Director, First and Second Year Experiences and Transitions

Position Information

University Code 10914 University Title Senior Administrator 1, Academic Affairs University Job Family Academic & Faculty Affairs ORP Eligible Yes For more information on ORP, visit: Retirement Plans
Recruitment Pool All Applicants Recruitment Type Single Title Scope of Search National Working Title Director, First and Second Year Experiences and Transitions Position Number 591640 Is this employee on a H1B Visa? No Position Type Staff Job Status Full-Time FLSA Indicator Exempt Employee Group University Employee Department Student Success Admin Organizational Overview

At VCU, we Make it Real through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.

Position Primary Purpose and General Responsibilities

Virginia Commonwealth University serves as a national urban public research institution dedicated to the success and well-being of our students, patients, faculty, staff and community through:
● Real-world learning that furthers civic engagement, inquiry, discovery and innovation
● Research that expands the boundaries of new knowledge and creative expression and promotes translational applications to improve the quality of human life
● Interdisciplinary collaborations and community partnerships that advance innovation, enhance cultural and economic vitality, and solve society’s most complex challenges
● Health sciences that preserve and restore health for all people, seek the cause and cure of diseases through groundbreaking research and educate those who serve humanity
● Deeply engrained core values of diversity, inclusion and equity that provide a safe, trusting and supportive environment to explore, create, learn and serve.

To deliver our mission, four themes shape VCU’s strategic plan, Quest 2025: Together We Transform: student success, national prominence, collective urban and regional transformation, and diversity driving excellence. While VCU has been extremely committed to inclusion, access and excellence, innovation, transformative learning, and impactful research – our goal is to unite our pillars of success into a common experience for all new students throughout their first two years.

VCU is excited to announce our new student success senior leadership opportunity – Director of First and Second Year Experiences and Transitions. Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President ( SRAVP ) of Student Success, the Director will be responsible for establishing, promoting, and implementing the pillars of a consistent first and second year experience for VCU students that supports student success, retention, graduation, and positive career outcomes. VCU is seeking an individual who can elevate our national prominence in first and second year student success.

In collaboration with campus partners such as colleges/schools, New Student and Family Programs, Residential Life and Housing, VCU Transform (Living & Learning), Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success staff, Department of Focused Inquiry, and the Division of Student Affairs, this position will manage first year student success courses, implement and supervise new learning communities, and assess and implement programs to achieve the following outcomes/goals:

In their first year, new students at VCU will engage in:
● Academic exploration
● Personal growth
● Goal setting and envisioning a career development pathway
● Cultural competence and agility

During their year of purpose (second year), students will engage in activities that foster:
● Academic integration
● Sense of self
● Deeping social engagement and developing social/cultural capital
● Strategic career plan.

Primary Responsibilities:
1. Learning Communities (40%)
● Through informed research, data analysis and benchmarking, propose and implement a new first year student learning communities (LC) model for VCU .
● The LC model will incorporate the 5 key pillars from VCU’s Major Maps: maximize course and degree planning, get connected with your community, build cultural competence, get REAL experience, and prepare for life after college.
● Compile, interpret, and manage student data utilizing various data collection systems, portals, and processes to identify trends, potential needs, and other markers.
● Engage VCU faculty from all colleges/schools as student success collaborators.
● Explore opportunities to incorporate LC model within new and existing living-learning communities, and the RLH Community Development Model.
● Utilize expertise in budget development to propose a cost-efficient model, scoped over years, to roll out the new LC model (staffing structure, administrative support, operating expenses, etc.).
● Engage with Records & Registration to determine time efficient mechanisms to build block schedules and/or facilitate LC registration.

