Dean of Student Engagement

Luther College

Dean of Student Engagement

Luther College (Decorah, Ia.)  invites applications, expressions of interest, and nominations of candidates in its search for the newly created position of Dean of Student Engagement. Luther seeks a student-centric and collaborative leader with a deep and abiding commitment to the College’s mission and values.

The Dean will join Luther at an unprecedented time in higher education and the institution’s history. Reporting to a new Provost, the Dean will work in concert with President Jenifer K. Ward, a highly dedicated and student-focused faculty and staff, a bright and engaged student body, and a vibrant and supportive campus community. The Dean will have strong and energized partners in support of student success. 

Luther enrolls about 1,800 students and is ranked among the nation’s top liberal arts institutions. The College is a Phi Beta Kappa campus nationally recognized for its engaging Paideia program, the number of students awarded prestigious Rhodes and Fulbright scholarships, and the percentage of students who study abroad. Luther’s identity as a college in the Lutheran tradition (ELCA) and its membership in the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (NECU) mark it as a community that is both rooted and open. Neither sectarian nor secular, Luther College shapes lives of meaning and purpose in service to the neighbor.

Luther College’s central campus is situated on nearly 200 acres of limestone bluff country, and in the heart of Decorah. Decorah is recognized regularly and on national platforms for its outstanding quality of life. With a population of 8,000, the town offers plentiful recreation; a charming downtown with numerous restaurants, coffeehouses, craft breweries, an independent bookstore, and a nationally recognized museum of Norwegian-American culture; natural beauty; and a close-knit community—all while providing the conveniences of a city many times its size. The town is an extension of campus.

The Dean of Student Engagement position is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the reimagining of the academic affairs and student life structure at Luther College. The Dean will report to the newly created Provost position. The Dean will have oversight of seven units and will lead a staff of 37 with seven direct reports. The Dean will address the following opportunities and challenges: support and engage the student body through transitions; partner, communicate, and collaborate across the College in support of student success; bring vision and innovation to programming and outreach; champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); and support and develop staff.

The Dean of Student Engagement will bring deep experience engaging with college students coupled with a forward-looking lens, a strong work ethic, and a collegial spirit. The successful candidate will possess a master’s degree with grounding in student development theory or a related field in student affairs. The full position description is available at: https://assets.storbecksearch.com/files/resources/luthercoll-studentengagement-pd.pdf

For best consideration, please send all confidential nominations, inquiries, and expressions of interest as soon as possible to:

Julie E. Tea, Partner   

Lindsay Allison, Senior Associate

Storbeck Search

LutherDSE@storbecksearch.com

For more information, please visit Luther College’s home page at www.luther.edu. 

Luther College seeks to build a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students. Luther College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.