Assistant Director of Student Success

Position Overview:

The Assistant Director of Student Success will lead academic support initiatives for the institution, including (but not limited to) academic advising, academic recovery, and academic intervention initiatives. The Assistant Director will be leading programs for students in academic distress such as the Golden Eagle Academic Recovery (GEAR) and Academic Care Team programs along with assessing future programming needs. The Assistant Director will also maintain an advising load. The Assistant Director also supervises the Student Success Center in the absence of the Director of Student Success and Academic Advising.

Compensation and Term:

• 12-month, full-time annual renewable position.
• Compensation commensurate with experience, qualifications, and academic discipline.
  • Range will be created by HR/Business Office
• Competitive benefits including health and retirement.

Appointment and Reporting:

• Reports to the Director of Student Success and Academic Advising.
• Hired through a competitive national/international search.

Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities:

Student Success, Academic Intervention, and Academic Recovery Initiatives (40%)

• Collaborate with the Director of Student Success and Academic Advising on the development, implementation, and assessment of a comprehensive student success and retention plan to include strategies and interventions informed by theory, inclusive and equitable practices, and data-informed practices that enhance student retention and graduation rates.
• Serve as a co-facilitator for academic intervention initiatives for students, including Academic Care Team.
• Participate in the planning and implementation of student success initiatives, workshops, orientations, and other programs.
• Oversee student success initiatives for students through coaching students on academic topics such as study strategies, exam preparation, note-taking, time management, etc.
• Collaborate with faculty to identify at-risk students and provide appropriate intervention, and help with faculty outreach and recruitment events.
• Coordinate, prepare, conduct, assess, and continuously improve workshops
• Provide services and support to at-risk students and students on academic warning.

General Academic Advising (50%)

• Provide dedicated support to both online and on-campus students while supporting comprehensive advising efforts through the Student Success Center.
• Apply thorough knowledge of curricular options, requirements, policies, and academic planning skills to assist an assigned advising caseload of on-campus and/or online students in making registration choices that promote degree progress and attainment while optimizing collegiate engagement experiences.
• Monitor student progress in order to proactively and, when necessary, intrusively intervene, advocate, and recommend resources and solutions to academic difficulties and barriers student experience in policies and processes.
• In collaboration with faculty mentors, guide on-campus and online students through major and career decision-making processes to assist students in degree completion.
• Apply strong interpersonal techniques including active listening, empathetic responses, and questioning through in-person and virtual interactions to develop trusting relationships with students in order to promote their sense of belonging to campus.
• Critically apply various student development theories and advising practices to assess readiness and then appropriately challenge and support students with diverse assets, needs, backgrounds, and talents to make informed decisions about personal, academic, and career goals.
• Review student records and progress to guide degree completion and determine academic standing related to satisfactory progress policies and guidelines.
• Evaluate and act upon requests for exception to policy through petitions; consult as appropriate with colleagues, faculty, and academic administrators in making final decisions.
• Execute detailed degree planning through the use of technology and interpretation of data to communicate accurate information about students.
• Counsel students using independent judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Provide input on the development, evaluation, and continuous improvement of advising systems and processes.

Leadership (10%)

• Mentor new academic advisors in the development of their professional skillset, including the maintenance of an Academic Advisor Manual.
• Remain current and involved with comprehensive and function-specific professional associations and emerging trends in the field.
• Provide supervisory guidance with student workers in the Student Success Center as needed.
• Contribute toward Student Success Center program development and evaluation metrics.
• Create and utilize a network of relationships with faculty, and student affairs educators to effectively deliver advising and support services.
• Leverage existing technology to foster better outreach to students to promote timely academic progress toward a degree.
• Offer new, creative, and innovative approaches and practices to accomplish academic advising goals including the use of group modalities.
• Refer students, staff, and faculty to the appropriate resources within the SSC or other areas on campus.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in an applicable field of study
• At least four years of related professional work experience.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competence, and achievement in working with diverse student populations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience working with higher education student success programs.
• Experience working as an academic advisor
• Demonstrated commitment to student success.
  

Pay Range: $55,000 - $67,000 per year; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Required application materials: Cover letter and resume

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC)

With a strong tradition of technology-enhanced teaching and learning, the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) serves as the U's major outpost in Northwest Minnesota. UMC provides both experiential, career-oriented degree programs as well as high-quality online programs, while connecting its teaching, research, and outreach to rural economic development and service to the region and beyond.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).