Dean of University College

Winston-Salem State University has retained the UNC System Office executive search team to support this recruitment. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be directed to Scott Murray, Director of Executive Search at sfmurray@northcarolina.edu. To apply, please visit https://bit.ly/WSSUDeanUC to submit a cover letter and CV/resume. Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position remains open until filled. For best consideration, please submit your application by April 16, 2026.

About the Opportunity
Winston-Salem State University ( WSSU) is looking for its next Dean of University College. The Dean of University College serves as a strategic leader responsible for cultivating a culture of academic excellence, student persistence, and comprehensive support across WSSU. As a senior member of the leadership team, the Dean provides direction for innovative, data-driven strategies that elevate student retention, degree progression, and overall success from matriculation through graduation. This includes guiding the university's expansion into AI-powered student support systems, online advising, and high-touch, holistic advising models that respond proactively to student needs.

Reporting to the Vice Provost for Student Success, the Dean oversees student-success units including Academic Advising and Retention, Learning Support Services, First and Second Year Student Experiences and Engagement, Undergraduate Completion Initiatives, and related student-support functions, ensuring their alignment and execution toward meeting institutional goals, UNC System performance metrics, and divisional strategies designed to strengthen persistence and degree completion.

About the University
Winston-Salem State University is a bold, vibrant, and diverse academic community that fosters the creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and depth of character graduates need to transform themselves and their world. These values embody our motto, "Enter to Learn. Depart to Serve." Founded in 1892, WSSU enjoys a distinguished reputation as a historically black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina that offers a rich curriculum rooted in a high-quality, liberal education. Today, WSSU serves a diverse population of nearly 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students pursuing academic degrees in the institution's 39 baccalaureate degree programs, seven master's degree programs, and two doctoral degree programs, taught by over 400 faculty members and supported by over 550 staff members. Enrollment in graduate programs is the largest in the history of the University. Our undergraduate and graduate students can choose from many innovative areas of study designed to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to develop creative solutions to today's - and tomorrow's - complex problems.


About the Team
The University College (UC) provides WSSU students with the scholastic tools they will need to succeed throughout their collegiate career and beyond. Whether it is helping first-year students get acclimated to Ram life, assisting students with their academic pathway, or helping students enhance their critical thinking skills, UC offers a full complement of academic resources to support the academic achievement of WSSU students. UC is a student-centered unit that provides excellence in advising and learning support services. UC collaborates with campus and community constituents to enhance the academic, intellectual, and interpersonal skills of students to foster a culture in which students feel empowered and able to thrive as independent thinkers in the classroom and beyond. UC departments include: Advising Services, Academic Student Experience, Learning Support Services, Success Workshops, Office of International Programs, First-Year Experience Seminar Course, Honors Program, and the Office of Undergraduate Research.

About the Role
Key job duties and responsibilities are as follows:

* Harness predictive analytics, early-alert systems, and case-management data to design proactive, high-impact intervention strategies from enrollment through graduation.
* Strategically expand Advising and Retention support for online learners, ensuring quality, accessibility, and responsiveness.
* Design and implement targeted programs for students requiring additional academic support.
* Oversee a comprehensive student onboarding and orientation experience that strengthens belonging, academic readiness, career readiness, and long-term engagement.
* Lead, mentor, and evaluate a diverse team of professional staff including professional advisors, retention specialists, learning-support staff, and student-engagement personnel.
* Optimize communication tools, advising technologies, and workflow systems that support consistent, coordinated outreach throughout the student lifecycle.
* Develop internal processes, documentation, and training that ensure efficient operations and continuous improvement across all University College units.
* Strategically manage unit budgets and operational plans; pursue external funding and grants to expand student-success initiatives.
* Partner closely with academic units to support advising alignment, general education pathways, academic plans, and early academic intervention.
* Partner with academic units to facilitate faculty career pathways mentoring and support.
* Collaborate with Enrollment Management to ensure a seamless handoff from recruitment to enrollment, with focused support for first and second year, and targeted populations.
* Represent University College and WSSU at relevant conferences, committees, and professional forums to advance institutional visibility and thought leadership.

8am-5pm with some weekend during peak seasons

* Terminal degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Educational Leadership, or a closely related discipline.
* At least five years of progressive leadership experience in higher education with a demonstrated record of improving student success, retention, and advising effectiveness.
* Experience leading or supporting online student-support programs.
* Proven ability to use data analytics, assessment tools, and technology platforms to inform decision-making.
* Proficiency with Student Information Systems ( SIS) and Student Relationship Management ( SRM) platforms; experience with Salesforce and Jenzabar preferred.
* Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and cultivate high-performing teams.
* Deep understanding of FERPA and demonstrated integrity in handling confidential student information.

* Doctoral degree in a related field.
* Experience as a faculty member or in academic leadership.
* Experience implementing AI-based student success tools, case-management systems, or advanced data platforms.

Winston-Salem State University has retained the UNC System Office executive search team to support this recruitment. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be directed to Scott Murray, Director of Executive Search at sfmurray@northcarolina.edu . To apply, please visit https://bit.ly/WSSUDeanUC to submit a cover letter and CV/resume. Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position remains open until filled. For best consideration, please submit your application by April 16, 2026.

A ll candidate names and materials will remain confidential; however, finalists invited to campus may be asked to waive confidentiality to engage with the broader campus community.


Our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated, or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for Which they may be qualified.

Please Note:
* A criminal background check will be conducted on the candidate finalist prior to the offer of employment.
* If it is determined that no applicants meet the minimum competency, education, and experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants.
* Salary will be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.
* Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. The application must be completed in full detail (including work history) for your qualifications to be considered.
* Failure to complete the application completely may result in you not being considered for the vacant position.
* Your application for the position will not be completed until you receive an online confirmation number at the end of the process of applying for a position.
* If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at OHR@wssu.edu. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodation in the application and interview process, please call 336-750-2834.