Director of Student Success Services
Christopher Newport University

Job Info

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Working Title:

Director of Student Success Services

Position Number:

FA435

FLSA:

Exempt

Appointment Type:

Full Time

Sensitive Position:

No

Sensitive Position Statement:

A sensitive position requires a fingerprint-based criminal history check. This is NOT a sensitive position.

Campus Security Authority:

Yes

Campus Security Authority Statement:

A Campus Security Authority (or CSA) is defined as an "official of the institution with significant responsibility for student and campus activities." A CSA is required to immediately report any crime that is reported to them to the University Police who will then review, evaluate, and investigate the reported crime. Annual training is required by the Department of Education for all personnel who have been designated as a Campus Security Authority.

Designated Personnel:

Yes

Designated Personnel Statement:

This position is a "designated position" meaning this position could potentially be required to work (depending on the event) during an emergency closing.

Statement of Economic Interest:

No

Statement of Economic Interest Statement:

This position does NOT require a Statement of Personal Economic Interest.

Restricted Position:

No

Restricted Position Statement:

A restricted position would be subject to availability of funding. This is NOT a restricted position.

Chief Objective of Position:

Under the direction of the Senior Director of Transfer and Student Success Services, the Director of Student Success Services leads and enhances a comprehensive framework of support services within the Center for Student Success that foster academic achievement, personal growth, and overall student well-being.

The Director will ensure that all students have equitable access to resources and opportunities that empower them to thrive throughout their college experience and beyond. This role will focus on developing innovative programs, facilitating collaboration among departments, and leveraging data to drive strategic initiatives aimed at improving student retention, completion, and post-graduate outcomes of all Christopher Newport University students.

The expected start date for this position will be in January 2025.

Work Tasks:

Leadership:

• Collaborates with the Senior Director of Transfer and Student Success Services to provide strategic leadership within the Center and supervision of all student success staff for the overall operational effectiveness of the Center for Student Success.
• Provides direction and oversight to the Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Success Services to include responsibilities such as development and facilitation of study hall, success coaching, and workshops, monitoring outreach and support to student-athletes who may experience academic difficulty or become disassociated from their athletic team.
• Provides direction and oversight to the Assistant Director of Peer Education to include responsibilities such as peer tutoring, peer mentoring, and supplemental instruction.
• Develops and provides onboarding, training, oversight, and routine performance reviews for success coaching services offered within the Center.
• Plays a key role in maintaining and growing strategic partnerships across the campus community to advance the University's goals regarding student success and completion.
• Represents the Center and serves a critical role as a member of the Enrollment, Student Success, and Institutional Effectiveness leadership team.
• Provides training sessions for staff, student workers and faculty regarding best practices and optimum intervention strategies for student success.
• Provides a high quality of leadership and managerial support to the Center.

Management:

• Leads the Center in identifying students in need of support services. Develops and implements programs, workshops, and interventions to help students reach their full potential.
• Supports university retention efforts by coordinating student support services through innovative, high-impact programs and effective collaboration with campus partners.
• Identifies at-risk students and manages support efforts for these students including, but not limited to, referrals, tutoring, writing assistance, peer mentoring, success coaching, and engagement.
• Partners with the Faculty Director of the Writing Center to ensure the delivery of proactive and comprehensive services and programs through The Alice K. Randall Writing Center.
• Collaborates to identify students in need and develop effective programming and outreach strategies.
• Collaborates with the Faculty Director of Academic Success to enhance advising for first and second-year students, develop support systems around learning communities, and effectively address student needs.
• Identifies grant opportunities and prepares proposals for grants and alternative funding sources for niche initiatives.
• Maintains an environment of continuous improvement that includes effective assessment of services and develops healthy professional development processes for staff and student staff.

Assessment, Statistical Analysis, and Reports:

• Compiles documentation of non-enrolled students via the division's "recruit back" process with particular attention on first and second-year students.
• Supervises the yearly coordination and implementation of the Ruffalo Noel-Levitz College Student Inventory (CSI) and the Mid-Year Student Assessment (MYSA) to all first-year students. On an as needed basis, administers the Second-Year Student Assessment (SYSA) and/or the Student Satisfaction Inventory (SSI). Compiles results, identifies patterns and/or concerns and provides outcomes to senior division leadership annually.
• Develops and reports on 'Key Performance Indicators' and outcomes for regional accreditation in addition to submission of yearly unit action plan for addressing unmet measures of performance.
• Collects, reviews and analyzes predictive data related to student retention and completion to develop and implement programming and interventions to support student success, retention, and completion.
• Designs, develops, implements, and maintains an evaluation and assessment plan for all programs and initiatives and provides assessment analyses and data to senior division leadership, making recommendations as needed.
• Compiles and manages documentation of all outreach and intervention efforts. Provides reports to the Senior Director, the Associate Vice President, and/or the Vice President, as directed.

Captains Care Referrals System:

• Responsible for the ongoing development, implementation, and improvement of the Captains Care Referral system and makes recommendations for improvement to the Senior Director.
• Develops, grows, and maintains relationships with campus partners while addressing and resolving referral issues.
• Distributes referrals to appropriate CSS and campus staff; develops creative and strategic approaches to reach students of concern.
• Monitors the timely resolution of all referrals to the Center.
• Collects data, prepares reports, and provides routine analysis to senior division leadership regarding referrals and outcomes.

