Director, Student Success Center

About the role

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Office of Student Success, Leadership, and Engagement (SSLE) provides programs, initiatives, and services that contribute to the comprehensive experiences of UMB students, as well as the university community which includes faculty, staff, alumni, and neighbors. SSLE supports all students and University-wide student organizations through interprofessional leadership and learning opportunities, assists students experiencing food insecurity, connects students to civic and community engagement experiences, provides students with opportunities to build and sustain community, and offers initiatives to students designed to develop skills towards professional practices that support positive outcomes for students. This position will be an active collaborator with colleagues in the Division of Student Affairs and across the university. The Director, Student Success Center will report to the Assistant Vice President of Student Success, Leadership, and Engagement. The Director, Student Success Center will contribute to the academic, personal, and professional success of UMB students through management of the Student Success Center portfolio which includes programming and services for the Student Success Center, the UMB Pantry, and community building initiatives. The selected candidate will provide robust programming; management of grants and funding opportunities from application through implementation; strategic direction and oversight of the Student Success Center portfolio; and supervision, mentorship, and coordination of the work of a staff team. The Director of the Student Success Center will resolve issues and significant matters by utilizing independent judgment, discretion, creativity, and analytical thinking.

Responsibilities

• Uses subject matter expertise to plan, coordinate, and oversee the content, delivery, and continuous improvement of programs and services within the Student Success Center, UMB Pantry, and related student success initiatives, including basic needs support, mentoring, leadership development, community resource navigation, and skill development for professional application.
• Provides strategic direction for the Student Success Center and UMB Pantry, including the establishment of goals, priorities, an outreach plan to members of the University community, desired outcomes, high-impact practices, and innovative approaches that advance student-centered success and reduce barriers to academic success and professional development.
• Prepares, coordinates, and maintains program content, service delivery methods, and operational procedures for the Student Success Center services, events, and initiatives, including in-person, hybrid, synchronous, and asynchronous opportunities and community services that connect students with internal and external resources, social engagement opportunities, and educational programming.
• Develops and implements educational, professional development, leadership, recognition, and community-building programs and events that encourage exploration of multiple perspectives, build empathy, and develop the knowledge, skills, and self-awareness needed to effectively serve patients, clients, and communities.
• Provides guidance, consultation, mentorship, and leadership development to students, student leaders, student organizations; supports welcoming, student-centered curricular and co-curricular initiatives and environments; and collaborates with faculty, staff, and campus partners to strengthen student engagement, community building and leadership development.
• Reviews and evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of programs, services, operations, and facilities; coordinates data collection, analysis, interpretation, assessment, and reporting; establishes benchmarks and uses evaluation results to improve program quality, demonstrate outcomes, and ensure alignment with Division of Student Affairs and institutional goals and applicable policies and requirements.
• Coordinates the supervision, development, mentorship, and evaluation of professional staff, paraprofessionals, contractual staff, student employees, and interns; provides leadership and direction to the Student Success Center team and ensures staffing and operational resources are effectively aligned with programmatic priorities.
• Manages program budgets and financial resources and develops funding sources through grant seeking, philanthropic activities, and other fundraising opportunities; coordinates the identification, preparation, submission, management, and reporting of grants and other funding sources supporting the Student Success Center, UMB Pantry, and Office of Student Success, Leadership, and Engagement initiatives.
• Develops and coordinates internal and external partnerships, communications, and engagement activities to advance student success initiatives, including collaboration with university departments, faculty, staff, students, student organizations, community partners, and external organizations; prepares and manages reports, newsletters, marketing materials, web content, training materials, and other resources to promote Division of Student Affairs programs, services, and institutional priorities.
• Organizes and/or participates in committees, teams, and institutional initiatives; serves as an information resource to colleagues, university stakeholders, and external partners; contributes to institutional planning and student support efforts.
• Performs additional duties as assigned that advance the operational goals of the Student Success Center, Office of Student Success, Leadership, and Engagement, Division of Student Affairs, and UMB.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Master’s degree in Education, Student Affairs, Social Work, or a related field is preferred.
• Five (5) years of experience involving program planning and coordination experience, preferably in a university or community setting.
• Experience related to student development programs and/or progressive experience working with college students is strongly preferred.
• Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 undergraduate college credits being equivalent to one year of related experience. In instances where specific education and/or experience is required only directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.
• Clery act designated job as campus security authorities (CSA) member and will comply with Clery Act requirements.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of position requirements.
• Knowledge of all applicable requirements, regulations, and laws.
• Ability to work independently under minimal supervision.
• Skill in exercising initiative, resourcefulness, and sound judgment.
• Ability to solve problems and independently make decisions in adherence to institutional, local, state, and federal policies.