Associate Dean of Students Retention

Associate Dean of Students for Retention

The Texas Lutheran University Division of Student Affairs invites applicants for a full-time Associate Dean of Students. This role provides strategic leadership for student persistence, engagement, and success initiatives across the institution. Reporting to the Dean of Students, this role oversees programs, policies, and partnerships designed to improve retention, progression, and graduation rates, with particular attention to historically underserved and at-risk student populations.

This person also serves as one of the University's Deputy Title IX Coordinators responsible for the administration of the University’s commitment to Title IX education of all incoming students. This position works with Human Resources to ensure compliance with Title IX investigations.

• Participate in the implementation of strategic goals for the division that support TLU's institutional strategic plan.
• Administer and supervise Student Affairs departments and staff as assigned by the VPASA.
• Lead the development, implementation, and assessment of institution-wide retention strategies.
• Analyze student success and persistence data to identify trends, gaps, and intervention points.
• Collaborate with academic affairs, enrollment management, advising, athletics, and institutional research to align retention efforts.
• Oversee centralized case management and care teams.
• Serve as primary point of escalation for complex student situations.
• Coordinate wraparound support across academic and student services.
• Support coordinated care for students experiencing academic, financial, personal, or social barriers.
• Develop proactive outreach and support programs for first-year, transfer, first-generation, student athletes, Veteran/dependent, and other high-need students.
• Supervise retention-focused programs such as orientation, first-year experience, and success coaching.
• Manage program budgets, assessment plans, and staffing.
• Establish metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of retention initiatives.
• Prepare reports for senior leadership on retention outcomes and trends.
• Use evidence-based practices to guide continuous improvement.
• Coordinate and oversee the development and implementation of annual assessments.
• Serve as a Deputy Title IX Coordinator.
• Administer compliance software in conjunction with Human Resources to ensure Federal requirements are being met for all incoming students to the University.
• Other duties as assigned

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, student affairs, counseling, or related field (doctorate preferred).
• Five (5) years or more of significant experience in student affairs, retention (including athletics), advising, or student success.
• Demonstrated success using data to inform retention strategies.
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of a liberal arts university.
• Ability to demonstrate administrative skills and personnel management.
• Experience with non-scholarship student athletics.
• Familiarity with early alert systems, CRM platforms, or student success technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to administer a budget.
• Ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated decision making based on university policy and precedent.
• Ability to effectively establish rapport, build relationships, and mentor a diverse student body.
• Ability to read, understand and explain policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends, if necessary.
• Understand and support the mission of Texas Lutheran University.

Salary and benefits are competitive, including:

Texas Lutheran University, an accredited university affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is located 35 miles from downtown San Antonio. For more information about TLU, consult our web site .edu.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a TLU application, resume, cover letter, and the contact information for at least three professional references to:

A TLU application is mandatory for all TLU applicants. Position will remain open until filled. Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until an appointment is made.

Texas Lutheran University (TLU) is an official U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” selection among regional colleges in the West, ranking fourth on the list for “Best Value,” third for “Best Colleges for Veterans,” and eighth overall. This is the eleventh consecutive year TLU has been featured in the U.S. News and World Report rankings. Other notable recognitions include TLU’s acknowledgment as a “Best Southwest” school by The Princeton Review.

The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and is also subject to the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA).