Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies
About the role
The Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies (AVPUS) serves as the principal deputy and strategic partner to the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies (VPUS). This role bridges day-to-day operational excellence with the forward-looking integration of emerging technologies into undergraduate student success.
Essential Functions
Serve as the principal deputy to the VPUS, providing direct support in drafting, analyzing and assessing the viability of policies that affect undergraduate outcomes and promote learner advancement.
Collaborate with the VPUS, academic colleges and curriculum and assessment committees to support efforts to keep the undergraduate curriculum responsive to industry advancements and emerging technological developments.
Support the VPUS in advancing the division's digital transformation by researching, piloting and implementing Artificial Intelligence tools, predictive early warning systems and advanced student success platforms.
Identify and propose innovations to enhance the undergraduate experience at NJIT, presenting recommendations to the VPUS to ensure that all systems influencing student outcomes function effectively.
Develop and recommend best practices for the use of generative AI by academic advisors and students, and monitor trends in higher education technology to inform continuous improvement.
Communicate with NJIT departments regarding all additions, deletions or changes to undergraduate academic policies, using dedicated web pages, interoffice communications and system updates as appropriate.
Embed experiential learning opportunities, including undergraduate research, internships and project-based learning, into the first-year experience and transition programs.
Oversee a comprehensive undergraduate retention and graduation system in coordination with academic units and advisors, providing the VPUS with regular assessments focusing on fall-to-fall retention of first-year students to close achievement gaps.
Apply AI and data analytics to study different student cohorts, continually optimizing retention methods to ensure equitable access to experiential learning and academic support for all learners.
Manage university-wide academic standing procedures on behalf of the VPUS, overseeing the continuous monitoring of student GPAs and implementing proactive assistance protocols for students facing academic difficulty.
Ensure that probation and suspension guidelines are applied consistently and in accordance with university policy.
Design and assess a comprehensive, technology-enabled academic advisement model that ensures consistent, reliable and personalized guidance for first-year and transfer students.
Develop and oversee the implementation of articulation agreements between NJIT and area community colleges.
Collaborate with NJIT academic departments to review current agreements, create new pathways and evaluate curriculum alignment.
Represent the VPUS in meetings with community college leadership and partners to maintain strong institutional relationships.
Oversee the preparation of detailed articulation grids for student use, allowing seamless comparison of completed community college courses to NJIT prerequisites.
Provide clear direction and operational management for the Office of Student Transition (OST), ensuring its core units (OAA, NSO and LC&FYS) operate in close coordination to achieve the division’s strategic goals.
Oversee New Student Orientation and Learning Communities within the OST, ensuring these programs set clear academic expectations, track student engagement and integrate high-impact practices early in the student journey.
Recruit, hire, supervise and evaluate leadership and staff in the OST, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
Lead the development and strategic management of the annual budgets for the OST, reporting financial outcomes and needs directly to the VPUS.
Prerequisite Qualifications
A doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution is highly preferred; a master's degree is required.
A minimum of eight years of progressive leadership experience in higher education administration, specifically within undergraduate studies, academic advising, or student success programs.
Demonstrated experience working with or alongside emerging educational technologies, data-driven student success systems, or digital transformation initiatives in a higher education context.
Proven track record of staff supervision, budget management and operational oversight of multifacted departments.
Working knowledge of emerging educational technologies, including generative AI applications, predictive analytics and student success platforms.
Proficiency in applying data analytics to inform decision-making, analyze student cohorts and identify strategies to close achievement gaps.
Demonstrated commitment to advancing digital transformation and modernizing student support systems in alignment with institutional priorities.
Proven capacity to serve as a trusted and effective principal deputy, exercising sound judgment and acting on behalf of senior leadership when needed.
Strong ability to integrate efforts among academic and administrative units, build consensus and foster a collaborative institutional culture.
Experience developing or managing articulation agreements and transfer pathways with community colleges or other external academic partners.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, essential for presenting policies, managing change and building strong external partnerships.
Deep commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that promotes equitable access to academic support and experiential learning for all students.