Assistant Director for Title III

Guided by student development theory and an eight-dimension student wellness framework, the Assistant Director is responsible for student experiences and academic operations practices that promote positive academic, retention, graduation, placement, and personal satisfaction outcomes by planning, implementing, and evaluating programs, activities, and events that engage and develop students from new student orientation to degree or program completion. The position requires high student contact and high visibility. This role also assists and supports the supervisor with matters related to the daily operations of the Student Success Center, critical departmental functions such as success and academic coaching, and maintaining positive relationships with campus collaborators that serve key aspects of the institution, such as athletics and admissions. 

The position requires predictable evening and weekend hours to supervise or participate in student, staff, and University programs, events, services, and experiences. In compliance with federal and state disability laws and consultation with Human Resources, employees receive reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties associated with the position upon request and evaluation. 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. This has the potential to be a live-in position as it has emergency on-call rotation responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Position Specific Responsibilities

1. Assisting with oversight and support of the Title III Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) Grant.
   • Supporting the director with federal reporting guidelines, such as the Annual Performance Review
   • Supporting the director with managing the budget and reconciling expenses
   • Supervising the Peer Mentor Certification Program
   • Assisting with the development, implementation, and evaluation of Title III activities and projects
   • Assisting with other objectives as needed for operational priorities
2. Entering engagement and activity data into internal measurement documents based on requirements.
3. Advocating for, communicating on behalf of, publicizing, and representing the project with university leaders, within the university community, and externally among the local town and the national higher education community.
4. Providing student success coaching to a caseload of undergraduates in need of services due to risk factors for early attrition and/or non-completion.
5. Supervising professional staff (e.g., assisting with recruitment coordination, selection, training, evaluation, and continuous professional development).
6. Serving as a liaison to appropriate University departments (e.g., Business Office, Center for International Education, Public Safety, Admission, Athletics, Alumni Office, etc.)
7. Assisting with supporting, as needed, the Bias Intervention Team (training provided).
8. Assisting the supervisor with tasks, activities, and initiatives as assigned and related to maintaining positive relations with campus collaborators.
9. Serving as the responsible administrator in the absence of the Project Director.
10. Participating in the Student Affairs emergency on-call rotation efforts (training provided).  

Core Student Affairs Responsibilities

1. Promoting Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and a Sense of Belonging (e.g., foster a 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.).
2. 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).
3. Implementing customer feedback processes to ensure concerns are addressed and improvements are considered.
4. Assisting colleagues with planning and programming related to signature campus events (e.g., Orientation and Registration Days; Convocations and Commencements; Family Weekend and Homecoming; The Spring Big Event; Student Welcome Week; Involvement Fairs; Cookie Event Tradition; Career Fairs; Late Night Pancake Breakfast; Annual Awards Program; etc.).
5. Collaborating and partnering with campus offices to achieve student success metrics such as retention, engagement, graduation, and placement.
6. Serving on appropriate university or community committees, councils, and boards as recommended by the supervisor or University President.
7. Participating in student recruitment and providing positive student experiences leading to retention and other student success outcomes.
8. Implementing emergency communication plans and protocols which includes providing direction, oversight, guidance, and support as needed in emergency or crisis situations.
9. Seeking and proposing opportunities for ongoing appropriate professional development for self and, if applicable, reporting staff.
10. Communicating effectively university and department goals, achievements, challenges, solutions, practices, and changes, and consistently enforcing all policies and regulations.
11. Maintaining high ethical standards and integrity by conducting all operations professionally, including acting in accordance with all Millikin University policies and procedures.
12. Performing other mission-critical and job-related duties as assigned based on operational needs. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES   

The position assists with supervising two professional staff and any student staff funded by the Title III Grant. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to succeed in a result-driven professional organization. Transferable skills from relevant experiences in education, not-for-profit, business, or other industries and fields will be considered. Additional qualifications specific to this position are below:  

Education and/or Experience

Required 

• Bachelor’s Degree  

 Preferred

• Master’s degree preferred.
• At least two years of direct or transferable experience. Graduate Assistantships, Internships, and Practical experiences will count as half-year (.50) time.
• Experiences in a college or university setting.
• Experience applying wellness, student development, advising, and/or trauma-informed practices in service delivery.   
• Experience hiring and/or supervising staff at any professional level.
• Experience facilitating, teaching, and/or developing educational or training programs.
• Experience in student learning assessment or program evaluation.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.
• Experience using software or database platforms related to the position (e.g., we use Banner, TargetX, government platforms (G5, HEPIS), Moodle.)
• Experience in risk management practices. 

Desired Critical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities of this job are described below. 

Knowledge 

• Preparatory knowledge: coursework, military, or work-based knowledge.
• Software/database systems: housing management, events management, scheduling software, or other database platforms related to the position.
• Accountability: experience with applying formative, summative, qualitative, and/or quantitative methodologies that 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.  

Skills   

• Communication skills: excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Self-management skills: the 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, and 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 needs.
• Ability to comply with university vehicle-use requirements (some driving may be necessary, including transporting students and staff to approved events).