Providing academic and other support services is essential to the University’s retention and student success efforts. The Assistant Director is a member of the Student Success Center leadership team. The position reports to, advises, assists, and provides support to the Associate Dean and Director of the Student Success Center in achieving University and Student Affairs priorities. Representing and under general supervision of the Associate Dean and Director, this position is responsible for envisioning, explaining, executing, and evaluating data-informed, student-centered, inclusive, developmentally appropriate, and collaborative retention and academic support student experiences and services that improve student learning, student retention, graduation, post-baccalaureate placement, and other student success outcomes of all students from enrollment to degree or program completion. At the employee’s request and in consultation with the disabilities support office (ADA office), employees receive reasonable accommodations to perform the essential duties associated with the position. The position requires predictable evening and weekend hours to supervise or participate in Center, student, staff, and University programs, events, services, and experiences.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:
Position Specific Responsibilities
- Assist with retention and other student success support efforts that include but are not limited to:
- advising pre-nursing and exploratory students while also advising other students as needed;
- student success outreach and coaching;
- workshops and group activities that promote community and a sense of belonging;
- case management and monitoring of assigned students to ensure students receive consistent, timely, and structured services, support, and assistance;
- following up on academic alerts and students of concern reports; and
- assisting students with academic recovery efforts.
- Implement, evaluate, and, as appropriate, reimagine all aspects of the disability accommodation process for students from receiving requests to monitoring provision of accommodation(s) in compliance with the ADA and related federal, state, and local regulations and University policies, which includes but may not be limited to:
- Performing intake interviews to gain a foundational understanding of individual needs and evaluating information from medical and/or psychological professionals to determine eligibility; makes referrals and/or consults with diagnosticians, as necessary;
- Working with individuals to determine reasonable accommodations needed for academic, professional and/or personal success; connects individuals to and/or provides direct resources and services;
- Educating students, families, faculty, and staff on appropriate services for and communications with individuals with disabilities; compiles and distributes necessary documentation to verify the need for accommodation;
- Assisting individuals with solving obstacles unique and/or common to individuals with disabilities; interfaces with campus constituencies to ensure individuals gain equitable access to resources.
- Increasing understanding regarding issues affecting individuals with disabilities by delivering presentations, trainings, workshops and/or educational materials related to research and best practices;
- Documenting interactions with individuals with disabilities and analyzing the effectiveness of accommodations; compiling reports and analyzing data related to accommodations, compliance, and program efficacy; and
- Maintaining currency of knowledge with respect to technology, equipment, applicable laws, regulations, standards and/or systems.
- Supervise at least one professional student success coach.
- Manage the daily operations of the EDGE retention and success program, which includes but is not limited to:
- Working with admissions to identify students;
- Monitoring student performance;
- Fostering a sense of belonging through thoughtful educational and other experiences;
- Planning, implementing, supervising, and evaluating the summer bridge component and other support services;
- Teaching up to three fall and spring one-credit sections of an IN 112 first-year seminar course;
- Ensuring a smooth transition into a major academic discipline;
- Recruiting, selecting, developing, and evaluating EDGE mentors; and
- Assisting with grant-writing and fundraising to support operations.
- Participate in the emergency on-call rotation schedule.
Core Student Affairs Responsibilities
- Promoting Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Sense of Belonging (e.g., foster welcoming environment; participate in and ensure staff participation in appropriate training and professional development; ensure accessibility to services; promote inclusive excellence in programming and service delivery; report policy, legal, and regulatory violations; etc.).
- Completing routine administrative functions as appropriate (e.g., budgeting, report-writing, strategic planning, record-keeping, data collection and management, developing policies and procedures, and evaluation and assessments related to student outcomes and program effectiveness).
- Implementing customer feedback processes to ensure concerns are addressed and improvements are considered.
- Supporting and assisting with signature campus experiences (e.g., Admitted Student Days; Orientation and Registration Days; Convocations; Commencements; Homecoming and Family Weekend; Student Welcome Week; Involvement Fairs; Career Fairs; Annual Awards Program; etc.).
- Collaborating and partnering with campus offices to achieve student success metrics such as retention, engagement, graduation, and placement.
- Serving on appropriate university or community committees, councils, and boards as recommended by the supervisor or University President.
- Providing positive student experiences leading to retention and other student success outcomes.
- Implementing emergency communication plans and protocols which includes providing direction, oversight, guidance, and support as needed in emergency or crisis situations.
- Seeking and proposing opportunities for ongoing appropriate professional development for self and, if applicable, reporting staff.
- Communicating effectively university and department goals, achievements, challenges, solutions, practices, changes, and consistently enforcing all policies and regulations.
- Maintaining high ethical standards and integrity by conducting all operations professionally, including acting in accordance with all Millikin University policies and procedures.
- Performing other mission-critical and job-related duties as assigned based on operational needs.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Student employees and student mentors as budget resources allow.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to succeed in a result-driven professional organization. Additional qualifications specific to this position are below:
Education and/or Experience
Required: Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
Preferred:
- At least three years of direct or transferable experiences.
- Experiences in a college or university setting.
- Experience with enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act and Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
- Experience with developing, monitoring, and/or enforcing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.
- Teaching experiences, preferably college studies, university seminars, academic strategies, etc.
- Experience working in or managing federal TRIO educational outreach programs (e.g., Student Support Services, McNair Scholars, Upward Bound, etc.).
- Experience supervising student or professional staff.
- Experience using student service, retention, or other technological tools such as Banner, Ellucian, TargetX, Argos, etc.
- Experience applying wellness, student development, advising, and/or trauma-informed practices in service-delivery.
Desired Critical Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge of this job are described below.
Skills
- Communication skills: excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Self-management skills: ability to manage time effectively, learn and contribute to overall departmental tasks and goals.
- Project coordination skills: ability to lead or contribute to planning or organizing projects, programs, services, etc.
- Conflict resolution skills: ability to use interpersonal skills to develop and maintain positive professional relationships and resolve conflict in a team environment and with individuals from various diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Analytical skills: ability to analyze information and offer sound recommendations.
- Computational skills: ability to perform basic mathematical computations to assist with financial operations and/or data collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Computer skills: proficiency with word processing and spreadsheet software, preferably Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, Outlook Calendaring, Office 365.
Abilities
- Ability to adhere to work attendance requirements.
- Ability to model self-care and well-being for colleagues and, most importantly, students.
- Ability to manage emotions, function effectively, and make sound decisions in stressful and crisis situations.
- Ability to handle multiple projects, services, activities, etc. in a timely and professional manner in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment.
- Ability to promote and achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion of multi-racial/ethnic, low-income, LGBTQ+, veteran, non-traditional, online, disability, first-generation, and others.
- Ability to be flexible, diplomatic, patient, service-driven, and a self-starter.
- Ability to work independently under limited supervision and in teams.
- Ability to make reasoned administrative and procedural decisions and judgments on sensitive and confidential issues.
- Ability to work evening and weekend hours based on operational need.
- Ability to comply with university vehicle-use requirements (some driving may be necessary, including transporting students and staff to approved events).
Knowledge
- Preparatory knowledge: coursework, military, or work-based knowledge.
- Software/database systems: events management or scheduling software or database platforms related to the position (e.g., we use Banner, TargetX, 25Live, and university-created systems).
- Accountability: experience with applying formative, summative, qualitative, and/or quantitative methodologies which can be used to assess student learning outcomes and/or evaluate operations, programs, and services.
- Multimedia experience: ability to collaborate on or design brochures, event flyers, and/or newsletters and/or ability to develop or manage social media efforts.
- Events management: ability to plan, organize, manage, and execute programs and events.