Associate Vice President and Dean of Students

Southern Methodist University (SMU) seeks an experienced and dedicated student-centered leader to serve as its Associate Vice President and Dean of Students (AVP-DOS). Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, the AVP-DOS provides strategic vision and executive oversight for a comprehensive portfolio that promotes student health, safety, wellbeing, advocacy, and success. This is an exciting time to join SMU and the Division of Student Affairs, as the institution continues its ascent towards excellence across the academic, research, teaching, and athletic enterprises, as well as ongoing enhancements to the overall student experience. SMU is experiencing growth and momentum, including expanding undergraduate, transfer, and graduate student populations, increasing national visibility, and the upcoming implementation of an ambitious new strategic plan. The AVP-DOS will play a central role in ensuring that student support systems and wellbeing initiatives evolve alongside the university's continued growth and rising national profile.

Founded in 1911, SMU is a private research university with a focus on global impact, educating more than 12,500 students (approximately 7,500 undergraduate and 5,000 graduate) studying across seven degree-granting schools. Now in its second century, SMU is broadly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty, staff, and alumni to be ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. Over the last three decades, SMU has expanded its reach and reputation both nationally and globally, enrolling increasingly high-achieving students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries.

The Division of Student Affairs at SMU plays a central role in shaping a transformative student experience, fostering an environment where students are empowered to thrive academically, socially, personally, and professionally. Guided by a mission to create purposeful learning and leadership opportunities, the division partners across the university to support student success, wellbeing, engagement, and belonging. The collective work of student affairs cultivates the skills students need to become impactful leaders and “world changers.”

The AVP-DOS oversees areas central to ensuring the health, wellbeing, and safety of SMU students, including Student Conduct & Community Standards, Student Advocacy & Support, the Dr. Bob Smith Student Health Center, and Campus Recreation and Wellbeing Education. As a key member of the Student Affairs senior leadership team, the AVP-DOS collaborates across the institution to address complex student needs, lead critical incident and crisis response efforts, ensure regulatory compliance, and advance divisional and university priorities. The AVP-DOS will also partner closely with SMU's schools to support students and ensure that student support resources, wellbeing initiatives, crisis response protocols, conduct and community standards, and student success efforts effectively serve the needs of both undergraduate and graduate populations.

The SMU community is highly engaged, collaborative, and inventive, and staff pride themselves on providing a high-touch student experience. The ideal candidate is a highly approachable leader who combines strategic thinking with a deep commitment to student wellbeing, fostering a culture where every student feels supported and empowered to succeed. They will bring demonstrated success leading complex student affairs teams, navigating critical incidents with confidence, and building strong partnerships across campus to address student needs. Most importantly, they will be a highly visible and engaged leader who uses their position, relationships, and influence to help students navigate challenges, access support, and succeed. They will combine decisive leadership, strong supervision, and a deep commitment to student wellbeing with an authentic desire to engage students directly, support talented staff, and advance both student success and the university's broader mission.

Southern Methodist University has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist with this important search. All applications, nominations, and inquiries are welcome. Applications should include a cover letter and a CV/resume.

Keight Tucker Kennedy is leading this search with Ivan Ceballos and Alexis Scott.

SMU will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, education activity, or admissions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. SMU’s commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.