Pay Grade: 31E

Context of the Job:

Under the general direction of the Director Student Advocacy and Support/ Associate Dean of Students the Assistant Dean of Students, Veteran and Military-Connected Student Support provides leadership for University initiatives and the retention and success of the veteran and military-connected student population. This position works closely with key stakeholders across the University to meet the needs and promote the success of students.

The Assistant Dean of Students for Veteran and Military-Connected Student Support facilitates student success by working alongside students to develop self-advocacy skills, encourages campus engagement, and provides thoughtful interventions. The AD will assist on initiatives to further UD’s diverse, inclusive, and welcoming campus environment for students and ensures a positive educational experience for students as well as promoting the recognition and appreciation of veterans on campus. The AD collaborates with other offices to develop programs that enhance the quality of veterans and military-connected student life, promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, and respond to student concerns. The AD is expected to be available to staff and students outside regular business hours, for evening and weekend events, or other critical times.

Major Responsibilities:

● Oversee the certification and verification of enrollment for GI Bill Educational Benefits using required Veterans Administration (VA) process. Designated as the “School Certifying Official” for the university within the VA.

● Supervise the School Certifying Official

● Work to ensure that the University of Delaware is a military-friendly school and meets the needs of its students who serve or have served in the military.

● Interact with providers of financial assistance for military personnel using tuition assistance.

● Serve as campus contact for veterans and military-connected students.

● Refer and proactively connect veterans and military-connected students to appropriate university offices, and State and community resources, to support their specific needs (e.g. housing, counseling, health services, academic support, etc.).

● Meet with veterans, dependents, and their families during the enrollment process to help them understand the GI Bill and Veterans Affairs regulations.

● Coordinate with Student Financial Services (SFS) around certification dates and financial aid disbursement.

● Work with veterans and military-connected students to understand the interdependencies of certification and aid. Coordinate messaging to veterans and military-connected students with SFS.

● Advise the activities and development of Blue Hen Veterans, UD’s Chapter of Student Veterans of America.

● Raise awareness and advocate for student veterans on campus and within the community, including interacting with state and federal governmental leaders.

● Explore/write grants and work with UD Development and Alumni Relations, both directly and indirectly, on fund raising with veterans and for student veteran support.

● Lead and coordinate veteran and military connect event planning (i.e., room reservations, catering, marketing, and promotion; prepare and order materials and resources) for conferences, meetings, co-curricular and curricular programming, orientation events, resource fairs, and additional annual and new events. Many of these events will be in collaboration with the Blue Hen Veterans.

● Serve as a Case Resolution Manager for Community Standards & Conflict Resolution.

● Participate in professional development and growth opportunities to maintain current knowledge of student development and student learning research, theory and practice that best serve the needs of students.

● Recommend and participate in the development of University policies and procedures.

● Represent Student Advocacy and Support at campus-wide functions including the occasional evening and weekend events.

● Assist with office operations for Student Advocacy & Support as needed.

● Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

● Master's degree in higher education, student personnel, counseling services or other related fields and three years of full-time professional experience working with college students.

● Prior U.S. military service and knowledge of VA Educational Benefits highly desired.

● Ability to relate to veterans, build trust and advocate for them.

● Commitment to and knowledge of equity, diversity, inclusion, multicultural, and LGBTQ+ issues.

● Possess the highest degree of integrity and maturity due to the sensitive, confidential nature of student records.

● Outstanding organizational skills and able to work independently and collaboratively.

● Ability to take initiative for projects and development of services.

● Independent judgment to plan, prioritize and organize a diversified workload with attention to detail.

● Ability to collaborate and work successfully in a team environment.

● Excellent oral, written, presentation and customer service skills, and the ability to interact well with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds, including families of veteran dependents.

● Ability to manage and adhere to tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks simultaneously, effective problem-solving skills.

● Knowledge of University policies, procedures, and curriculum beneficial.

● Experience with PeopleSoft Student Administration, COGNOS, and Microsoft Office tools highly desired.