Director, Student Success Center

Director, Student Success Center

University of Massachusetts Boston

The Director, Student Success Center will direct the advising efforts of the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM). The Director is responsible for advancing the mission of the Student Success Center (SSC) by developing initiatives and coordinating programs intended to support efforts to increase undergraduate student retention, increase the graduation rate, and connect students to learning opportunities beyond the classroom. The incumbent will develop and organize learning communities and freshmen seminar programs; will increase participation of students in undergraduate research; and will serve as an advocate for students. The Director will also coordinate and supervise developmental advising for CSM undergraduate students; will represent the SSC’s interests to the greater university community; and will establish positive and productive working relationships between the students and the University. The Director will play a key role in the hiring, training and supervision of the SSC advising staff and student workers; and is responsible for developing and maintaining online student success initiatives, advising tools and other forms of instructional technology for CSM students, faculty and staff.

Examples of Duties:

• Serve as a member of the college’s leadership team and articulate and champion the shared vision, mission and values of student services within the college; set and implement policies and procedures to academic advising; develop and direct both short and long-range organizational goals, objectives and plans that provide continuous support for students from recruitment through graduation; use institutional data to perform ongoing assessments of student success programming effectiveness;
• Manage the advising services to CSM undergraduate students and work collaboratively with department chairs, faculty advisors and other staff advisors in addressing student needs as they pertain to advising and support;
• Responsible for the oversight and administration of all areas of student programs, program design, policy implementation, recruitment, admissions, staff recruitment, evaluations, analysis of trends and patterns in applications and admission statistics and conflict resolution; responsible for maintaining institutional research related to persistence and retention of students;
• Supervise all staff members in the Student Success Center; identify and develop professional growth opportunities and ensure full implementation of the caseload model, as well as regular communication and involvement with the college; organize and supervise student works and Freshmen Success Community (FSC) peer mentors; * Coordinate and oversee the Freshman Success Community (FSC) program for incoming CSM freshmen; coordinate efforts by CSM departments to offer Science Gateway Seminars;
• Cultivate, establish, and maintain harmonious relationships with a wide variety of partners and CSM staff to support a comprehensive approach to student services; serve as the college liaison between UMB and partner institutions/representatives, concerning enrollment and student success, as well as to develop integrated student support services and implement policies;
• Develop participation frameworks, including learning plans, timelines and access to advising, to facilitate the transition of students from high school to college as to provide educational opportunities for students who may not otherwise have the chance to participate in a college education;
• Oversee the expansion of outreach and advising support for students enrolled in CSM programs; plan, evaluate and review the outcome of services provided to students as to better implement a student service model and to inform practices for retention and student success; develop new and improved methods to facilitate the recruitment, admission and retention of students;
• Work with CSM leadership to identify course components for the College of Science and Mathematics freshman success communities for the regular academic year; * Work with CSM leadership to identify and apply for external funding opportunities related to the mission and operation of the Student Success Center; assist in managing and maintaining existing externally funded SSC programs;
• Develop and implement co-curricular opportunities for CSM undergraduates, examples include but are not limited to: undergraduate research opportunities, faculty mentored research, internships, and civic engagement initiatives;
• Develop new or utilize existing online advising tools and student success initiatives that serve the particular needs of CSM students;
• Serve as first point of contact for students who are in need of personal and/or academic services within their programs; conduct intake and assess student issues; inform students of policies and procedures, and, if necessary, refer to appropriate office or person for resolution;
• Coordinate early warning and assessment programs in collaboration with CSM departments and other appropriate university departments and services; assist with the placement of students in academic support programs;
• Stay abreast of regional and national best practices on student needs and factors that impact student success, and work with the CSM leadership in disseminating these best practices;
• Work with the CSM Dean’s Office to develop and produce attractive marketing materials for informing currently enrolled and prospective CSM students about the SSC and its programs; help to produce and maintain an effective SSC website;
• Participate in recruitment and orientation events that represent CSM programs to incoming students and their family members; coordinate CSM’s participation at University events, including but not limited to Open House, Commencement, Graduate Showcase and Welcome Day and contribute to the creation of public resource information for such events; represent the college in various university committees;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Masters’ Degree in higher education administration, counseling, student support services or a closely related field and a minimum of five-seven (5-7) years of direct experience in student success programs, preferably within a higher education setting, is required. Experience with evaluating program effectiveness and assessment of learning outcomes required. the incumbent may be required to work occasional evening and/or weekend hours.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the development and implementation of new and innovative programmatic initiatives in conjunction with other campus units preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of student success initiatives on a national level preferred.
• Understanding of professional development needs of science and mathematics students preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of current student development theory and research;
• Knowledge of assessment procedures and tools;
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other state and federal regulations;
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience with, program development and coordination;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with dean, faculty, student services and student life professionals, and other key constituents;
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and evaluate the work performed by others;
• Ability to understand and apply student success data in advising programming;
• Ability to work independently and creatively and lead and manage new projects;
• Ability to utilize technology to promote access, efficiency and effectiveness of programs and services offered by the CSM Student Success Center;
• Ability to prepare written reports, correspondence, and recommendations;
• Strong leadership and team building skills;
• Strong problem solving and analytical ability;
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Strong commitment to customer service.

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date. 

For more information, or to apply, please visit: https://employmentopportunities.umb.edu/boston/en-us/job/506926/director-student-success-center

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Salary Ranges

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

Applications close: 24 Dec 2020 Eastern Standard Time

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

The University of Massachusetts Boston provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class. The University of Massachusetts Boston complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the university operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

UMass Boston normally does not provide H-1B visa sponsorship for non-academic positions.

The University of Massachusetts Boston is committed to providing a safe and secure environment that is supported by qualified employees for all of its students, faculty and staff to carry out the University's teaching, research and public service missions. As a condition of employment, the University will conduct appropriate background check reviews. For more information, please see the University of Massachusetts Boston campus policy and procedures for employee background reviews