Dean of Student Affairs

Department: Student Affairs

Reports to: President

Positions Managed: Director of Student Affairs, Coordinator of Residence Life, Residence Directors/Coordinators

Position Overview:

Cabinet-Level Leadership Opportunity

Bethany College seeks an energetic, collaborative, and mission-driven leader to serve as Dean of Student Affairs, a cabinet-level position central to advancing the College’s mission and strategic priorities. Grounded in Bethany’s Lutheran identity and liberal arts tradition, the Dean will help cultivate a campus environment in which students are known, supported, challenged, and prepared for lives of faith, learning, and service. In Bethany’s distinctive residential community in Lindsborg, Kansas, the Dean will help shape a student experience marked by belonging, growth, accountability, and care.

Reporting to the President and serving on the President’s Cabinet and campus-wide leadership team, the Dean of Student Affairs will provide strategic oversight for student life, student conduct, and campus safety, while helping lead institution-wide efforts related to student experience, well-being, belonging, and retention. Working in close partnership with colleagues across the College, the Dean will ensure that student affairs programs and practices are aligned with Bethany’s mission and guided by clear goals, assessment, and measurable outcomes.

The strongest candidates will be builders—leaders ready to apply their expertise actively and collaboratively to create an innovative and inclusive student affairs area within a small residential college, where every student counts and every member of the community is needed to build and sustain the best possible campus experience. The successful candidate will be a thoughtful, compassionate leader and skilled administrator who can build strong teams, strengthen systems, and turn vision into daily practice in ways that positively affect student experience, persistence, and success. This is a 12-month, live-on-campus position with evening and weekend responsibilities.

Essential Functions:

Strategic Leadership and Institutional Collaboration

• Serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet and contribute to institutional strategy, policy development, and campus leadership.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives that strengthen student retention, persistence, and engagement.
• Partner with Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, Athletics, Spiritual Life, and Student Success to ensure a cohesive student experience from recruitment through graduation.
• Develop and implement systems for assessment and continuous improvement of student life programs and services.
• Contribute to institutional efforts that strengthen campus belonging, leadership development, and student well-being.

Student Life and Residential Experience

Provide leadership for the core elements of student life that shape the residential experience at Bethany College, including:

Residence Life and Housing

• Foster a residential environment that promotes responsibility, personal growth, and community.
• Supervise housing operations and residence life staff while building a culture of care and accountability
• Supervise summer housing opportunities
• Coordinate and assist with check-in and check-out of residence halls
• Maintain the Student Handbook, and its development and enforcement in coordination with the Director of Student Affairs

Dining Services

• Partner with dining leadership to ensure a welcoming and student-centered dining experience that supports community life.

Student Activities and Campus Programming

• Oversee campus programming, clubs, and student organizations.
• Encourage a vibrant co-curricular environment that promotes student engagement and belonging.

Enrollment Days and Valkommen Weekend

• Assist with enrollment days, Valkommen Weekend, and Summer Programming Housing needs
• Supervise Valkommen weekend events and work closely with the Director of Core Education to help students successfully transition to Bethany and build early connections.

Student Leadership and Engagement

• Develop programs that cultivate student leadership, responsibility, and civic engagement.
• Serve as advisor to key student organizations as needed.
• Support student organizations and campus leadership initiatives.
• Encourage opportunities for students to connect with and contribute to the Lindsborg and Smoky Valley community.

Student Care, Conduct, and Well-Being

• Oversee the student conduct system, ensuring policies are administered fairly and with an educational focus.
• Coordinate campus approaches to student care, crisis response, and behavioral intervention.
• Lead the Campus Safety committee in all its initiatives, including updating the Emergency Management plan for campus and employee trainings
• Work collaboratively with campus partners to strengthen student mental health and wellness resources.
• Serve as a central advocate for students navigating personal or community challenges.
• Respond to emergencies and participate in an on-call rotation with the Director of Student Affairs.
• Is responsible for completing required reporting, including Clery and Hazing reports.

