Director Academic Support Services

About the role

The Director of Academic Support Services provides direction for services that contribute to the overall success of the Student Success Center. This includes overseeing advising, academic recovery, tutoring, disability services, orientation, special student population programming, student employment, first-year experience, and other academic support programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, implement, manage, and promote the university's advising academic support services, which may include one or more of the following programs offered through the Student Success Center: advising, academic recovery, tutoring, disability services, orientation, special student population programming, student employment, first-year experience, and others.
• Contribute to the vision and goals of the Student Success Center and articulate this vision through the creation of programs that support these goals, including program development, oversight, and the gathering and dissemination of all necessary program assessment data and reports.
• Assists with the coordination of campus-wide procedures for academic advising across the various schools and colleges including, change of major, freshman follow-up, at-risk student identification, and proactive outreach.
• Work closely with academic success coaches, career services, and student success personnel to provide holistic student support.
• Ensure students are provided consistent, accurate and prompt advising and academic support services.
• Establish resources for use of various University departments to aid in the delivery of integrated advising and transition services.
• Collaborate with various offices to integrate and offer academic support services as part of the orientation and onboarding process for new students.
• Maintain shared governance over the development of the Master Advisor Training Program and continuous learning modules and workshops.
• Serve as the administrator for the Student Management Software and early alert (i.e., Lion Alert) system.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities for academic success coaches tasked with advising academic support responsibilities in accordance with University policies and applicable laws, which include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; Planning, assigning, and directing work; Appraising performance; Rewarding and disciplining employees; Addressing complaints; and resolving problems.
• Implement an effective data-informed system for informed decision-making and assessment, which includes processes for feedback and improvement, to evaluate efforts and results to ensure effective and efficient engagement and support services are provided to students through academic support programs.
• Participate in divisional and college-wide committees and efforts to support and improve student life, retention, and graduation.
• Stay informed on current national trends in higher education and remain current in the field of advising; incorporate knowledge into the Student Success Center programs.
• Provide effective management of the University’s fiscal resources including fiscal responsibility for assigned budgets and assists with the overall supervisory authority for the budget process in the Student Success Center.
• Oversee website management, promotions and publications, and internal and external communication for academic support services.
• Make decisions regarding academic suspension appeals and academic bankruptcy petitions and program development.
• Assist with targeted student success efforts for various cohorts of MSSU students.
• Collaborate with other University offices and personnel to fulfill the Student Success Center mission, objectives, and goals.
• Within the context of student success, this position is responsible for setting strategic goals, making decisions, recommendations, success based on extensive research and the input obtained from the appropriate constituencies within the University (Academic Affairs, Admissions, Registrar, Career Services, Student Success Center, etc.).
• Maintain an advisee load as an Academic Success Coach.

Success Coaching

• Serve as a primary advisor, assisting students with degree audits/plans of study, course scheduling, and course registration for undeclared students and students pursuing Bachelor of General Studies Bachelor and Applied Science degrees.
• Provide systematic and frequent coaching on an individual and group basis related to academic success, personal and/or professional development, career/major exploration activities, learning strategies and study skills specific to course materials, resume writing best practices, interview strategies, application strategies, and job search skills using computer guidance systems to improve student success in accordance with the University mission.
• Maintain knowledge of current academic and institutional policies and procedures unique to the institution, and educate and assist students in complying with such items including but not limited to Graduation Requirements, Academic Standards of Progress, Academic Probation, Academic Suspension, Academic Bankruptcies, Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, Course Sequencing, Admissions Requirements, New Programs, etc.
• Foster relationships with institutional faculty and staff to provide appropriate and accurate academic plans and referrals for students working with the Student Success Center. Refers students to appropriate academic, personnel, and support resources and collaborates with others to monitor and accelerate the academic progress of the students referred.
• Monitor and accurately document progress of students in caseload with check-ins, scheduled meetings or proactive outreach and communication, responding to students questions, concerns, and needs.
• Assists with outreach to and follow-up with students who are on academic probation or who have been referred through the MSSU early alert online system referred to as Lion Alert.
• In consultation with the Registrars Office and/or Transfer Guide, unofficially evaluate and determine the transferability of credits.
• Present outreach programming and workshops to students in classroom settings, residence halls, and student organizations.
• Teach 2 credit hours per academic year (fall, spring, summer), if needed, in the University Experience Curriculum.
• Assists with working events hosted by the Student Success Center. Occasional nights/weekends are expected with event management.
• Assists with creating and/or maintaining student resources (guides, handouts, manuals, etc.) published by the Student Success Center.
• Maintain competency and professional currency through self-directed professional reading, professional association memberships, attendance to conferences, workshops, institutional, and departmental professional development programs.
• Participate in departmental assessment processes.

Education, Experience, and Licenses

• Masters degree from an accredited four-year college or university (doctorate preferred).
• Minimum of five years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong computing skills and knowledge of relevant technologies (basic website maintenance and design, learning and management systems, and other academic support and administrative systems) are required.
• Ability to speak effectively in front of large groups, demonstrated effectiveness in working with diverse people in a variety of situations and demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently in a dynamic, fast-paced, team-oriented atmosphere.
• Three (3) years experience in higher education leadership with progressive responsibilities preferred.
• Preferred experience providing academic support to students in a college-level setting; experience in college-level teaching, presenting workshops, and academic advising; supervisory experience; experience in the fields of tutoring, learning assistance, tutor certification and/or other related student learning/development programs at a university; experience in academic and student support programs and initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to prepare and/or process purchase orders.
• Ability to manage or administer grant funds.
• Ability to establish policies for using, acquiring, and/or maintaining technology systems.
• Ability to meet the mental demands of the position.
• Knowledge of academic advising policies and procedures.
• Possess management and supervisory skills.
• Possess interpersonal and human relations skills.
• Ability to relate effectively with students, institutional personnel, and members of the public.
• Ability to communicate and maintain relationships.
• Ability to instruct.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team environment. Strong teamwork skills, high level of energy, and ability to work independently. Ability to manage workload both independently and as a team.
• Ability to effectively present information to administrators, faculty, staff, regulators, students, public groups, and/or board of regents.
• Ability to create and manipulate spreadsheets to create meaningful reports.
• Ability to manage Learning Management Systems such as Blackboard Ultra.
• Ability to engage with individuals of different cultures, backgrounds, or experiences.
• Ability to use small office equipment.