analysis, and reporting; collecting student feedback to improve the student experience and increase retention and graduation rates.
• Supervision of University staff members whose responsibilities directly impact student success and belonging.
• Oversight and management of budgets, including special project funds.

Additional Responsibilities

• Convene and help support groups of staff, faculty, and administration around student belonging programs, strategies, and initiatives as necessary.
• All other duties as apparent or assigned by supervisor(s).

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Typical work environment is an office. Sedentary work for long periods of time. 
• Regular computer and phone use.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Student Affairs, Leadership, Social Work, Education, Higher Education, Counseling, or related field. 
• Eight (8) years of professional experience in higher education/student affairs, belonging and DEI work, or other related field. 
• Four (4) years of professional experience working with first-generation college students. 
• Three (3) years of experience directly supervising professional staff. 
• Demonstrated cultural competency and work with diverse student populations. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in student-centered programming at the university level. 
• Sophisticated communication skills. 
• Ability to navigate complex and interrelated relationships among internal and external stakeholders. 
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a diverse work environment. 
• Ability to lead and mentor others. 
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and work independently with little supervision. 
• Demonstrated ability to fundraise or secure grants.

Application Requirements

Please submit a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position. 

The position will remain open until filled, but for first consideration please submit your application and materials by Friday, March 21, 2025.

Compensation and Benefits at Augsburg

• The compensation range is $90,000 - $110,000 per year, DOQ.

Augsburg University offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards program including: 

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• A generous 403(b) matching program with an employer contributions of up to 8% upon eligibility
• Up to 100% tuition remission for employees, spouses and dependents, and participation in the Tuition Exchange program with colleges and universities throughout the US
• Generous paid time-off, including 14 paid holidays, 12 sick days, 2 community service days, and vacation of up to 22 days per year immediately upon hire
• Employer-paid STD, LTD and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Statement

Augsburg is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class.  

Augsburg University is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, familial status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or public assistance status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. 

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at phone number: 612-330-1058 or email: [email protected].