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Academic dean vs student services director

The differences between academic deans and student services directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an academic dean and a student services director. Additionally, an academic dean has an average salary of $94,053, which is higher than the $68,307 average annual salary of a student services director.

The top three skills for an academic dean include curriculum development, professional development and student services. The most important skills for a student services director are professional development, financial aid, and support services.

Academic dean vs student services director overview

Academic DeanStudent Services Director
Yearly salary$94,053$68,307
Hourly rate$45.22$32.84
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs3,19069,818
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does an academic dean do?

Academic deans take a vital role in the development and advancement of education in a college or university. The dean may have different functions depending on the university, but mostly, academic deans focus on creating new strategies in providing education for students. It is the responsibility of the academic dean to ensure that the faculty conducts all educational practices. The academic dean also manages all faculty members' activities and works with drafting the university's curriculum.

What does a student services director do?

In learning institutions, a Student Services Director spearheads and oversees the student services office's daily operations. They directly handle student affairs, from academic endeavors to student discipline, including expulsions and suspensions, school security, child welfare, internships, and alternative education. A Student Services Director also participates in developing academic projects and programs, coordinating with internal and external parties to make them possible. Moreover, they also have the authority to implement policies and regulations, developing new ones as necessary.

Academic dean vs student services director salary

Academic deans and student services directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Academic DeanStudent Services Director
Average salary$94,053$68,307
Salary rangeBetween $57,000 And $153,000Between $43,000 And $106,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CABerkeley, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew Jersey
Best paying companyDCP Holdings IncLos Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between academic dean and student services director education

There are a few differences between an academic dean and a student services director in terms of educational background:

Academic DeanStudent Services Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Academic dean vs student services director demographics

Here are the differences between academic deans' and student services directors' demographics:

Academic DeanStudent Services Director
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 45.0% Female, 55.0%Male, 37.4% Female, 62.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 4.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 4.3% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between academic dean and student services director duties and responsibilities

Academic dean example responsibilities.

  • Produce, manage and evaluate all budgetary and programmatic aspects of a comprehensive career service program for students and alumni.
  • Work cooperatively with other offices and student groups in the implementation of various campus-wide multicultural activities and other major events.
  • Create individualized educational plans for students desiring to study in English speaking countries.
  • Coordinate several courses which involve development of the departmental syllabus and managing development of the departmental final.

Student services director example responsibilities.

  • Support and oversee students from colleges across the country as they organize and lead interfaith service programming on their own campuses.
  • Source employers through market research, LinkedIn and cold calls.
  • Explore and find additional sources to supplement scholarship funds for minorities.
  • Review and edit resumes while providing direction for content in LinkedIn and e-portfolio profiles.
  • Attend and contribute to impartial hearings or legally-binding mediation meetings where students' needs are discuss.
  • Design and maintain a participation tracking system that will accurately document student participation in the SSS program.
  • Show more

Academic dean vs student services director skills

Common academic dean skills
  • Curriculum Development, 10%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Student Services, 5%
  • Student Learning, 5%
  • Academic Affairs, 5%
  • Program Directors, 4%
Common student services director skills
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • Financial Aid, 7%
  • Support Services, 6%
  • Social Work, 5%
  • Alumni, 4%
  • Student Life, 4%

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