Director of Student Affairs (Erie, PA)

JOB SUMMARY:  The Director of Student Affairs is responsible for assisting in the overall administration, management, and organizational leadership for the Office of Admissions, Office of Financial Aid, Office of the Registrar, Office of Recruitment, and student services for the College of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, School of Dental Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Services Administration, Post-baccalaureate Program (Postbac), Masters programs, and any other educational programs offered at LECOM to meet the mission of the Institution.

 

CHARACTERISTIC JOB TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following are a list of exercises that may be required as a member of the staff from time to time:

• Promote and preserve the mission of LECOM;
• Maintain confidentiality, professional appearance and pleasant demeanor;
• Respond to all communication inquiries regarding student affairs;
• Act as an administrative and departmental representative with faculty, staff, students and visitors in a professional, friendly manner at all times;
• Assist with oversight and management of the Offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar, Office of Recruitment and student services for all programs offered at LECOM;
• Responsible for the administration of the admissions process for the Institution;
• Serve as a member of the Admissions Committee for all programs offered at LECOM;
• Responsible for ensuring student compliance with institutional policies and regulation;
• Serve as the FERPA Compliance Officer for the Institution;
• Assist the office in developing goals for admissions, financial aid, registrar, recruitment, and student services and formulating strategies and objectives needed to meet those goals;
• Work with the Director of Financial Aid to establish Institutional policies and procedures for student loans and scholarships that are consistent with state and federal regulations;
• Provide direct supervision to the staff of the Office of Student Affairs at the LECOM Erie campus, and work cooperatively with student affairs employees across the other campuses;
• Oversee the hiring, scheduling, training, supervision, and performance expectations of the Office of Student Affairs staff;
• Serve as an assistant ombudsman for all students and act in liaison with the Associate Dean of Preclinical Education and the Associate Dean of Clinical Education;
• Provide individual and group counseling to students and assist them in developing coping strategies to achieve success in their academic programs;
• Oversee the coordination of special events for the Institution: White Coat Ceremony, Registration and Orientation, and Commencement Ceremonies for the LECOM campus;
• Prepare budget information for the Office of Student Affairs;
• Responsible for the yearly update of the Academic Catalog and Student Handbook;
• Represent the Institution at recruitment events, professional conferences, and meetings;
• Coordinate recruitment activities including approval of recruitment travel requests and recruiter travel reimbursements;
• Ancillary responsibilities coordinating and counseling students on the Electronic Residency Application (ERAS), certifying students in the Armed Forces Health Professions Program, and serving as the Institutional designated officer responsible for certifying international students through the Immigration and National Service (INS);
• Prepare weekly, monthly, and annual reports on the admissions process and general operations of the Office of Student Affairs as required;
• Represent the administration for student club and organization groups and attend all Student Government Meetings for all LECOM programs;
• Serve on various Institutional committees to assist with the general operation of the institution;
• Contribute directly to the Mission of LECOM embodying the essence of Osteopathic Principles and Practices by assisting with Institutional fundraising and participating in the LECOM Scholarship Auction;
• Participate in scholarly activity so to enrich and broaden the student learning experience;
• Commit to being a representative of LECOM by being actively involved in the community, including, but not limited to, serving on Boards, participating in community fundraisers and overall outreach; and
• Accept other duties assigned/needed for the Institution’s needs.

 

EOE/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled

 

Minimum Requirements  KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Must possess required knowledge and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• In-depth knowledge of academics, osteopathic medical education, and issues related to the improvement of the excellence of medical students as related to admissions and students services;
• Understanding of issues affecting access to higher education (medical, pharmacy, and dental education) and knowledge of how these issues affect health care;
• Knowledge of how to develop and produce informational and training materials for faculty, staff, and students;  
• Ability to create, oversee, and manage work plans that result in quality productivity and completion of tasks for various offices within the college organizational structure;
• Ability to lead and serve in team settings to establish goals, meet objectives, and evaluate results;
• Ability to identify and value diverse sets of skills among staff, to create and sustain a collaborative working environment;
• Strong computer literacy with MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel…etc.) and accurate data entry skills; 
• Enthusiastic, good sense of humor, and a professional positive attitude;
• Excellent understanding of the admissions process and a demonstrated ability to market and promote professional programs in healthcare administration, medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry;
• Willingness to maintain an established work schedule;
• Adherence to all local, state, and federal laws, as well as LECOM policies and procedures;
• Ability to organize and prioritize work assignments and meet deadlines;
• Knowledge of pertinent laws, policies, procedures and/or guidelines affecting areas of responsibility;
• Ability to be self-reliant and follow instructions;
• Sound decision-making capabilities and the ability to work independently and as directed by the Institutional Director or his/her designee;
• Willingness to assume responsibility, initiate appropriate action, and maintain confidentiality;
• Knowledge of and ability to maintain confidentiality of patient (HIPAA) and student privacy (FERPA);
• Compliance with State and Federal Regulations and Safety Protocols (OSHA);
• Ability to be trained and certified on the Institutional Data System;
• Effective use of interpersonal and communications skills, including tact and diplomacy;
• Effective use of organizational and planning skills, including attention to detail and follow-through;
• Time management skills in assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands;
• Willingness to maintain confidentiality of work-related information and materials;
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships;
• Willingness to be flexible and accept other duties needed/assigned;
• The ability to work cooperatively and collegially with others, consistent with a workplace of dignity and respect in compliance with EEO rules and regulations;
• The ability to report to work as scheduled, ready to devote full attention and energy to the important work of LECOM; and
• The ability to accept work directives from managers and supervisors in a respectful and cooperative manner.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Education and experience equivalent to: an advanced degree and minimum of two to five (2-5) years’ of experience in a business, management, and/or supervisory level position at a postsecondary educational Institution.  In addition, the successful candidate must have extensive administration experience in admissions, a demonstrated ability to market and promote educational programs, and an understanding of the principles and practices required to manage student financial aid.  The successful candidate must be a goal-oriented professional with excellent interpersonal, leadership, communication, organizational, planning, and public relations skills.