Program Director for Student Success Data Science and Assessment

Note for Current UM Employees

Current employees must apply internally via ConnectU > connectu.olemiss.edu

The University of Mississippi

"The University of Mississippi — fondly referred to as Ole Miss — stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacy of academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community where every member — student, faculty, and staff — can achieve their fullest potential.”

Department Summary

The Division of Access, Opportunity, and Community Engagement (DAOCE) seeks a Program Director for Student Success Data Science and Assessment to lead complex and innovative data analyses. 

 

DAOCE works to create more accessible, engaged, and transformative university, community, and world. It supports the University of Mississippi's mission by fostering partnerships, access, and engagement that cultivate a sense of community, enrich learning and development, enhance research, and ensure opportunities for all. DAOCE is dedicated to creating pathways and providing support so that everyone can contribute to and thrive in the UM community. We offer a variety of programs and services that strengthen the University of Mississippi as a welcoming environment. These initiatives ensure that all students, faculty, staff, and community members have the opportunity to succeed in their academic and professional endeavors, improve their future prospects, and realize their full potential to contribute to the betterment of organizations, communities, and institutions.

 

Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Access and Community Engagement, the Program Director will collaborate with other thought leaders within the Institute for Data Science, the Jim and Thomas Duff Center for Science and Technology Innovation; the Center for Student Success; the Office of Institutional Research, Effectiveness, and Planning; the Center for Student Success and First Year Experience; and the Department of Economics. The ideal candidate will bring a strong blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a passion for fostering successful outcomes for all students, particularly those who may benefit the most from a college education but may be at the greatest risk of not completing their degree. This position plays a pivotal role in shaping data-driven solutions that advance the University of Mississippi's mission to empower all students to thrive.

 

The Program Director will use data science and advanced statistical techniques to uncover trends and patterns that enhance resource efficiency, anticipate student needs, and connect them with support services to improve timely graduation. The incumbent will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of university leaders, leveraging data science and institutional innovation to drive student success. Key responsibilities include acquiring, integrating, and analyzing diverse data sources to provide insights into student recruitment, enrollment, and graduation pathways. Special attention will focus on supporting students facing additional risks due to economic, academic, social, or geographic challenges.

 

Key priorities for the Division of Access, Opportunity, and Community Engagement include:

Serve Mississippi: Ensuring the university better serves the citizens and communities of Mississippi, especially those from first-generation and lower socioeconomic strata.
Increase Access: Ensuring broad and inclusive access to higher education and the resources needed to pursue a degree or career at the university.
Lead Accessibility - Designing and implementing accommodations, services, activities, and experiences and removing barriers that allow people with disabilities to use, understand, and benefit from and participate in all aspects of society.
Foster Belonging: Cultivating a sense of community among students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Advance Engagement: Fostering active collaboration between students, employees, and community members in pursuit of excellence in learning, research, and service. 
Ensure Compliance: Conducting investigations or reviews to determine if practices, programs, and conduct adhere to state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the fair treatment of faculty, staff, and students. 
Promote Opportunities: Providing avenues for students, employees, and community members to enhance their lives and communities through learning, development, and work.
Encourage Dialogue: Facilitating respectful dialogue on challenging issues to enrich learning and development.
Cultivate Skills: Equipping individuals with valuable skills necessary for their future success.
Strengthen Communities: Partnering with and strengthen communities through economic and community devel