Associate Director of Student Affairs

Job Purpose

Carnegie Mellon University is seeking a dynamic and experience Associate Director of Student Affairs to oversee the development and delivery of student support services that foster student experience, engagement, retention and success. This role is pivotal in shaping a vibrant, inclusive and supportive environment that aligns with CMU-Africa’s mission and values.

The Associate Director will serve as the primary liaison to the CMU main campus for student affairs, oversee student services and academic advising, and ensure the effective implementation of wellness, engagement, and policy initiatives. This is a leadership role requiring strategic thinking, empathy, and a deep commitment to student development.

Inclusion, collaboration, excellence and integrity are valued proficiencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a leader who can optimally collaborate with a diverse population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values, thrives in an exciting and complex environment, and who will embody the mission of the university through their work.

About Carnegie Mellon University

Established out of a partnership between Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and the Government of Rwanda, CMU-Africa is addressing the critical shortage of high-quality engineering talent required to accelerate the economic development and digital transformation of Africa—home to the fastest growing workforce in the world. CMU-Africa was established in 2011 and is the only U.S. research university offering its master’s degrees with full-time faculty, staff and operations in Africa. CMU’s presence in Rwanda provides a platform to engage in Africa’s most significant opportunities and challenges across the continent through world-class education and contextually relevant research.

Our vision is to educate and empower the next generation of African leaders and innovators by delivering a world-class educational experience. CMU-Africa’s mission is to produce creative and technically strong engineers, who have been trained in the African context, and prepared to make transformative impact in their communities and the world.

We are a fast-growing campus with about 150 enrolled students, aiming to grow to 400 in the next couple of years. Our size and exponential growth create a sense of camaraderie and excitement, with strong community ties and a compound sense of accomplishment in our team members, contributing towards mutually beneficial relationships between staff and students.

The role

As the Associate Director of Student Affairs at CMU-Africa, you will play a pivotal leadership role in advancing student-centered services that enrich the overall student experience. You will lead efforts to remove barriers to student success, foster engagement and well-being, and support smooth transitions, strong retention, and positive post-graduate outcomes. This role involves overseeing the delivery of non-academic support services and contributing to the development of an inclusive, vibrant, and supportive campus environment. While specific responsibilities may vary, they will include, but are not limited to, the following:

Responsibilities

• Oversee the implementation of non-academic student support services and programming to enhance the student experience outside the classroom. This includes oversight of the Student Services and Academic Advising functions.
• Evaluate existing student support programs and activities, and develop new programs, to support student development, ensuring regular reviews for effectiveness and impact.
• Manage the relationship with the psychosocial counseling service provider to ensure adequate student wellness services are provided at CMU-Africa, including partnering with the COO on annual contract review and renewal processes.
• Serve as escalation point for student advising on complex and high-risk cases.
• Serve as liaison to the Student Guild to address graduate student issues that impede their student experience, including providing advice, guidance, and support to student organization leaders.
• Oversee programs hosted by the Student Guild and Student Clubs and other social events, ensuring they align with CMU-Africa’s strategic goals for student success.
• Serve as the main point of contact for the Pittsburgh Student Exchange Program, partnering with stakeholders at the main campus and CMU-Africa to ensure a smooth transition for our students, troubleshooting and resolving issues as they arise.
• Serve as the primary custodian of student policies, ensuring compliance with CMU regulations and promoting a safe and inclusive campus environment. Supervise revisions to CMU-Africa’s Graduate Student Handbook to reflect new policies.
• Maintain student information records, data, and statistics in compliance with CMU policies, processes, and privacy laws and regulations.
• Serve as Chair of the Financial Aid Committee and convener to distribute scholarships and financial aid awards in compliance with CMU and the sponsor guidelines, including liaising with funding bodies such as HEC, MINDS, and Smart Africa to ensure the required documentation is provided on time.
• Develop content for the Student Induction Program sessions that fall under the Student Affairs purview and ensure the relevant SIP sessions are conducted by knowledgeable team members.
• Supervise and mentor staff within the Student Services and Academic Advising functional area, providing training and professional development opportunities and support.
• Serve as the main point of contact for the University Registrar’s office for graduation management, administrative access and requirements.
• Other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A master’s degree in a relevant field, plus a minimum of 3 years of recent related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• A minimum of 2 years of leadership experience overseeing at least two of the following areas: Admissions and Enrollment, Academic Advising, Student Affairs, Student Financial Aid and Awards, Disability services or student orientation, Career Services (within a US university preferred but not essential)
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in French and/or other African languages is a plus.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Proven ability to lead, manage and inspire high-performing teams with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and results.
• Deep commitment to student development and delivering an exceptional student experience through empathetic and inclusive practices.
• Demonstrated success in designing and executing diverse and effective student support strategies using both digital and in-person channels.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage diverse audiences, including prospective students, partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a track record of building and maintaining strategic relationships with academic institutions, professional organizations students and colleagues.
• confident and engaging public speaker, capable of effectively representing the university at high-profile events, fairs and conferences, while inspiring interest and building strong connections with prospective students and partners.
• Ability to analyze data and market trends to inform strategy, optimize performance, and drive continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, fostering an inclusive and respectful environment.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with faculty, marketing, and admissions teams to align student support efforts with institutional goals.
• A strong belief in the transformative power of education and a commitment to CMU-Africa’s mission of developing Africa’s next generation of technology leaders.

TO APPLY

We are currently accepting applications for this position through https://www.africa.engineering.cmu.edu/about/careers.html#faculty. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and comprehensive resume / CV outlining their motivation for applying for the role. We encourage early applications, as we may begin reviewing submissions prior to the deadline. No later than 26 july 2025