2. First Year Student Success Course Management (30%)
● Oversee all administrative needs for first year student success UNIV 191 and 101 courses including planning and assigning all academic schedules; establishing schedules with Records and Registration; ensuring grades and other data are submitted by applicable deadlines; establishing and enforcing course requirements such as attendance taking and core instruction topics; and selecting instructors following applicable VCU HR guidelines.
● Provide leadership and guidance in curriculum development including developing and delivering instructor training and faculty orientation programs.
● Regularly assess the program and evaluate instructors to identify the student learning outcomes are meeting expectations and achieving goals of student success. Use this data as a basis for adjusting the program or courses as necessary.
● As a first level resource, facilitate resolution to student and faculty issues.
● In coordination with the SRAVP, assign space and equipment for the UNIV student success faculty.
● Convene and conduct monthly faculty meetings.
● Manage faculty evaluations in conjunction with the Dean of University College and collaborate with the Executive Director of University Academic Advising, Director of VCU Career Services, the Director of the Campus Learning Center, and senior leadership in Student Financial Management Center on the semester distribution of evaluation reports.
● Serve on University College’s Curriculum Committee and collaborate with campus partners to continually improve courses.
● Negotiate and supervise the department budget in collaboration with the SRAVP and the SEMSS Fiscal Administrator.
● Study national best practices in first-year programs and inform collaborative partners about current student success trends.
● Teach one section of UNIV 191/101 annually or on an as needed basis.

3. Second Year Experience (20%)
● Through informed research, data analysis and benchmarking, propose and implement a new Second Year Experience model for VCU .
● Create signature experiences, through partnerships/programming that help facilitate a second year of academic integration, developing a student’s sense of self, and opportunities to deepen social engagement and developing social/cultural capital.
● Engage college/university partners in a second year experience that reflects the transition from year 1 to year 2 in VCU’s major maps.

4. National Spotlight (10%)
● Document the journey of VCU’s FYE / SYE Program model development and implementation.
● Engage in national opportunities (conferences, webinars, keynote speaker) to highlight our work in student success ( FYE / SYE programs).
● Re-design and manage VCU website that pulls all first year/second year experience components together for a seamless presentation to parents/incoming students/continuing freshmen/sophomores.

Minimum Hiring Standards

● Master’s Degree from an accredited institution;
● Minimum of three years’ teaching experience in higher education with a focus on student and/or academic success;
● Demonstrated experience engaging with first year experience programs;
● Ability to effectively interface with a wide variety of constituents including students, faculty, staff, family members, and community members;
● Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze and assess data related to student success and program assessment;
● Proven track record of building new programs with successful outcomes and meeting established goals; and
● Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU .

Preferred Hiring Standards

● Doctoral degree earned or in progress;
● Experience working with or planning a First Year or Second Year Experience program;
● Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the diverse student populations at a large public research university and the ability to successfully address the needs and issues presented by the student population;
● Knowledge of academic programs;
● Experience with course and program assessment;
● Working knowledge of various technologies including Banner, Navigate, Canvas, Tableau, and Microsoft Office Suite; and
● Demonstrated success presenting at regional and national conferences on topics tied to student success or first year/second year programs.

Required Licenses/ Certifications Anticipated Hiring Range $64,000 to $80,000 Application Process/Additional Information

Applications received by May 16 will be given preference.

Campus Monroe Park Campus Hours/Week 40 Normal Work Days/Hours Monday-Friday 8-5 Job Open Date 04/26/2021 Posting will close on or before Open Until Filled Yes Job Category Is this a restricted position? No Is this position eligible to participate in alternative work arrangements? Yes Sensitive Position No Resource Critical Yes Quick Link https://www.vcujobs.com/postings/104690 Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you have three years or more of teaching experience in higher education with a focus on student and/or academic success?
   • Yes
   • No
2. * Do you have experience working with or planning a First Year or Second Year Experience program?
   • Yes
   • No
3. * As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion - an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence. Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences, and academic and professional activities will impact your contribution to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion. Note: Examples include working with others to further the goals of equity and inclusion; leading in any capacity that tangibly promotes an environment where diversity is welcomed, fostered, and celebrated; creative activity, research, and teaching that promotes equity and parity; advising and mentoring students, and/or initiatives to create a positive and successful organizational experience for traditionally underrepresented staff groups.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   

Optional & Required Documents
Required Documents

1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
2. Resume

Optional Documents

1. Other Document