Director of Student Affairs

The Director of Student Affairs is responsible for overall program operations, resource development, student groups and organizations, and partnerships to support students and a culture of inclusion and belonging. The Director will also provide advising to students, timely and accurate communication, and coordinate the provision of accommodations for students.  The position is also responsible for the effectiveness and efficiency of the Student Affairs Office, the Director will also lead operations, including implementing procedures and processes and supervising the Senior Coordinator of Diversity & Student Programs and the Operations Coordinator. The position will report directly to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and is responsible for building and maintains partnerships with other Law School departments, including Academic & Bar Success, Admissions, Career Services, Communications, Curriculum, International Programs, IT, as well as with other Law School departments and University-based and external partners to facilitate program success.

The Law School is proud to serve a diverse and varied group of students. This candidate will need to work effectively across these diverse communities and work collaboratively to foster an environment of equity and inclusion.

 This position requires occasional attendance at on and off-campus events during and outside normal business hours.

Responsibilities:

 STUDENT PROGRAMMING (30%)

Lead and provide strategic programming, resource development, effective communication, and partnerships to support student community needs, including fostering a collegial community, supporting a climate of belonging and inclusion, supporting wellness and wellbeing, budget management, and supporting professional identity development reflected in Minnesota Law’s Learning Outcomes; Effectively message and facilitate student concerns to departments and the administration, increase the feeling of community, and build interpersonal connections among students, between students and faculty, and between students and the administration;  Develop, manage, and provide strategic programming each year, including orientations, 1L workshops, and other annual programming with your Student Affairs team (Operations Coordinator and the Senior Coordinator of Diversity & Student Programs) and other Law School, University, and community partners; Advance and update resources and other information to support equity and inclusion, wellness and wellbeing, degree progression and academic requirements, and other Student Services-related initiatives, and helps develop and improve policies, and procedures; Create strategic plans for timely and effective communications to the student community on Student Affairs programming, resources, collaborations, and other relevant information; Guide and serve on relevant Law School committees, including Admissions, Educational Policy, and Diversity and Belonging Affinity Council.

 STUDENT COUNSELING AND ADVISING (40%)

Provide one-on-one counseling and advising to students on the JD academic program, as well as academic success, mental health, wellbeing, and accommodations Advise students on academic questions including registration, concentration paths, degree requirements, dual degree options, studying away or transferring, and other academic matters; Counsel students on various areas of concern, including issues of bias and inclusion, student conduct, leaves of absence and withdrawals, attendance and grading policies, disability accommodations, and the support functions of key Law School and University offices; Appropriately address crisis situations involving students, faculty, or staff, by alerting appropriate Law School officials, referring to resources, or conferring directly with a distressed student; Oversee with University Student Counseling Services (SCS) to create and maintain support structures for law students both on-site and through ongoing programming; Subject matter expert for Law School faculty, staff, and other constituencies for Student Affairs-related questions (e.g. FERPA access issues, disability compliance, grading concerns, student concerns from faculty, absences, etc.).

 STUDENT ACCOMMODATIONS (20%)

Manage the provision of required accommodations for students with disabilities along with the Assistant Dean of Students; act as liaison to Disability Resource Center (DRC), faculty and faculty assistants, and individual students; consult faculty, staff, and student employees on implementation of accommodations; reinforce academic and professional expectations for students receiving accommodations; Liaise with DRC specialists and OED/EEOC officials on student issues/concerns about access or materials; Foster a community for students with disabilities to ensure access to needed materials, resources, and to assist with submission of assignments or variances; serve as a liaison between students with disabilities and faculty in terms of universal design, course accommodations, and issues requiring extensions or variances during the semester; Govern the tracking of accommodations needs and accommodations to implement during courses and exams; Facilitate other non-disability academic accommodations, including for religious observance or temporary illness or crisis situations 

 SPECIAL PROJECTS / PROJECT MANAGEMENT (10%)

Supervise the data gathering and survey reporting as needed, including for the ABA and the Law School Survey of Student Engagement; Expand and grow current data gathering, tracking, and analysis to ensure more consistent reporting for the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the Student Affairs team (APLUS, GPAS, etc.) Manage other special projects assigned. Create a system for exam administration support (as needed).

Qualifications:

REQUIRED

• The successful candidate will hold a BA/BS degree—have a minimum of 8 years of experience in legal practice and/or student services/higher education; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of counseling, either through professional training or significant experience, is desirable.
• We seek candidates who are established collaborators in the workplace, within the immediate department and the larger institution, with strong evidence of teamwork and partnerships beyond the immediate job description.
• This position requires excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and intercultural communication skills, as well as strong project management and organizational skills.
• A successful candidate will possess the ability to interact professionally and effectively with law students, members of the legal profession, and colleagues.
• Experience working with a diverse population is also preferred.

PREFERRED 

• Holds an advanced degree
• JD is strongly preferred