Director of Academic Success Services
Chief Objective of Position
Under the direction of the Vice Provost for Research and Academic Success, the Director of Academic Success Services leads and enhances a comprehensive framework of support services within the Center for Academic Success that fosters academic achievement and personal growth. The Director will ensure that all students have equitable access to resources and opportunities that empower them to thrive throughout their college experience and beyond. This role will focus on developing innovative programs, facilitating collaboration among departments, and leveraging data to drive strategic initiatives aimed at improving student academic achievement, ultimately impacting retention, completion, and post-graduate outcomes of all Christopher Newport University students.
Work Tasks
Leadership: Collaborates with the Vice Provost of Research and Academic Success to provide strategic leadership within the Center and supervision of all academic success staff for the overall operational effectiveness of the Center for Academic Success.
Provides direction and oversight to the Assistant Director of Peer Education to include responsibilities such as peer tutoring, peer mentoring, and supplemental instruction.
Develops and provides onboarding, training, oversight, and routine performance reviews for academic success coaching services offered within the Center.
Plays a key role in maintaining and growing strategic partnerships across the campus community to advance the University’s goals regarding student success and completion.
Represents the Center and serves a critical role as a member of the Academic Success leadership team.
Provides training sessions for staff, student workers and faculty regarding best practices and optimum intervention strategies for student success.
Provides a high quality of leadership, mentorship, and managerial support to the Center.
Management
Leads the Center in identifying students in need of academic support services.
Supports university retention efforts by collaborating with staff in Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to design and implement innovative, high-impact programs.
Works collaboratively with staff in Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to identify at-risk students and manage support efforts for these students including, but not limited to, referrals, tutoring, writing assistance, peer mentoring, success coaching, and engagement.
Collaborates with the Faculty Director of the Writing Center to ensure the delivery of proactive and comprehensive services and programs through The Alice K. Randall Writing Center.
Collaborates with the Faculty Director of Core Advising to enhance advising for first and second-year students, develop support systems, and effectively address student needs.
Identifies grant opportunities and prepares proposals for grants and alternative funding sources for niche initiatives.
Maintains an environment of continuous improvement that includes effective assessment of services and develops healthy professional development processes for staff and student staff.
Captains Care Referrals System
Works collaboratively with staff in Student Affairs to support the ongoing development, implementation, and improvement of the Captains Care Referral system.
Develops creative and strategic approaches to reach students of concern.
Makes sure all referrals to the Center are resolved promptly.
Collaborates with staff in Student Affairs to collect data, prepare reports, and provide routine analysis to senior division leadership regarding referrals and outcomes.
Transition Courses
Develops and maintains curriculum in adherence with university governance for the three student success courses: COLL 141: Student Success Seminar; COLL 140: The Transitional Learner; and, COLL 150: The Intentional Learner.
Collaborates with the Vice Provost of Research and Academic Success to identify qualified instructors, in compliance with SCHEV and SACSCOC, to meet the demands of the students, provides initial training, and oversees the daily activities associated with these courses.
Develops and implements a plan for assessing course effectiveness and provides routine reports to senior division leadership.
Reviews student course evaluations and course outcomes and makes adjustments to course content as needed to align with the changing needs of our students and feedback from faculty teaching first-year students.
Ensures adequate seats are available for those students required to complete these course(s).
Makes recommendations to the Vice Provost of Research and Academic Success regarding students who should be enrolled in COLL 141, 140 and, 150.
Serves as instructor of these courses, depending on Center activities and student enrollment.
Summer Transition Programs
Develops curriculum and framework for an enhanced summer transition (bridge) program to help on-board first-time in college students to the university environment.
Identifies necessary high-impact practices for effective onboarding.
Creates and implements an assessment plan for continuous improvement and to ensure overall student success as a result of program completion, and makes adjustments to the program in response to feedback and data analysis.
Other Support Services and Programs
Responsible for the composition and distribution of 'The Great Lawn' newsletter to parents of targeted student groups, meeting established publication deadlines and adjusting content and contributors in response to the needs of our students.
Develops, implements, and assesses academic support programs focusing on the retention and completion of sub-groups of the study body (e.g., first-generation college students).
Develops, implements, and monitors programs for students on academic probation and academic suspension.
Designs and provides oversight for the University’s Academic Recovery Agreement and Plan processes and Sailing to Success programming for these students.
Develops and conducts an assessment of the overall effectiveness of the academic recovery program and provides suggestions for improvement.
Coordinates proactive outreach and student success interventions following three-week, midterm, and final grades.
Responsible for the planning and effective execution of the University’s annual Signing Day event.
Maintains a small student caseload, as directed.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Campus Collaboration
Works collaboratively with all faculty, staff, organizations, and constituencies to foster campus collaboration that enhances overall student success and provides student-centered support.
Coordinates intervention strategies within Academic Affairs and Student Affairs staff who provide complementary support services.
Represents the division and presents at various evening and/or weekend events including but not limited to admission recruitment events, orientation events, Community Captains events, and fundraising events, as directed or needed.
Serves and engages, as needed and as appointed, on university committees, councils, and working groups.
Communication and Marketing
Responsible for updates and management of the Center’s internal and external websites and social media accounts.
Directs the marketing of the Center for Academic Success and services provided.
Designs, creates and produces consumer information for students, parents, and other constituencies in various media.
Maintains frequent and ongoing communication and engagement with stakeholders.