Uc Santa Cruz Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Another Source's client, University of California, Santa Cruz, is recruiting an Assistant Dean of Students, Leadership & Involvement to join their Student Affairs & Success team in Santa Cruz, California. This is a hybrid leadership opportunity with relocation assistance available. 

If you're a student affairs leader who thrives on building community, developing leaders, and creating transformative student experiences, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact at one of California's most distinctive public universities. As the inaugural leader of UC Santa Cruz's newly established Center for Leadership & Involvement, you'll help foster connection, belonging, and Banana Slug pride through experiences that engage students from their first day on campus through graduation. 

Here's a little about UC Santa Cruz: 

UC Santa Cruz is a globally recognized public research university known for its innovative spirit, interdisciplinary approach to learning, and commitment to student success. Nestled among California's redwood forests overlooking Monterey Bay, UC Santa Cruz serves a diverse student community in an environment that values creativity, social responsibility, and academic excellence. 

The Division of Student Affairs & Success (DSAS) includes nearly 800 professional staff and more than 2,100 student employees dedicated to supporting the whole student. Grounded in educational equity and a deep commitment to belonging, the division partners across campus to create an environment where every student feels welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed.  

As part of this commitment, UC Santa Cruz recently established the Center for Leadership & Involvement, bringing together key student engagement programs to create a more connected and intentional student experience. 

About this role: 

This is a rare opportunity to shape the student experience at UC Santa Cruz. As the inaugural Assistant Dean of Students, Leadership & Involvement, you will establish the vision and strategic direction for the newly created Center for Leadership & Involvement - a campus-wide hub designed to help every Banana Slug build meaningful connections, develop as a leader, and find a sense of belonging from orientation through graduation. 

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor & Dean of Students, you'll provide executive leadership for two cornerstone departments: SOMeCA (Student Organization Advising & Resources, Media, Cultural Arts & Diversity) and the Office of Transitions & Involvement. Together, these teams create many of the defining experiences that shape student life at UC Santa Cruz. 

Your portfolio spans student leadership development, more than student organizations and campus involvement opportunities, orientation and transition programs, family engagement, student media, cultural arts programming, and campus traditions. You'll bring these functions together under a unified vision, ensuring students have meaningful opportunities to connect with one another, engage with campus life, develop leadership skills, and cultivate lifelong Banana Slug pride. 

Working collaboratively with colleagues across Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, Housing, Undergraduate Education, and Academic Affairs, you'll help create an integrated student engagement ecosystem that strengthens belonging, supports retention, and enhances the overall student experience. You'll also serve as a visible campus leader, engaging directly with students and representing the university in conversations surrounding student engagement, campus climate, leadership development, and student success. 

How You Will Spend Your Time 

Strategic Leadership & Vision 

• Provide strategic leadership for the Center for Leadership & Involvement, establishing a long-term vision that advances student engagement, belonging, leadership development, and co-curricular learning.  

• Develop organizational goals, assessment strategies, and continuous improvement initiatives that align with university priorities.  

• Advise senior university leadership on student engagement, leadership development, orientation, transition programs, family engagement, and the broader student experience.  

• Lead organizational planning, change management, assessment, and innovation across the Center.  

Department Leadership & Student Engagement 

• Provide executive leadership for the Office of Transitions & Involvement and SOMeCA (Student Organization Advising & Resources, Media, Cultural Arts & Diversity).  

• Directly supervise department directors while supporting the growth and success of their teams. 

• Create a cohesive student engagement ecosystem that strengthens connection, belonging, and leadership throughout the student experience.  

• Provide strategic oversight for:  

• New student orientation and transition programs  

• Leadership development initiatives  

• Student organizations and Greek life  

• Student media  

• Cultural arts and diversity programming  

• Family engagement initiatives  

• Ensure programs are inclusive, student-centered, and aligned with student development best practices.  

Campus Leadership & Collaboration