Associate Director - First-Year Academic Advising Support Center

About the Opportunity

JOB SUMMARY

The Associate Director of the First-Year Academic Advising Resource Center will lead a comprehensive academic student support program aimed at enhancing student success for first-year and at-risk students. This role is responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives that promote student retention, academic achievement, and personal development. The Associate Director will work with college advising units and university student support staff to develop, promote, and deliver workshops, information sessions, and community-building events for first-year students to promote student academic success.  This position will be the lead for the management of the at-risk student outreach strategy and best practices for support organizations across the university, including developing a case management structure that provides appropriately leveled, customized, and targeted support for different categories of at-risk students. In addition, the Associate Director will develop training and professional development opportunities for advisors and student support staff focused on the first-year student academic experience and the unique needs of first-year students.   

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Student Affairs, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in academic advising, student support, and/or retention services in higher education, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success and a passion for working with first-year and at-risk students.
• Proven experience building cross-functional partnerships within an institution.
• Demonstrated record of developing and implementing academic student support programming, and using data-driven approaches to measure efficacy and success of those programs
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills
• Strong written, oral communication and expression
• Computer skills, proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel required; knowledge of Banner, DARS, EAB Navigate preferred
• Strong organizational skills and knowledge of operational procedures at the university level. 
• This is a full-time position with some evening and weekend responsibilities, especially during orientation periods and critical intervention times.
• The Associate Director and direct reports will be required to work on campus 5 days a week.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

1)  Program Leadership and Strategy (50%)

• Develop and execute a vision for first-year academic support programs that aligns with the university’s mission and retention goals.
• Lead strategic planning for first-year at-risk student tracking and outreach and lead the proactive student support teams.
• Manage the First Year Academic Advising Support Center.

Academic Student Support:

• Oversee the implementation of student support practices that foster academic, personal, and professional growth for first year and at-risk students.
• Facilitate workshops, information sessions, and resources dedicated to academic student success and well-being for first year and at-risk students.

2) Retention and Intervention Initiatives (30%)

• Work with college advising leadership to establish and manage a shared strategy for improving student retention rates and to ensure academic persistence for at-risk student populations.
• Collaborate with university student support services and academic advising units to provide comprehensive support and intervention services.
• Develop policies and reporting structure for early alerts systems and data-driven outreach programs to identify and assist students who may be at risk of academic difficulty or withdrawal/transfer from the university

3) Professional Development and Training (10%)

• Provide ongoing professional development and training opportunities for advisors and student support teams in first-year advising strategies, best practices, and current research on first-year student success and trends in retention support.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive team culture, prioritizing student-centered service.

4) Stakeholder Collaboration (10%)

• Act as a liaison with academic advising units, Global First Year Programs, student support units and other stakeholders.
• Build partnerships with campus resources (financial aid, career ser