Job Details

Dean, Student Success & Support Programs

Position Number: 6545685
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Position Type: Student Affairs and Services

Dean, Student Success & Support Programs

Cuesta College

Salary: $141,516.00 - $172,008.00 Annually
Job Type:
Job Number: FY2526-00038
Location: San Luis Obispo & North County Campus, CA
Department: Student Success & Support Programs
Closing: 9/30/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description Summary

The Dean of Student Success and Support Programs is responsible for the following programs: Academic Counseling, Admissions, Student Records & Registration, Financial Aid & Veteran Services, Disability Student Programs & Services (DSPS), Student Health Services, Career and Transfer Center Services, and Outreach & Enrollment Services at all locations

DEFINITION

Under general direction of the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Success and Support Programs, College Centers, the Dean of Student Success and Support Programs provides leadership for areas of assigned responsibility in the Student Success and Support Program cluster and develops comprehensive and effective student support services throughout the district. The Dean leads and oversees program planning, review, assessment and improvement, provides linkages with county organizations and agencies; serves on the President's Cabinet; and performs other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Dean, Student Success and Support Programs position is distinguished from other positions by the requirement to direct and provide leadership for areas of assigned responsibility, within the Student Success and Support Programs cluster, including assessment of needs and development of long-range plans. The Dean implements the philosophy and policies of the district and works effectively with other divisions and departments to support the district's mission, vision and values and to achieve institutional goals and objectives.

Incumbents in this position support program outcomes, student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness by maintaining program currency, conducting program-related research and assessment and implementing identified improvements.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE
Located in the heart of scenic San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. Committed to being an inclusive institution that inspires a diverse student population to achieve their educational goals, we are proud to be designated as an Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education. Cuesta College is committed to racial and socioeconomic diversity that reflects our student population; we strive to hire candidates that share the value of commitment to diversity and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified staff, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.

Additional information about the college can be found at
https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html
The college planning documents can be found at
https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html
Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at
https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/equity/index.html
We offer comprehensive benefit options. Information about benefits can be found at
https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/benefits-insurance/index.html

Essential Functions & Qualifications

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Provide leadership for student success and support programs and college centers; perform duties and functions as a member of the Student Success and Support Programs Leadership Team;
Implement the policies of the San Luis Obispo County Community College District and ensure operations are aligned with district mission, vision, values and institutional goals and objectives;
Lead development of college enrollment programs and activities through close collaboration with Instruction, outreach and engagement with local k-12 schools, community-based organizations, businesses, Chambers of Commerce, America's Job Centers, military bases and other. Develop and/or expand partnerships with businesses, community-based organizations and other partners to explore avenues for course offerings, outreach and enrollment;
Direct and provide leadership for areas of assigned responsibility within Student Success and Support Programs and College Centers operations; supervise on and off campus activities related to each program; Authorize and coordinate use of facilities and equipment;
Provide leadership to faculty and staff in assigned areas;
Ensure effective student access to and quality of services on all sites and on-line through coordination and consultation with district administration, managers, faculty, and staff;
Report regularly on areas of responsibility to the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President Student Success and Support Programs;
Working with the Grants office, research and apply for grant/categorical funding opportunities to support the work of the college;
Lead the management of program budgets and ensure all requirements are met for expenditures of categorical/grant allocations, including maintenance of effort (MOE) contributions;
Recommend for hire, assign, supervise, and evaluate student success and support programs faculty and staff;
Lead programs/services in completing Annual Program Planning and Review and in conducting Comprehensive Program Planning and Review;
Lead programs/services in establishing program outcomes, student learning outcomes and outcomes assessment;
Research changes and innovations in programs including the identification and use of learning outcomes, onboarding, student support, maintaining currency of emerging models and lead the exploration of program improvements;
Oversee accurate and complete management information system (MIS) reporting;
Develop and implement programs and services aligned with Student Equity & Achievement and Guided Pathways practices;
Maintain currency in technology and coordinate the implementation of computer applications with the Information Technology Department to remain current and effective in meeting students' needs;
Collect and analyze programs/services specific data in collaboration with the Office of Research; Develop and administer periodic student data reports; implement program changes based on evidence and researched best practices;
Represent the college in the community through community contacts, special off-campus events, and memberships in community organizations;
Participate in college governance and provide leadership for district committees and district planning activities;
Coordinate with the Cuesta College Foundation to promote philanthropic contributions to the district/program;
Maintain compliance with local, state and federal guidelines related to student success programs;
Maintain currency in local, state, and federal trends to forecast services and related modifications of current practices;
Represent the district in regional and statewide professional organizations and activities, professional conferences, workshops and webinars;
Provide for and assist in the design and implementation of activities to promote and support professional development of faculty and staff within their respective fields;
Perform such additional duties as may be assigned by the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Success and Support Programs, College Centers including direct responsibility for the development, supervision, and evaluation of programs as appropriate;

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Required

Must meet the minimum qualifications for an educational administrator (pursuant to Title 5, Section 53420):
Possession of a master's degree; and
One year of formal training, internship, or leadership experience reasonably related to the administrator's administrative assignment.

Knowledge and Experience:

Preferred

Working knowledge of higher education student services, programs, and processes which are of special value to disadvantaged, underrepresented, and nontraditional students;
Two years or more of previous employment in student support services at the community college level;
Management or leadership experience;
Experience with academic counseling, student activities or student engagement;
Experience with student success activities/retention/interventions;
Budget management;
Legal requirements for accommodating community college students with disabilities;
Current technologies, integrated software systems, website management, automated delivery systems for students, personal computer and associated office software such as word processing/spreadsheets and/or database software;
Bilingual Spanish skills;
Correct usage of English, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.

Ability to:

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties;
Manage multiple programs with varying program requirements/mandates;
Provide district leadership in the achievement of institutional goals and objectives;
Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities.

Physical ability to:

Read and comprehend printed matter and text and data on computer monitors;
Communicate intelligibly and effectively via speech, telephone, written correspondence, and/or email;
Sit or stand for extended periods of time;
Lift and/or carry 25 pounds;
Exert manual dexterity sufficient for keyboard and other office equipment operation;
Work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations.

License and Certificates (current within the last year):

Required

Valid driver's license and eligible to obtain California driver's license upon hire.

Additional Information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY
Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred.

Cover letter;
Resume;
Reference List (see further instructions below);
Diversity statement (see further instructions below).

Diversity Statement Instructions: Cuesta College is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects and honors the diversity of our students. It is important to us that our faculty, staff, and administrators demonstrate an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds as well as sexual orientation and abilities of all constituents in the Cuesta College community.

In 500 words or less, with consideration to our Mission Statement and our values expressed above, please explain how you will demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in this position.

Reference List Instructions: Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.

Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position. LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.

San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety. This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years. You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices: on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours. You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/publicsafety/clery_act

Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html

Interview Process Information

Selected applicants will be invited to attend a Zoom interview on Thursday, October 22, 2025.

Second interviews will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cuesta

The San Luis Obispo County Community College District promotes inclusiveness, prohibits discrimination, and encourages all qualified persons to apply. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, Cuesta College actively seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds to assist students, staff, and faculty. For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) assistance with the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office: (805) 546-3129.