Position Summary

The Associate Dean for Students Affairs reports to the Dean of the Chicago Medical School and is responsible for all aspects of the student experience including orientation, academic and career advising, progression through medical school, student well-being and professional development, disciplinary issues, the residency match, and graduation. The Associate Dean must be responsive to the dynamic needs of the students, the institution, and the faculty, and be able to establish priorities and develop new initiatives to support student success. This individual will also serve as a thought leader and advisor to help solve complex and unique problems within the medical school.

The successful candidate will have experience working with a broad group of constituents, including students, faculty, staff, and alumnae. There must also be a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, service to others, as well as strong verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail, evidence of effective leadership, and the ability to handle multiple work demands.

Who We Are

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS) is a six-college graduate health sciences university dedicated to the interprofessional education of health and biomedical professionals. Chicago Medical School, the original college of the six, has been educating physicians and furthering biomedical research for more than 100 years. Established in 1912, the founders built a combined medical school and hospital where working men and women could study medicine at night.

As a community-based institution, CMS students experience a variety of clinical environments and models; including, inner-city and suburban hospitals, the James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center that serves U.S. military personnel, as well as private clinics and practice settings. Training focuses on positioning patients at the center of care and as an active member of the healthcare team. During student didactic training, CMS' simulation labs allow students to sharpen their interactive and communication skills and develop critical reasoning. Students have early clinical contact, experience a supportive environment, and can count on a faculty dedicated to student success.

Faculty and staff are passionate about CMS' mission to educate physicians and scientists dedicated to providing exemplary, compassionate patient care, and excellence in scientific discovery within a diverse, supportive, and interprofessional environment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Administrative/Leadership:

• Oversee the activities of the Office of Student Affairs, including: academic advising, career and leadership development, specialty advising, student well-being, and student progression.
• Oversee the activities of all Assistant Dean(s), Director(s), and staff of the Office of Student Affairs, and provide feedback, assistance, guidance, and mentoring for the professional development and optimal performance of these individuals.
• Ensure effective programs are in place for the early identification and remediation of at-risk-of-failure students.
• Present students to the Student Evaluation, Promotions, and Advancement Committee to discuss their academic progress.
• Ensure effective programs are in place to provide career counseling for medical students which best match students' interests and abilities for specialty choice and post-graduate training.
• Oversee all aspects of the residency Match process, including preparation of the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE).
• Provide final approval of all Medical Student Performance Evaluations.
• Oversee the House and Learning Community Program. Assist in recruiting and developing learning community mentors.
• Oversee academic events and programs such as new student orientation, White Coat and transition ceremonies, academic and career advising sessions, Match day, Gold Humanism Honor Society induction, and graduation.
• Implement quality improvement strategies to comply with LCME standards related to Student Affairs.
• Update the CMS Student Handbook and RFUMS Academic Catalog annually to ensure that all relevant policies and procedures are up to date.
• Monitor the budget and finances of the office. This includes forecasting throughout the year to ensure that budgets are followed, meeting with constituents to assess budgetary needs, and working in collaboration with the Dean's Office to ensure a balance between office, school and institutional needs are considered.
• Manage student data and information to create accessible and actionable reports for other campus partners while maintaining proper protection of student privacy.
• Collaborate with the University registrar to maintain accurate student records and manage all issues related to licensure for graduating students and alumnae.
• Collaborate with the University Office of Student Finance to advise students regarding debt management.
• Collaborate with the CMS Office of Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion to enhance pathway-building activities that promote the diversity, equity and inclusion goals of the medical school.
• Collaborate with the University Office of Institutional Advancement to develop programs and areas for participation of alumni in education and professional development programs for students.

Internal/External Committees:

• Participate in retreats and committees, such as the Student Admissions Committee and the Student Evaluation, Promotion and Awards Committee (SEPAC) to facilitate optimal integration and representation of student academic and nonacademic performance achievements and concerns.
• Represent Chicago Medical School at national and regional student events/medical education organizations and relevant meetings. These may include, but are not limited to, the AAMC Annual Meeting and AAMC Group on Student Affairs.
• Participate in the preparation for and the execution of LCME accreditation site visits.
• Serve as a member of the Dean's Executive Council and Dean's Cabinet.

Student Experience:

• Ensure personal and academic counseling programs are available for students on a wide variety of topics and challenges that may arise during medical school.
• Provide individualized counseling to students as needed.
• In collaboration with the RFU Office of Student Affairs and Inclusion, provide optimal support of student life both on and off campus, including wellness and health services, disability services and coordination, and crisis intervention and management.
• Meet at least monthly with student leadership to address student concerns and update students on issues related to the student experience.
• Oversee the process for student discipline, academic remediation, and professionalism concerns in partnership with the Assistant Dean(s)/Director(s) for Student Affairs and SEPAC.
• Serve as a student advocate before major committees that impact student performance and advancement.
• Collaborate with all those responsible for the academic program to ensure smooth coordination and optimal student progress.
• Serve as a resource to students and support approved student initiatives that benefit the medical school community.
• Write letters of recommendation as needed and nominate students for honors, scholarships, and special programs.

Other Duties:

• Serve as a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
• Demonstrate a personal commitment to advancing diversity in medicine.
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of a reliable system to address student grievances, mistreatment, microaggressions, and bias.
• Other duties as assigned by the CMS Dean.

Conditions of Employment

• Must achieve satisfactory results from a background check.
• Must have proof of COVID 19 vaccination or a university approved exemption.

Required Education & Experience

• Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Education (EdD), Doctor of Pharmacy or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), with Board Certification (as applicable) in their specialty.
• Experience serving in an Assistant Dean position or equivalent administrative position within a medical school or healthcare setting.
• 3 years of experience working in a medical school or healthcare setting.
• Significant experience in managing a diverse staff
• Experience with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and/or other accrediting bodies.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Must have a passion for medical education.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills to aid in developing strong relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, external audiences and potential partners.
• An empathy for student concerns with a willingness to listen to, understand, and advocate on their behalf.
• Technological skills to manage and enhance database systems used in medical education.
• Strong organizational skills to manage various stakeholders and initiatives.
• Adept at relationship building and the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external local, regional, and national partners.
• Demonstrated trustworthiness, integrity, and exceptional character.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 years' experience in a medical school setting.
  
• 5 years' experience in medical education administration.
  

Typical Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Consistent with those found in a formal academic institution office environment.
• Selected candidate must have the mental and physical capabilities to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

EOE, Including Disability / Vets