Dean of Students

Job Description

Dean of Students
Mission: Since its founding in 1892 by the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell, the mission of Mount St. Dominic
Academy has been to empower young women to pursue the truth and live in charity.
About the Position: With the support of the Head of School and Dean of Academics, the Dean of Students
oversees student behavior and formation, fostering a vibrant, disciplined, and joyful school culture rooted in
the spiritual and intellectual tradition of the Dominican Order. The Dean serves as the chief advocate for
student character development, ensuring that all aspects of student life reflect the Mount's Catholic mission
and Dominican charism as expressed through the four pillars of study, prayer, community, and mission. The
Dean of Students oversees and works closely with the Director of Student Activities and Campus Minister to
create a cohesive student experience.
Responsibilities:
Strengthen Mission Formation & Identity
o Lead formation for students, parents, and faculty, ensuring that the four Dominican pillars remain the
throughline of daily programming and decision-making
o Ensure that the four pillars of Dominican life are consistently lived across departments
o Affirm the Mount's Catholic identity through the expansion of opportunities for retreats and faith
formation for students, faculty, staff and parents
o Foster a culture of dignity and belonging for all members of the school community, rooted in the
foundational belief in the inherent dignity of the human person as made in the image and likeness of God Enhance Student Experience and Engagement
o Create consistent expectations around student conduct and discipline that balance accountability with
the joy of an all-girls environment
o Plan, execute, and lead fall student orientation
o Support the Dean of Academics and Department Chairs in managing parent communication and
discipline decisions, serving as a steady partner in complex situations
o Expand opportunities for leadership, service, and social awareness through the development of annual
programming of advisory time and schoolwide assemblies
o Work with and organize faculty class moderators and student Siena Secretaries
o Review and update student handbook on an annual basis
Deepen Community Connection and Communication
o Promote clarity, transparency, and consistency in communication with parents, faculty, and staff
o Oversee coordination of school master calendar
o Strengthen orientation and onboarding for new families, faculty, and staff to ensure all constituents
are welcomed and supported
o Foster a culture in which every student and family is and feels known
o Collaborate with the Parents Association to develop thoughtful parent programming
o Serve on admissions committee to evaluate applicants
o Participate in advancement conversations as necessary to speak about student life and programming
o With support from the admissions team, plan and lead one-week summer programming for prospective students

Qualifications & Personal Attributes
o Personal commitment to the mission of Mount St. Dominic Academy
o An understanding of and enthusiasm for Catholic liberal education and Catholic culture
o A love for the intellectual and spiritual tradition of the Dominican Order and an ability to
communicate the beauty of the Catholic faith
o Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred
o A minimum of five (5) years of experience as a classroom teacher or school administrator
o The ability to articulate and foster an understanding of the feminine genius as described by Pope St.
John Paul II, and to help embed this vision within the school's culture
o Must demonstrate personal self-discipline, be adaptable and flexible in routine and unexpected
situations, and use excellent judgment in daily encounters
o Excellent problem-solving skills
o Demonstrated track record of success in teaching and leadership experience in a school setting
o Intellectual curiosity and commitment to continuous learning
o Confidence to advocate for new ideas, balanced with humility and openness to feedback
o Strong organizational skills, effective prioritization, and attention to detail
o A sense of humor, enthusiasm for school life, and genuine joy in serving the Mount community
The salary range for this position is $80,000-$85,000 or commensurate with experience.
If interested, please send cover letter and resume to Juliette Picciano at jpicciano@msdacademy.org.

About the Employer

Mount St. Dominic Academy, established by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell in 1892, is a Catholic, college preparatory school for young women. We are dedicated to the education of young women from a variety of ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds.

The Mount community is committed to seeking the Truth in all aspects of life. The students are able to realize their individual gifts and talents in an atmosphere that fosters academic excellence, respect for diversity, appreciation for the gifts of creation, moral integrity and a heritage rich in Christ-centered values.