Associate Director, Student Success and Engagement

The Associate Director, Student Success and Engagement provides leadership, direction, and coordination of programming, services, and student success related initiatives that promote student engagement, success, retention, persistence, and completion. 

• Provides program coordination, leadership, design, and implementation of student success and engagement programming and initiatives to support retention, persistence, and degree completion. 
• Ensures program objectives align with the institutional strategic plan and goals, as well as departmental, divisional, and institutional priorities. 
• Oversees a caseload of students and manages the assessment and evaluation of programs; utilizes data to inform program planning, improvement, and reporting on outcomes and impact. 
• Supports weekend and evening departmental, divisional, and institutional initiatives, programs, and events. 
• Develops and manages curricular and co-curricular programs that promote academic success, foster belonging, and encourage student involvement; supports first-year, transfer, and all student-related experiences, including summer bridge and success programs. 
• Cultivates strong partnerships with departments within the division, academic affairs, and other divisions to advance retention, persistence, and completion goals. Serves on university committees and contributes to collaborative initiatives as assigned. 
• Provides supervision of staff and students within the hierarchy of the position. Fosters a collaborative and team approach. Assists with indirect supervision of students in the department. 

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Direct Reports:

• Full Time Employees

Delegation of Work:

• Regularly assigns work to subordinate(s)

Supervision Given:

• Has primary responsibility for conducting performance evaluations and making recommendations for hiring and dismissing employees.

Required Education:

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Leadership, Counseling, or Student Affairs or related field. 

Required Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of Higher Education, Student Affairs or Leadership experience.

License/Certification:

• None Required

• Doctorate degree in higher education, student affairs, leadership, or related discipline. 

Knowledge:

• Knowledgeable and keen understanding of student success development and theory. 
• Proficiency in program assessment, evaluation and databases and platforms.

Skills:

• Understanding of the student experience with diverse populations and proficiency in managing multiple projects, initiatives, and programs, in addition to meeting established deadlines.
• Understanding of working in and leading a team.
• Excellent communication, problem solving, decision-making, and interpersonal skills. 

Abilities:

• Ability to work collaboratively and cross-functionally with other departments and divisions.  
• Ability to analyze data and translate findings and outcomes to actionable strategies for implementation

Primary Work Location:

• Works in an office environment.

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements; individual has discretion in relation to walking, standing etc., and has minimal exposure to physical risks. Standing (5%), walking (5%), sitting (70%), lifting (5%, carrying (5%), hearing (100%), and seeing (100%) 

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Dependability

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Flexibility

• Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
• Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
• Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
• Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Proficiency

• Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Customer Service Management

• Ensures customer’s needs and expectations are addressed within his/her department or section. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
• Mentors and guides department/section staff by sharing knowledge and best practices to appropriately respond to customer’s requests.
• Monitors staff interactions with customers for professional conduct, consistent application of university policies and procedures, and follow up of outstanding requests.
• Assumes responsibility for addressing complex or unusual requests. 

Computer/Automated System Proficiency

• Proficient in the use of university applications or automated systems to perform job duties. 
• Complies with related policies, procedures, and work rules to maintain system security and data integrity. 

Building External Relationships

• Demonstrates the ability to build rapport and develop relationships with external constituents.
• Displays a genuine interest in constituents’ ideas and concerns, and pursues mutual interests and aspirations between the university and external constituents.
• Builds trust and forms alliances through shared respect and cooperation. 

Decision Making

• Demonstrates the ability to make informed decisions in a timely manner.
• Assimilates and/or secures relevant information to assess the risks and benefits of alternatives.
• Considers impact of decision in the long and short term. 

Supervision

• Supervises the work of staff employees.
• Sets clear goals and expectations within reasonable timeframes.
• Motivates staff through constructive feedback, challenging assignments, and recognition of achievements.
• Provides mentorship and guidance by sharing expertise and best practices.
• Supports staff by providing essential resources, professional development opportunities, and open communication.
• Promptly addresses performance issues with appropriate measures and discretion.

Student Success Direct Support

• Assists and/or advises students and/or prospective students with academic plans and course selection, financial options, career plans, and/or student opportunities.
• Contributes to student success through careful monitoring of student progress within caseload.
• Promotes student success through regular and persistent outreach to student caseload.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Shares relevant knowledge and insight to apprise students of programs and services available to them.
• Listens and responds to student requests and concerns with patience and understanding.
• Treats students with respect.