The Director of Advising & Retention will provide leadership to the Advising and Retention Department, including a focus on comprehensive service to students via a caseload model, advisor training, assessment of student learning and satisfaction, development for degree completion and transfer initiatives, and collaboration with college departments. The Director will work closely with the Division leadership to utilize software and college resources to proactively identify areas for growth in delivering a holistic advising experience. The Director is responsible for leading integrated retention efforts that includes the management of communications, data driven recommendations for services, and staffing and coordination of specific initiatives for first-year and returning students.
Responsible for development, implementation and assessment of Academic Advising department goals and student retention goals in conjunction with division leadership.
Compile and present data informed proposals and recommendations regarding immediate and long-range planning for advising and retention efforts.
Responsible for planning, directing, and assessing a comprehensive academic advisement program.
Develop and lead retention-based outreach programs to currently enrolled students in coordination with division leadership.
Coordinate advising assignments with a focus on opportunities to continually improve student communication, connections with advisors, and intrusive outreach program to provide support and assess retention-based outcomes.
Supervise and coordinate work schedules for an advising team of 19 staff members and support daily operations of Academic Advising and Retention department in conjunction with Assistant Director.
Facilitate training and evaluation for Advising staff members.
Design and implement effective and ongoing training programs for faculty advisors and academic advisors to insure outstanding and consistent academic advising services to students.
Collaborate with faculty, advising staff, and EMSS division staff in creating and coordinating appropriate student support services related to educational pathways to retention, graduation, and transfer.
Actively coordinate and serve as department liaison with academic deans, program coordinators, faculty, student success and enrollment management staff in the design, development and assessment of effective advising processes, resources, and training programs.
Supervise and support the efforts to create and sustain relationships with partners for successful student transfer.
Ensure the effective design and dissemination of effective transfer resources for students, faculty and staff to insure the easy accessibility of accurate advising and transfer information.
Identify, recommend, implement and maintain appropriate technology-based advising support services to enhance the caseload advising model.
Collaborates with Retention Committee to review and assign academic standings and coordinates outreach to students in compliance with academic standards policy.
Develop and maintain methods of fiscal control over the programs within institutional parameters and guidelines, including budget monitoring, reviewing and approving staff hours and timesheets, departmental purchase orders, honorariums, reimbursements, etc.
Provide leadership, assistance and support to EMSS division and college programs and represent the college at community, county, regional and state meetings when requested.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
OVERALL PURPOSE AND RESPONSIBILITY: The primary and most important overall responsibility of all employees is to provide service in a pleasant, helpful, and effective manner to our students and other members of the College community.
Education Required: Master?s degree required; preferred focus in higher education or student affairs/student services.
Experience Required: Minimum of five (5) years of experience related to academic advising or retention and minimum of three (3) years of experience in supervising professional staff in a higher education setting.
Skills/Abilities /Knowledge /Other Requirements:
Demonstrated understanding of academic advising, student retention, and the community college student population, including best practices.
Demonstrated ability to work with students, staff and faculty of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, including those with different levels of academic preparation and varying physical and learning abilities.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with academic and student services staff to design and implement effective advising and retention efforts.
Skilled use of technology as a tool for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data, informing decisions and presenting information.
Strong interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills.
Demonstrated experience with supervision and management within complex, multi-faceted education environments.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, diplomacy, discretion, and confidentiality.
Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail.