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What does a dean do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
What does a dean do

A dean is responsible for overseeing the educational operations of the assigned department, enforcing school policies, and monitoring the students' progress by coordinating with the teachers and setting up procedures to improve teaching methods. Deans administer educational training and programs for the students, as well as extra-curricular activities to develop the students' social behavior, maximize their potentials, and increase their self-confidence. They also handle the department's budget, accurately allocating resources and funds to different activities and educational materials.

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Dean responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real dean resumes:

  • Produce, manage and evaluate all budgetary and programmatic aspects of a comprehensive career service program for students and alumni.
  • Develop funding split or co-fund project collaborations across colleges.
  • Deliver oversight and management of student behavior and attendance compliance.
  • Build partnerships with community colleges and universities for student opportunities.
  • Provide leadership for instructional programming and oversight for the operations of the agriculture, energy and sustainability areas.
  • Work cooperatively with other offices and student groups in the implementation of various campus-wide multicultural activities and other major events.
  • Safeguard course and syllabus alignment by performing ongoing examination review.

Dean skills and personality traits

We calculated that 8% of Deans are proficient in Curriculum Development, Oversight, and Scholarship. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Organizational skills, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Deans that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Curriculum Development, 8%

    Initiated industry and community linkages that will assist in curriculum development and career opportunities for graduates.

  • Oversight, 8%

    Delivered oversight and management of student behavior and attendance compliance.

  • Scholarship, 7%

    Received of Ohio Foundation of Independent College Scholarship

  • Human Resources, 6%

    Identify legal requirements and government reporting regulations affecting human resources functions.

  • Strategic Plan, 5%

    Provided strategic planning, resource utilization, staff recruitment, development and marketing communications to field organization.

  • Colleges, 5%

    Collaborated with other National Colleges and system-wide academic leaders.

Common skills that a dean uses to do their job include "curriculum development," "oversight," and "scholarship." You can find details on the most important dean responsibilities below.

Computer skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a dean to have is computer skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "postsecondary education administrators need to be comfortable working with computers so they can use software to manage student and school records." Deans often use computer skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "proposed internal initiative offering older computer systems as scholarship awards to students in need. "

Organizational skills. Many dean duties rely on organizational skills. "administrators need to be organized so they can manage records, prioritize tasks, and coordinate activities with their staff.," so a dean will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways dean responsibilities rely on organizational skills: "foster an organizational culture that supports collegiality and professional development of students, faculty, and staff. "

Problem-solving skills. deans are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to dean responsibilities, because "administrators need to react calmly when a difficult situation arises and develop creative solutions." A dean resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "research assistant duties included legal research and administrative support in the areas of alternative dispute resolution and client counseling. "

All dean skills

The three companies that hire the most deans are:

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Compare different deans

Dean vs. Admissions officer

An admissions officer is responsible for recruiting new students from various venues and channels. You will connect with students and answer their questions about the college or university, and conduct interviews to better understand the students' objectives and background. As an admissions officer, it is your duty to evaluate potential applicants, and advise and guide students about the admission procedure, programs offered, costs, and eligibility. Other duties include reviewing and evaluating student applications, arranging orientation programs for new students, and developing innovative recruitment and communication strategies.

If we compare the average dean annual salary with that of an admissions officer, we find that admissions officers typically earn a $52,485 lower salary than deans make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between deans and admissions officers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like academic programs, financial aid, and student services.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a dean are more likely to require skills like "curriculum development," "oversight," "scholarship," and "human resources." On the other hand, a job as an admissions officer requires skills like "admissions process," "recruitment efforts," "student recruitment," and "career fairs." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Admissions officers really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $43,309. Comparatively, deans tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $78,533.On average, admissions officers reach similar levels of education than deans. Admissions officers are 1.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 6.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Dean vs. Assistant director of admissions

An assistant director of admissions is responsible for monitoring and managing the admission process of an educational institution and recruit students on different programs according to their skills and interests. Assistant directors of admissions check the marketing and promotional materials of the institution to different platforms, respond to the students' inquiries and concerns, and processing the successful students with their documents. They also analyze application letters, join meetings and conventions, and review the admission criteria regularly.

Assistant director of admissions positions earn lower pay than dean roles. They earn a $34,172 lower salary than deans per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both deans and assistant directors of admissions have skills such as "scholarship," "academic programs," and "financial aid. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, dean responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "curriculum development," "oversight," "human resources," and "strategic plan." Meanwhile, an assistant director of admissions has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "crm," "admissions process," and "student recruitment." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Assistant directors of admissions may earn a lower salary than deans, but assistant directors of admissions earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $51,825. On the other hand, deans receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $78,533.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Assistant directors of admissions tend to reach similar levels of education than deans. In fact, they're 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 6.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Dean vs. Student services director

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.

An average student services director eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of deans. The difference in salaries amounts to student services directors earning a $18,011 lower average salary than deans.By looking over several deans and student services directors resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "strategic plan," "colleges," and "academic programs." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, deans are more likely to have skills like "curriculum development," "oversight," "scholarship," and "human resources." But a student services director is more likely to have skills like "professional development," "support services," "social work," and "alumni."

Most student services directors achieve a higher degree level compared to deans. For example, they're 8.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Dean vs. Residence hall director

A Residence Hall Director spearheads and oversees campus residential areas' daily operations to ensure students' safety and welfare. They are responsible for managing staff, setting goals and guidelines, establishing budgets and timelines, delegating duties among managers, implementing programs and protocols, and monitoring all procedures, resolving issues and concerns if any arise. Moreover, a Residence Hall Director encourages staff to reach goals while implementing policies and regulations to help maintain a healthy and safe community for the students.

Residence hall directors typically earn lower pay than deans. On average, residence hall directors earn a $39,125 lower salary per year.According to resumes from deans and residence hall directors, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "learning environment," "student life," and "social justice. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "curriculum development," "oversight," "scholarship," and "human resources" are skills that commonly show up on dean resumes. On the other hand, residence hall directors use skills like residence life, desk assistants, student development, and community development on their resumes.residence hall directors reach similar levels of education compared to deans, in general. The difference is that they're 2.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 7.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of dean

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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