Director of Student Persistence and Completion

Company Description:

Framingham State University was founded in 1839 for a singular purpose - meeting a public need to promote the public good. At our founding as the nation's first public normal school, that need was for comprehensively educated public school teachers who would, in turn, promote an educated citizenry. FSU continues to offer exceptional teacher education programs and, while we are proud of our roots as a teachers' college, we have grown far beyond them. Public need continues to evolve and FSU right along with it. Our students and alumni are making waves in the fashion industry, designing nutrition plans for professional athletes, writing for major media and news organizations, and working for Fortune 500 companies right here in Framingham. FSU is unapologetically a public institution offering accessible, affordable educational opportunities that integrate an academically challenging liberal arts education with workforce preparation programs, in a highly personalized teaching environment. Our programs have expanded but our purpose and commitment to public education for the public good remain steadfast.

At FSU, we are deeply committed to inclusive excellence and strive to promote a culture of antiracism, encouraging a challenging yet collaborative learning environment, and providing culturally relevant education. FSU is designated as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and also belongs to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence community, providing national leadership in science education and exploring strategies that will lead to more inclusive science education. We are honored that our commitment earned FSU six Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Awards from INSIGHT Into Diversity. We encourage applications from those who share our commitment to promoting a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community.

FSU currently enrolls about 3,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and professional students, offers 39 undergraduate majors, and enrolls 41% BIPOC students in our undergraduate programs. Ideally situated between Boston and Worcester, FSU and the surrounding area are steeped in history, achievement, and innovation and provide access to urban hotspots, verdant landscapes, natural and cultural amenities, and diverse communities.

Our founding motto, LIVE TO THE TRUTH, was said at the end of each class by beloved first principal, Cyrus Peirce, who sought to discover and teach "truth in theory and principle...truth in spirit and motive...truth in manner and form...truth intellectual and truth moral." Early leaders found this motto "speaks of sincerity of spirit...of intensity of effort, of resolution to succeed, of joy in achievement." LIVE TO THE TRUTH aptly reflects our past and our pledge for the future as it continues to guide our institution in practice and endeavor. If you share in this quest for truth and a commitment to living it fully, make the next chapter of your career the best chapter at Framingham State University.

Learn more about our career opportunities at www.framingham.edu/careers.

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Enhancement, the Director of Student Persistence & Completion is responsible for the oversight and coordination of university practices essential to improve student retention, persistence, and completion. This includes continual assessment of processes and programs, as well as the development of new initiatives to improve student success related to advising, retention, and completion. The Director works collaboratively with other offices in Academic Enhancement, academic colleges, the Division of Enrollment Management, the Division of Student Affairs, and other departments across campus to ensure services are responsive to student needs and are aligned with strategic enrollment management initiatives.

As a member of the leadership team of Academic Enhancement, the Director will contribute to developing and maintaining a cohesive and positive student and staff experience within the Division. Working with an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset, the Director is responsible for overseeing and developing retention and completion initiatives, using institutional data, that are designed to positively impact student success, which is measured by factors including first to second-year retention rates, persistence rates, and graduation rates.

The Director will also collaborate with their team to provide training for faculty and professional advisors within each college as well as other enrollment stakeholders. The Director will be responsible for increasing student utilization of services and minimizing academic barriers to student success. The Director is responsible for the management, oversight, and/or partnership for several programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Works with the division of Academic Enhancement in developing, revising, and putting into practice the divisions strategic goals and initiatives
• Oversees advising and retention efforts for undergraduate students. This includes continual assessment of processes, programs, and the development of new initiatives to improve student success related to advising, retention, and completion.
• Develops University-wide, comprehensive student communication plan to enhance student retention.
• In collaboration with relevant offices on campus (Registrar, Academic Advising), identifies significant enrollment activities that can be enhanced by University intervention to reduce the risk of student drop out or nonreturn. Monitors student enrollment metrics to note trends and implement responsive activities.
• Works across the University to determine factors that promote or inhibit student retention and persistence. This includes but is not limited to:
• Developing a list of specific university programs specifically designed to retain students and support the assessment of these programs
• Reviewing characteristics of coursework, course sequencing, and other campus engagement/interventions for students who do persist and making recommendations based on this information
• Reviewing academic and demographic student data of students who do not persist
• Determining predictive measures of student success and creating corresponding practices to address areas of concern.
• Works with the VP of Academic Enhancement to create student success pathways and work across divisions to establish and maintain these pathways.
• Maintains current knowledge of university policies and procedures, keeps abreast of national trends in higher education, and remains current in the field of student retention and graduation success.
• Collaborates with faculty and academic personnel to develop, track and assess the effectiveness of pedagogical student success strategies.
• Serves as System Administrator for Starfish, the early alert student success software.
• Collaborates with the Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs to identify and submit current and future grants around issues pertaining to student retention and graduation success.
• Work collaboratively with the offices of Institutional Research, Assessment, CASA and Registrar to develop reports and provide data analytics to university constituents.
• Participates on cross-divisional committees as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as required by the VP of Academic Enhancement
• Accountable for ensuring that affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity are integrally tied to all actions and decisions in areas of responsibility.
• Responsible for reporting to the Equal Opportunity Officer or Title IX Coordinator knowledge or receipt of reports of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and retaliation from students or other members of the university community.

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's Degree.
• Five or more years of work experience in Advising, Student Success, and/or Higher Education.
• Minimum of five years professional experience in a university setting providing direct faculty and student service related to increasing student retention and graduation success.
• Comfort and flexibility with independent learning of software and online tools
• Excellent written and oral communicative and interpersonal skills; ability to work and contribute in a teamwork environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of student retention and graduation success strategies, program conceptualization, implementation and assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to assess, strategize and operationalize with a data-driven approach.
• Demonstrated success in supporting and nurturing a diverse student body.
• Excellent personal and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to think strategically and multi-dimensionally.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience and thorough knowledge of holistic academic advising.
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• Experience with promoting and/or supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Higher Education.
• Experience in leading best practices (including interventions, wrap-around services, etc.) to positively impact student success.
• Innovative and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Knowledge and experience with Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM).

Candidates who are bilingual in English and Spanish or English and Portuguese are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position in the Association of Professional Administrators (APA) bargaining unit with a union title of Director. The salary range is $82,000-95,000.

It is the policy of Framingham State University that all employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 before they begin employment. Proof of the COVID-19 vaccine is required of all individuals hired by FSU, to be verified after a verbal offer of employment has been accepted, and before employment begins. Prospective employees may submit a request for a medical or religious exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement to Human Resources.

Framingham State University conducts criminal history and sexual offender record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

Framingham State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Members of underrepresented groups, minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to diversity and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions:

Candidates must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter,
• Resume/CV,
• Equity and Inclusion Statement*
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

*The Equity and Inclusion Statement is an opportunity for candidates to discuss professional skills, experience and/or willingness to engage in activities that would enhance the university's efforts to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Equity and inclusion statements will be considered as part of a transparent and comprehensive review of candidate application materials.

For best consideration, application materials should be received by April 21, 2023. However applications may continue being reviewed until the position is filled.

Framingham State University only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you experience technical issues with the online application process, please submit a helpdesk ticket.

Framingham State University understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office at 508-626-4530 or humanresources@framingham.edu.

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