Career Center

Ohio Wesleyan University is a selective, private, undergraduate liberal art, residential institution founded in 1842 and located just 20 miles north of Columbus, is seeking candidates for the position of Director of First Generation Student Success. This is a salaried, full-time position with benefits.

Job Summary:

The Bishop Elevate program seeks to provide evidence-based practices to support and advance the achievement of domestic and international first-generation college students, from the point of acceptance through to graduation. The Director is responsible for developing the Bishop Elevate program's vision, strategy, and development of programs, services to achieve institutional goals for first-generation students and families. In addition to providing programs and support for first-generation students, the Director helps guide the university, in collaboration with the First-Generation Student Advisory Council, on the development of systemic structural enhancements that are vital to the success of first-generation student achievement. Reporting to the Dean of Student Services, the Director will maintain the following responsibilities:

Responsibilities and duties:

• Partner with key campus first-year experience (FYE) stakeholders to support the successful transition of first-generation students into the campus community
• Develop and implement a first-generation transition plan for parents/families and students' personal support systems]
• Design and implement targeted programs rooted in best practices, institutional data, and student success research that respond to the specific needs of first-generation students
• Assess current university student program activities and efforts to support the enhancement of current offerings with a lens to serve first-generation students
• Provide 1:1 support to first-generation students through individual meetings, programs, etc.
• In partnership with academic and co-curricular campus partners, support first-generation students' academic, social, emotional, and vocational needs
• Help build a sense of community among first-generation students, as well as connections to staff and faculty across campus
• Partner with Career Connections to facilitate on and off campus employment and internship opportunities for first-generation students, to include career development and career readiness services and programming
• Guide the collection and analysis of institutional and national data to strategize and prioritize programmatic first-generation student and family support needs
• Guide (as appropriate) the training and development of best practices in supporting first-generation students and their support systems to university constituencies

Factors contributing success:

• Master's degree required with minimally 1-3 years of direct professional experience in a college or university
• Direct, relevant experience working with or in support of first-generation students and families
• Expertise and knowledge of best practices in supporting first-generation students and families
• A commitment to first-generation student success through personal experience, research interests, and/or practice
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices, trends, and student development theory in higher education
• Experience with programmatic development, evaluation, and assessment in a college setting
• Ability to be flexible and work comfortably with a high degree of independence
• An entrepreneurial spirit to successfully build a foundation for first-generation student programs on campus

Completed application packets will include:

 1. Cover Letter with salary requirements

2. Resume or Curriculum Vitae

3.References will be requested for top candidates

WHAT WE OFFER:

Ohio Wesleyan University offers a rewarding place to work! To discover why this should be your next work home, visit our website. Learn more about our benefits at Discover our Benefits. As an equal opportunity institution, OWU has a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. We do not discriminate on any basis including: race, religion, color, culture, national origin, sex and/or sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, economic barriers, or any other legally protected factor.

NOTE: Employment sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. OWU requires COVID-19 vaccination of all employees. Candidates who accept offers of employment must be able to provide proof of their vaccination status.

About Ohio Wesleyan University

OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY (www.owu.edu) is a private liberal arts college located 20 miles north of Columbus in Delaware, Ohio. OWU is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment and welcomes applications from all. OWU celebrates diversity and does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, religion, color, culture, national origin, sex and/or sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, economic barriers, or any other legally protected factor. OWU is an equal opportunity institution and has a strong commitment to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Qualified individuals will not be disadvantaged based on being unemployed.

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