Director/Assistant Dean of Student Services

The Director of Pharmacy Student Services (DPSS) leads the College’s effort to support students’ academic and professional development. The DPSS works closely with the administrative team of the College and with the Touro University California Student Affairs staff to achieve the student-related mission and goals of the University and the College. The DPSS is a member of the College of Pharmacy (COP) Leadership Team and functions as a student advocate. The DPSS must demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to the professional development of student pharmacists. To be successful, the DPSS must possess strong organizational, interpersonal, communication, and crisis management skills. In additional to the skills identified above, the following are important to being successful in this position: the ability to identify and solve problems; knowledge and good judgment on professionalism issues; high ethical and professional conduct; excellent writing, speaking and computer skills; crisis management skills, reliability in maintaining confidential information; student/customer service skills; the ability to work effectively with diverse groups including administrators, faculty, staff and students; and the ability to manage people. The DPSS may contribute to the teaching mission of the College, depending on their training and experience.

Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the COP student interface related to academic and professional issues. This includes the following activities:

Related to student development:

• Oversee the coordination of major COP events such as Orientation, White Coat Ceremony, End of the Year Banquet, Career Day, Interview Day, Pinning Ceremony, and Commencement
• Oversee pharmacy student professional organizations
• Provide guidance for student pharmacist coordinated activities and events
• Provide support for COP professional student development
• Assign student advisee lists to faculty members
• Respond to student problems with appropriate counseling and/or triage to the appropriate university services
• Work closely with other university departments and resources to provide faculty with timely information about student-related issues such as ADA accommodations, remediation and immunization status
• Works collaboratively with the College of Pharmacy’s Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to advise students of their academic status.
• Counsel students when they receive letters of probation, failure of a course, remediation, etc.
• Maintains an ordered, accurate, and secure system of student records
• Develops policies and procedures for handling/resolving student problems
• Facilitates lines of communication between the administration, faculty and students to ensure a culture of mutual respect and professionalism

Related to student awards and recognition:

• Oversee the COP scholarship program
• Provide student data for scholarship selection, Rho Chi membership, the Dean’s List, residency selection and other student honors

Related to general administration:

• Participate in the exam day process according to the current exam day procedure/policy
• Demonstrate knowledge of the policies of the College and University that impact students and provide leadership in the enforcement of these policies
• Assist with changes in student policy documents such as the College of Pharmacy Student Handbook and the university catalog
• Prepare and represent the “Student” section in accreditation reports, visits, assessment updates, and strategic plans
• Provide student data as needed to the leadership team and other stakeholders to facilitate evidence-based decision making
• Work with relevant university stakeholders (e.g. Registrar, Office of Financial Aid) to assure the completeness and accuracy of data relating to student demographics and information for reporting purposes
• Act as a student advocate, administrative support, and liaison to the COP Academic Standards Committee
• Serve as the College’s liaison to the TUC Vice Provost and Dean of Student Affairs, the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, and the Associate Dean of Enrollment Management.
• Establish and maintain an open communication with the University Compliance Officer
• Working with the TUC Alumni Office, facilitate the maintenance of COP alumni databases, as well as assist in promoting alumni relations, fundraising, and events
• Represent the College in university, community, and professional activities as assigned by the Dean
• Serve as an advisor and mentor to select members of the leadership team and faculty as assigned by the Dean
• Serve as the College representative on the university’s Campus Assistance, Response, and Evaluation (CARE) team and assist in the team’s coordination of services
• Serve as the College representative on the university’s commencement and orientation planning committees
• Perform other duties, as appropriate and assigned by the Dean
• Serves as a member of the COP Leadership Team, and as an ex officio member of the Admissions and Curriculum Committees
• Liaison with University Student Affairs, University Registrar, Office of Financial Aid, Office of the Bursar, Student Success Center, and the Accommodation and Resource Center

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES (if applicable): should reflect who the employee is supervising and what the expectations are.

• Oversee the activities and responsibilities of staff support assigned to the Office of Pharmacy Student Services.

Education: The DPSS must have an earned Master’s degree or higher in higher education administration, student affairs, educational leadership, educational counseling, public administration or a relevant academic discipline from an accredited university/college. A demonstrated record of training/experience in the following areas is required: student counseling and student support services.

CORE COMPETENCIES: identify the behavior an employee is expected to demonstrate.

• Demonstrated record of interest and commitment to student development.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collegially with students, faculty, staff and College/University administration.
• Ability to act as an effective student advocate.