Assistant Director of Transition Programs

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Established in 1908, James Madison University is a comprehensive public institution offering undergraduate, masters and doctoral programs to more than 20,000 students. JMU is regarded as one of the finest regional universities in the nation and has been continuously cited in U.S. News and World Report, Changing Times and Money Magazine as an outstanding public university. Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. Known for its livability, diversity, local food, arts and natural surroundings, this Virginia Main Street community is a great place to live and work.

The James Madison University Orientation Office is accepting applications for an Assistant Director of Transition Programs. Orientation programs at JMU include Summer Springboard, one-day summer orientation programs for students and families, hosted in May, June, and July, 1787 Weeks of Welcome, Spring Orientation activities in December and January, transfer student programming, and other transition programs. The Orientation Office is also supported by a team of over 350 student staff who guarantee success of these initiatives.

The Assistant Director is a pivotal member of the Orientation team who provides leadership and implementation for all facets of transfer student programs. Critical to the success of the new student transition, the Assistant Director is also responsible for collaborating with partners throughout campus to develop transition experiences to support student success. The Assistant Director oversees the transfer team through hiring, training, and supervising the Transfer Orientation Peer Advisers, while also supervising two graduate assistants. In addition, the Assistant Director will facilitate the assessment process for the department using student learning objectives to make evidence-based changes to improve student learning in orientation programs.

 Competitive candidates will demonstrate the following skills:

• A master’s degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education, Counseling or related field required.
• Extensive experience in a higher education setting particularly in student affairs, especially in orientation, first year and/or transfer experience programs or program assessment.
• Experience recruiting, selecting, training, and supervising a large and diverse undergraduate student staff.
• Collaboration and communication across campus with faculty and staff to implement programs.
• Experience utilizing student development theory to develop, plan, and implement multi-faceted programs that balance high academic expectations with students’ social efficacy needs.
• Demonstrate awareness and deep understanding of the student development and transition needs of students within today’s context.
• Sensitivity to the needs of a diverse student community and a pulse on the changing demographic trends within higher education.

To apply go to https://joblink.jmu.edu/postings/8636 or visit JobLink.jmu.edu and reference posting number F1575. Pay Range: Commensurate with Experience.

James Madison University is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.