Senior Associate Dean for Academic Advising and Undergraduate Studies

Overview

The Office of Academic Advising supports undergraduate and graduate students in achieving their academic goals and enriching their educational experience. Through advising, academic support programs, and student success initiatives, the office promotes student retention, timely graduation, and persistence across disciplines, including STEM, within the School of Arts and Sciences and the College of Special Studies.

The office serves as a central hub for undergraduate academic policy and advising, overseeing functions such as academic standing, petitions, and degree certification, while fostering strong collaboration between students and faculty. It also facilitates access to nationally competitive fellowships (e.g., Fulbright, Truman, Goldwater, Rhodes), supports undergraduate research and experiential learning, and delivers programs that enhance academic development and student engagement.

Please see the Application Instructions section below in ‘What We’re Looking For’ for cover letter requirements and submission details.

What You'll Do

The Senior Associate Dean for Academic Advising and Undergraduate Studies serves as a key academic leader, advancing Tufts’ undergraduate educational mission. This role provides strategic oversight of academic advising systems, policies, and programs that shape the student experience from matriculation through graduation. The Senior Associate Dean partners closely with faculty, academic leaders, and administrative units to enhance student success, strengthen advising practices, and expand opportunities for research, fellowships, and experiential learning.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead and manage the Office of Academic Advising and Undergraduate Studies, including staff, programs, and budget oversight
• Provide strategic direction for undergraduate advising, academic policies, and student success initiatives across the School of Arts and Sciences and the College of Special Studies
• Oversee core academic functions, including academic standing, degree auditing and certification, orientation, matriculation, and student academic petitions and appeals
• Serve as Senior Associate Dean for undergraduate students, adjudicating complex academic cases, appeals, and disciplinary matters, and acting as the final appellate authority when appropriate
• Uphold and interpret undergraduate academic policies in alignment with faculty governance, applying them to complex or exceptional student situations
• Partner with faculty and academic leaders to strengthen advising systems, recruit and train advisors, and promote best practices in teaching and mentoring
• Advance student success and retention through development and assessment of programs that support diverse student populations, improve time to degree, and enhance academic achievement
• Expand high-impact opportunities for students, including undergraduate research, fellowships, and experiential learning initiatives (e.g., Undergraduate Research Fund, SPIRIT Fund)
• Chair scholarship and fellowship efforts, guiding faculty and students through nationally competitive application and selection processes
• Represent undergraduate academic affairs at major university events, including Matriculation, Commencement, Orientation, and Academic Awards ceremonies
• Collaborate across the university to improve academic policies, streamline processes, and enhance the student and faculty experience through effective use of data and technology

What We're Looking For

Application Instructions: In addition to submitting a resume, please include a cover letter (two pages maximum) that addresses the following:

• Describe your approach to advancing undergraduate student success, including advising systems, policies, or initiatives you have led.
• Share your experience partnering with faculty and academic leadership to shape advising practices and academic policy.
• Provide an example of a program or initiative you led that enhanced the undergraduate experience and its impact.

Basic Requirements:
Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• Master’s degree
• At least 10 years of progressive experience in academic advising, student success, student affairs, or faculty roles, including significant leadership and/or program management responsibilities
• Teaching experience at the college level
• Management experience in student affairs
• Experience advising or mentoring college students

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Exceptional written and oral communication, leadership, customer service, time management, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated success designing and implementing academic support or student enrichment programs
• Ability to analyze and synthesize complex data and issues
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and administration to develop programs
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence and supporting a diverse academic community

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD or other earned doctorate

Pay Range

Minimum $116,500.00, Midpoint $145,600.00, Maximum $174,800.00

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.