Student Success and Retention

• Collaborate with the Student Success Center and Academic Affairs to support student persistence and graduation.
• Use data, assessment, and student feedback to guide improvements in the student experience.
• Develop programs that help students connect their Bethany experience with career goals, vocation, and life preparation.
• Coordinate student of concern outreach based on the early alert system or concerns brought forth by fellow students or employees

Community and Campus Culture

• Foster a campus culture grounded in respect, curiosity, and shared responsibility.
• Strengthen initiatives that promote campus belonging and student engagement. This position will directly advise the Swede Government Association.
• Support programs that connect students with the local community and regional partners.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of responsibility and essential functions of this position, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other areas to cover absences or provide relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, or a related field required or in process toward completion.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in student affairs or related areas in higher education, preferably in a residential college setting.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience, including leading, mentoring, and evaluating staff.
• Experience with student conduct, crisis response, behavioral intervention, and collaboration related to campus safety and student well-being.
• Demonstrated ability to use assessment, student feedback, and institutional data to improve student experience, belonging, and retention.
• Knowledge of student development theory and current best practices in student affairs.
• Working knowledge of FERPA, Title IX, ADA, and other relevant student affairs compliance responsibilities.
• Strong budget, organizational, and operational management skills.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners.
• Demonstrated success working collaboratively across campus divisions in support of student success.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, engaging, and mission-aligned student experience at a small residential liberal arts college.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, lead with sound judgment, and work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative leadership team.

Preferred:

• Doctorate in higher education, student affairs, counseling, leadership, or related field, in hand or in process, preferred.
• Experience working in small colleges or rural higher education environments.
• Familiarity with the mission and values of faith-based higher education, especially Lutheran higher education.
• Willingness and ability to live on campus and participate fully in the life of the College.
• Experience partnering with athletics programs, preferably within the NAIA.
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus.

Key Leadership Qualities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Energy and enthusiasm for building and improving student programs
• A commitment to professionalizing and assessing student life initiatives
• A student-centered approach grounded in care, accountability, and growth
• The ability to build strong partnerships across the campus community
• A passion for helping students grow as leaders and individuals
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus, or some knowledge of the Spanish language is a plus

Why Bethany:

Founded in 1881, Bethany College is a dynamic liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas—known as “Little Sweden U.S.A.” Bethany provides a transformative educational experience grounded in faith, learning, and community. The College is dedicated to cultivating leaders who serve and inspire through integrity, creativity, and purpose.

Education at Bethany is rooted in intellectual discovery and a deep sense of belonging, equipping students to think critically, lead ethically, and serve with purpose. As a small, private, rural college, Bethany plays an essential role in renewing civic life, expanding opportunity, and fostering community revitalization. We believe in the value of personalized liberal arts education, the power of community, and the promise of rural America. At Bethany, you'll have the opportunity to inspire the next generation while contributing to the cultural and academic life of our campus and region as we prepare students to make meaningful contributions to the world.

Why Lindsborg, KS

Lindsborg, Kansas, is a thriving small town with a vibrant fine arts and music scene located 15 miles from Salina, KS, and an hour and 20 minutes from Wichita, the largest city in the state. Lindsborg and Bethany College have a long and storied history in the fine and performing arts, athletics, and education for the Smoky Valley region. To learn more about Lindsborg, visit Welcome to Lindsborg Kansas - Little Sweden USA - Home Page

Working Conditions:

The Dean will primarily work from the office at Bethany College and is a 12-month, live-on-campus position. On location, work is generally performed indoors with ambient room temperatures, lighting, and traditional office equipment as found in a typical office environment, although some events are held outdoors. Evenings and weekends are required. Will travel to assigned locations around campus.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans
• Generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Tuition remission benefits
• Professional Development Funds
• Possible Relocation Assistance
• Opportunities for professional development and leadership growth
• Supportive, mission-driven community and a beautiful campus environment

How to Apply:

• Apply online at Employment
• Submit resume and cover letter

EEO:

Bethany College, an institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

This policy reflects Bethany College's mission to educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning, and service. This commitment to equal employment opportunities strengthens our community and enhances our ability to fulfill our educational mission.