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Essay on The Role of the Dean of the Student
The role of the academic dean is one that is multifaceted, challenging and often ambiguous. This often results in an inability to truly define a dean's purpose in a college setting. It is essential that deans have the required knowledge base, skills and abilities to perform effectively in this demanding role. But what is that role and why is it difficult to describe? There are several reasons. First there is the issue that there are many types of deans who work in many different areas of higher education.
There are also various types of higher education institutions in which deans can serve. A college can have many deans at different levels working in assorted areas and in different capacities. This can make defining the single role quite difficult and confusing. Robillard (2000) illustrates a wonderful and humorous example of this ambiguity. He states that in 1966, a newly inaugurated community college president asked a colleague if he would serve as dean of instruction. The colleague asked, "What is a dean of instruction?" The president exclaimed, "I'll be damned if I know, but if you want the position, we'll find out together" .
The roles and responsibilities of the dean have changed over time. The modern college environment has now expanded to include "schools without walls" and a more diverse student population than ever before. As technology continues to expand so needs to does the knowledge base and skills of the dean. The college environment demands it as do the consumers, the students.
Early Years of the Dean
The growth of administration in higher education, along with the implementation of the position of dean was seen after the Civil War. This growth was a response to an increase in enrollment along with requests for new and additional services (Rudolph, 1990).................
