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[octoprof]

Where I am, the situation is similar to what polly described where the Deans are all TT and have a PhD.

Academic deans are usually TT and of course have a PhD. Dean of Students is sometimes a very different thing.

[anon99]

Where I am, the situation is similar to what polly described where the Deans are all TT and have a PhD.

Dean of Students at a primarily undergraduate college is a big job, and I don't think it could be handled by someone that is maintaining an active research program and teaching.

I've not seen a Dean of Students who maintains an active research program, but I've seen them teach a class every semester because they love to teach.  They are drawn from the tenured ranks, but I agree that it's a big job (even at the small schools where I have been) so that it's a different daily life, unlike being department chair where the tasks just go on top of being a normal faculty member.

It sounds like it varies between institutions.  For clarification I didn't say the current Dean of Students had an active research program...though a few other Deans, and the president of the university, do.  Our current Dean of Students is like polly described and as far as I know he 'just' teaches in addition to his duties as Dean.

[educatedfool]

This will really clarify things:

The Dean of Students was the one who let me escape from mandatory residence-hall living into a place of my own when I was a freshman and hating living with a roomie and having rules.

Anyone who is Dean of Students always gets my respect when I meet them, as well as my undying affection.  :)

Did this post contribute anything? No, but I just had to share that fond memory...

[mesmith4]

I am no expert on this, but your post caught my attention because I am also entering a MA in Higher Education Administration after earning a Master's in English.  Much of what I'm realizing has to do with your attitude about Higher Ed., or more importantly, how your attitude looks on paper.  I can relate, since my vitae is full of English/writing center/tutoring things and very little professional administrative things, and even though I held tons of leadership positions in undergrad, people still doubt me.  I have a Master's in English; higher education administration must just be my plan B since the job market stinks.  

It's frustrating, because I know what I want to do.  My letter of intent into the English program said "I want to do administration" and was accepted (top 50 school).  I thought it they wanted me, the administrative world of higher education would, too.  So far, that hasn't proved the case.

I say all this because I have been scanning these forums for advice about what to do if you are entering a field when there are few entry level positions, most of which are being taking by non-entry level candidates.  The responses I've received say "you don't want this" or "you just like school."  I haven't found out what the "right" answer is to the following question: why do you want to work in higher education administration?  I don't know what the x factor is, but we are in a place where no one thinks we have it.  

There doesn't seem to be a concrete rule for what you have to have to get into higher education administration. and the responses to your post seem to confirm some this regarding your Dean of Students idea.  Experience, who you know, etc. seems to be the response I always get.  My approach will be to rework the way I look on paper.  Sure, I've been an academic, but I need to look like an administrator on paper.  In a way, I feel as though I'll be going to an extra two years of school for the opportunity to undo my English degree image and meet people.

This is all to say you're not the only one in your position.  Keep researching, and keep your head up.