Director of Academic Success

About Alvernia University 

Alvernia University was founded in 1958 by the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Through its main campus in Reading and locations in Philadelphia and Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the university serves 3,000 students of diverse backgrounds from around the country. 

Alvernia offers a unique blend of rigorous liberal arts core education for the development of the mind, strong technical training in many high-demand majors, experiential learning through study abroad and internship experiences, and engagement with the community through our Franciscan-based community service model. We call our model of transformational education the Alvernia Advantage, and we believe this style of education transforms students into ethical leaders with moral courage. 

Alvernia University ranks in the top 100 among 2021 Best Regional Universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report, and we are recognized as a College of Distinction for our commitment to engaged experiential education.

Job Summary: 

Alvernia University seeks a Director of Academic Success to coordinate student academic success programming. The director will oversee and coordinate support services in academic affairs, including academic coaching, career planning, and first-year experience. They will represent academic affairs on committees related to retention and persistence. This position requires leveraging technology for advising and interpreting data to inform preventative and academic intervention practices. The successful candidate must be able to maintain, analyze, and interpret data to identify opportunities and develop strategies to advance academic achievement and student success. The director will have a high level of interaction with faculty and staff across the university. 

Essential Functions: 

1. Promote Franciscan ideals and adherence to the Mission of the University as demonstrated by the University Ideal Characteristics.  As we are an equal opportunity employer committed to Franciscan values, all employees share responsibility for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the performance of their roles while demonstrating service orientation, respect for all, intellectual curiosity, solution focus and innovation, and mutual accountability.  

2. Commitment to the mission statement, core values, and goals of Alvernia University.  

3. Strategic and system thinker with respect to retention and persistence. 

4. Ability to work and partner with other divisions to enhance student experience 

5. FERPA adherence and attention to detail when handling student data and information. 

Education and preferred qualifications:

• A master’s degree or doctorate in Student Affairs or Higher Education Administration and at least two years’ experience in a supervisory role, experience in academic success, advising, and experience as faculty or instructor. 
• Experience developing, organizing, and implementing educational programs, workshops, or seminars to enhance student development and retention for a diverse student population
• Demonstrated experience in academic success, first-year, and career programming.
• Excellent organization and communication skills. 
• Self-directed and highly organized.  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and database management with the ability to learn additional programs.  

Physical Requirements: 

1. Attendance is required to perform the duties of this job.   

2. Occasional nights and weekends are required for events or appointments on or off campus.  

3. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.  

4. Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.