Director of Student Support

MISSION

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Generous paid time off

• Paid holidays (up to 14 days)

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits

• Competitive retirement plans

• Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program

• Great employee discounts

• Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions

 

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Director of Student Support will serve as the Lead Case Manager in the Office of Student Affairs for individual students in distress and students experiencing acute mental health concerns. Assist the student affairs team in coordinating the needs of students who present complex problems/concerns in areas including but not limited to: academic, health and wellness, psychological, economic, conduct, family relationships and social adjustments through appropriate interventions, referrals and follow up services. Liaise with families, outside providers and other individuals in a student’s support network to provide support with these problems and concerns.  When appropriate, proactively contact parents and others to assist students. Develop and revise policies and protocols (for the final approval by the Dean of Student Life, VP and Associate General Counsel) related to Case Management and Student Support. 

 

The Director will facilitate the weekly Student Support Team Meetings, including: preparing the agenda for the meeting, updating individual student entries based on the meeting, and developing on-going reporting. Provide training for Mental Health First Aid and other wellness and protocol training for faculty, students and staff. Develop and implement training for Student Affairs staff related to providing student support and policies and protocols. Develop and update the system for on-line care reporting through Symplicity. Develop and implement marketing and outreach (e.g. web, social media, and print) to increase on-campus awareness on campus of student support. Assist with education programming related to Wellness, including sexual health and substances. Serve as the primary administrator for the Symplicity Database Care Manager, assisting SAIC in fully realizing its potential. This individual will be an expert in Case Management and its impact on student success and retention. The Director will serve on committees as appropriate. The Director will serve in the Deans on Call rotation (apx. 1 day a week and 2-3 weeks per semester - including holidays). They will also assist with school-wide events such as Orientation, Family Weekend and Graduation, and some evening and weekend commitments are to be expected. 

 

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Serve as the Lead Case Manager in OSA – Serve as the Lead Case Manager, assisting individual students who have problems/concerns in areas including but not limited to: academic, health and wellness, psychological, economic, conduct, family relationships and social adjustments through appropriate interventions, referrals and follow up services. Assist students and their families in navigating SAIC’s policies and procedures.  Identify students at risk, connect students to resources, liaison with appropriate campus support (e.g. Dean of Student Life and Associate Deans of Student Affairs and the Wellness Center), collaborate with departments to provide support (e.g. Residence Life), and make parental/emergency contact as needed. Provide direction for the OSA Student Support Team team on their response to supporting students in crises. Liaise with academic departments, Student Services and other Student Affairs offices. Consiste