Senior Director for Retention and Completion

Position Overview:

Oversee the units associated with the academic, career, and personal planning associated with the development of student success. Develop strategies to maximize the opportunities associated with advising students concerning their academic degree as well as their career plans. Directs institutional strategies associated with persistence and retention of undergraduate students at UCO. Collaborate with divisional leadership to coordinate retention, outreach, and student success initiatives. Provide assessment of those efforts to establish an effective and maximization of resources.

Leverage technology (existing or new) to provide an organized and effective process of student outreach to achieve area goals. Consider external audiences for potential partnerships for career development purposes as well as determining how UCO may match with their potential educational needs. Assists with the continued development of the institutional Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) plan regarding any retention or completion-based initiatives. Stays informed of national and regional best practices as they pertain to student retention and completion. The general schedule for this position is 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Department Specific Essential Job Functions:

Function as the chief retention officer for undergraduate students at UCO. Applies strategic analysis concerning specific organizational challenges in order to improve persistence and retention efforts. Assists with the planning and development of retention and graduation/completion goals and strategies for UCO. Identify and analyze barriers to student success and completion and develop organizational strategies for improvement. Partner with departments (internal and external to the division) to assess opportunities for improved persistence and retention efforts. Develop and advocate for area resources (personnel and financial) to meet goals. Serve as Civitas Administrator for UCO. Initiate community partnerships and seek opportunities to expand course offerings to community partners and organizations.

Assist with the content development of orientation activities and programming to ensure student success. Continue to research retention and completion-based sources through professional reading, conferences, colleagues, etc. to provide guidance and direction for future initiatives and implementation. Supervises the Undergraduate Academic Advisement office, the Career Development Center, and the Office of Student Advocacy. Serves on various divisional and institutional committees including but not limited to the Connected Campus Implementation Team, Strategic Enrollment and Persistence Team (SEPT), and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Quality Initiative committee. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications/Experience Required:

• Master’s degree or higher.
• 8+ years experience of successful higher education administrative experience.
• Serves as an example of civility, community, character, and work ethic.
• A discernible record of successful and innovative experience in leadership, administration, and finance.
• A discernible record of leading planning, including program development and implementation of student success and/or retention.
• Appropriate professional accomplishments and credentials.

Qualifications/Experience Preferred :

• Higher Education degree related to Adult Learning, related field, or equivalent work experience that provides extensive knowledge of fundamental theories, principles, and concepts.
• Extensive knowledge and experience with leading, planning, including; innovative program development, program prioritization, and assessment.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of one or more functional areas that align with areas of oversight.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, human relations, public relations and organizational skills.
• Ability to represent the University effectively to external stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and interact professionally with all segments of the University community.
• Good supervisory, report preparation, training and project management skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to hire and effectively supervise employees.
• Ability to make policy and procedure decisions.

Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations (in accordance with ADA requirements) may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.