Academic Program Specialist for Student Retention and Engaged Learning

POSITION: A full-time, professional academic staff position is available in Academic Affairs beginning August 10, 2021. The working title for this assignment is Academic Program Specialist for Student Retention and Engaged Learning with an official title in the Administrative Program Specialist title series.  This is a continuing position.  The salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is required. Also required is demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:  A master’s degree in a related field, experience working in higher education, commitment to engaged student learning, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

DUTIES:

Coordinate programing for student retention and engaged learning. At present, the focus is first year academic programming and service learning.  The forthcoming Academic Strategic Plan proposes changes to these programs. The successful candidate will be part of envisioning, championing, and guiding that change. The candidate will need to be able to work with some uncertainty, embrace innovation, and bring others along. This position reports to the (Interim) Associate Vice Chancellor-Academic Affairs.

Contribute to Student Retention Efforts in Academic Affairs

• Participate in/support academic strategic plan project groups relevant to student retention and engaged learning
• Remain current on best practices in student success and retention in higher education
• Coordinate academic affairs participation in summer orientation and welcome week
• Coordinate with enrollment management to provide support on EAB Navigate for faculty and staff in academic affairs
• Coordinate with enrollment management to facilitate faculty/IAS communication with students in need of support

Contribute to the Development of Revised Engaged Learning Opportunities

• In collaboration with implementation groups, contribute to the anticipated transition from the current FYE model to a revised first-year student academic engagement program
• In collaboration with ULEC and other governance groups, contribute to the anticipated transition from Service-Learning to Community-Engaged Learning
• In collaboration with implementation groups and academic departments and programs, support the implementation of department models of student/faculty engagement

Current First Year Academic Programming Responsibilities

• Work in consultation with faculty/staff advisory board
• In collaboration with the AVC-AA and advisory board, recruit faculty and IAS to teach in the FYE program
• In cooperation with advisory board and AVC-AA provide orientation and support to FYE instructors
• Maintain list of student mentors and approve employment and payroll during fall semester
• In cooperation with advisory board and AVC-AA provide orientation and support to FYE mentors
• Maintain and update the Bluprint for a Blugold Canvas page
• Create bi-weekly Bluprint activity update during fall semester
• Create shared content for instructors when needed
• Serve as liaison to Advising, Retention and Career Center for summer registration
• Coordinate gathering and analysis of FYE assessment data

Current Service-Learning Responsibilities

• Process project requests from community partners
• Develop and maintain relationships with community partners
• Provide support to Service-Learning mentors
• Process project requests from students
• Verify completion of student Service-Learning
• Promote Service-Learning on campus
• Work with Service-Learning advisory board
• In collaboration with University Assessment coordinate gathering of assessment data

Other Duties:

• Supervise at least one student employee who supports promotion of First Year Programming and Service-Learning
• Other duties as assigned

THE UNIT: The Division of Academic Affairs supports student learning through curricular and cocurricular programming. The successful candidate will work with faculty and instructional staff as well as academic staff in other Academic Affairs programs.

UNIVERSITY and EAU CLAIRE COMMUNITY: UW-Eau Claire, an institution of approximately 11,500 students and 1,400 faculty and staff, is consistently recognized as a top comprehensive university in the Midwest and is widely known as a leader in faculty-undergraduate research and study abroad. We strive for excellence in liberal education and select graduate and professional programs through commitment to teaching and learning and dedication to our core values of diversity, sustainability, leadership, and innovation. To learn more about UWEC, visit https://www.uwec.edu/human-resources/employment-opportunities/why-uwec/ .

The City of Eau Claire, situated at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers, is at the center of a metropolitan area of approximately 100,000 people located 90 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul. The area features beautiful parks and trails, strong public schools, a vibrant arts scene and local food culture, and abundant recreational opportunities.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Applications are submitted electronically. Please follow instructions found on the following UW-Eau Claire Web site: https://www.uwec.edu/job-postings/ .You must create an account and login before you can apply.  If you have not yet registered, click on the "Click here to Register" link to begin the registration process. If you are already a registered user, input your "User Name" and "Password" and select "Login."  Click the link to the Academic Program Specialist for Student Retention and Engaged Learning position (Job ID # 17348) and then click the "Apply Now" button to submit your application electronically.  Your application will not be considered complete until all required documents are attached and all required fields are completed.  Please be sure you have included the following in PDF format:

• Letter of application
• Curriculum vita
• Unofficial graduate school transcript
• Names and contact information for three references.

Please direct requests for additional information to:

Mary Hoffman, hoffmamf@uwec.edu

To ensure consideration, completed applications must be received by July 30, 2021.  However, screening may continue until position is filled. The university reserves the right to contact additional references with notice given to the candidates at an appropriate time in the process. Employment will require a background check. Employment will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding past conduct related to sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7).

The UW-Eau Claire Police Department is dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for learning and working. Although crime at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is  limited, the   University Police want students, faculty and staff to be aware of crime on campus and the area surrounding the campus. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose annual information about campus crime.  Visit Campus Security and Fire Report  (https://www.uwec.edu/files/8/annual-security-report.pdf) .  Also visit our Campus Security Authority policy (https://www.uwec.edu/files/787/CleryCompliancePolicy.pdf).

UW-Eau Claire is an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disability employer dedicated to enhancing

equity, diversity, and inclusion.