Transition Courses:

• Oversees and collaborates with the Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Success Services to develop and maintain curriculum in adherence with university governance for the two student success courses: COLL 140: The Transitional Learner; and COLL 150: The Intentional Learner.
• Collaborating with the Senior Director, identifies qualified instructors, in compliance with SCHEV and SACSCOC, to meet the demands of the students, provides initial training, and oversees the daily activities associated with these courses.
• Develops and implements a plan for assessing course effectiveness and provides routine reports to senior division leadership.
• Reviews student course evaluations and course outcomes and makes adjustments to course content as needed to align with the changing needs of our students and feedback from faculty teaching first-year students.
• Ensures adequate seats are available for those students required to complete these course(s).
• Makes recommendations to the Senior Director regarding students who should be enrolled in COLL 140 and 150.
• Serves as instructor of these courses, depending on Center activities and student enrollment.

Summer Transition Programs:

• Develops curriculum and framework for an enhanced summer transition (bridge) program to help on-board first-time in college students to the university environment.
• Identifies necessary high-impact practices for effective onboarding.
• Creates and implements an assessment plan for continuous improvement and to ensure overall student success as a result of program completion, and makes adjustments to the program in response to feedback and data analysis.

Other Support Services and Programs:

• Responsible for the composition and distribution of 'The Great Lawn' newsletter to parents of targeted student groups (as defined by the division Vice President or Associate Vice President), meeting established publication deadlines and adjusting content and contributors in response to the needs of our students.
• Develops and updates a rubric for identifying students who are "at risk" of not being successful either in their anticipated discipline/major or at the institution, overall, and assigns appropriate intervention and support programs to help students persist and complete.
• Develop, implement, and assess a support program focusing on the retention and completion of first-generation college students.
• Develops, implements, and monitors programs for students on academic probation and academic suspension. Designs and provides oversight for the University's Academic Recovery Agreement and Plan processes and Sailing to Success programming for these students. Develops and conducts an assessment of the overall effectiveness of the academic recovery program and provides suggestions for improvement.
• Coordinates proactive outreach and student success interventions following three-week, midterm, and final grades.
• Responsible for the planning and effective execution of the University's annual Signing Day event.
• Maintains a small student caseload, as directed.

Campus Collaboration:

• Works collaboratively with all faculty, staff, organizations, and constituencies to foster campus collaboration that enhances overall student success and provides student-centered support.
• Coordinates intervention strategies with the Faculty Director of Academic Success, Deputy University Registrar, Office of Counseling Services, Center for Career Planning, The Transfer Center, Financial Aid, Disability Services, Dean of Students, Department of Athletics, Honors Program, President's Leadership Program, Office of Orientation and Student Involvement, and other campus partners who provide complementary support services.
• Represents the division and presents at various evening and/or weekend events including but not limited to admission recruitment events, orientation events, Community Captains events, and fundraising events, as directed or needed.
• Represents the Division of Enrollment, Student Success, and Institutional Effectiveness at campus Student Update Meetings (SUM) reporting areas of concern to supervisor and division senior leadership as necessary.
• Plays an integral role in the student success focused programming for Setting Sail, Changing Tides, Welcome Week, admitted student events, etc.
• Serves and engages, as needed and as appointed, on university committees, councils, and working groups.

Communication and Marketing:

• Responsible for updates and management of the Center's internal and external websites and social media accounts.
• Directs the marketing of the Center for Student Success and services provided.
• Designs, creates and produces consumer information for students, parents, and other constituencies in various media.
• Maintains frequent and ongoing communication and collaborates with supervisor, Associate Vice President, and/or Vice President.

Safety:

• Follows workplace safety regulations and adheres to applicable standards, processes, and programs established for the position.
• Immediately reports unsafe work conditions and work-related incidents to the supervisor and participates in accident investigation requests.
• This position is designated as a "responsible employee" who has the authority to redress sexual violence, who has the duty to report incidents of sexual violence or other student misconduct, or who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty.
• Report work-related incidents within 24 hours according to the procedures established by the university, state and federal guidelines.

Customer Service:

• Fosters and upholds a culture of exceptional customer service and professional relationships within the office and across all constituencies, including students, faculty, staff, guests, and employees. Demonstrates a positive, professional demeanor while treating everyone with dignity and respect. Fully embraces the "Students First" value at CNU, consistently going above and beyond to deliver outstanding service.
• Develops and maintains very positive and professional customer service and/or relations within the Center and with all constituencies including students, faculty, staff, guests, and employees.
• Projects a positive image of the department and university to all constituents.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA's) related to position:

• Ability to lead change and innovation in a complex environment with expertise in working effectively with various campus constituent groups.
• Strong organizational and communication skills to include written and oral.
• Working knowledge of student development and educational learning theories.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment
• Ability to manage priorities with competing deadlines and achieve needed outcomes.
• Ability to effectively communicate with various levels of campus leadership regarding student success trends, themes, etc.

Required Education:

Master's degree or a Bachelor's Degree and experience that equates to an advanced degree.

Additional Consideration - Education:

Master's Degree, or higher, in College Student Personnel, Counseling, Educational Psychology, or Higher Education.

Experience Required:

• Leadership, management, and supervisory experience in a higher education setting.
• Experience in higher education student success services, advising, enrollment services, student affairs, or directly related higher education experience.
• Experience with student development and evidence of excellent listening and communication skills.
• Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience handling confidential information with discretion according to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) or similar regulations.
• Experience with conducting analysis of data and writing detailed reports.
• Experience with computer technologies such as databases, spreadsheets, and tracking systems.

Additional Consideration - Experience:

• Experience with innovative and strategic leadership of teams in long and short-term planning and goal attainment.
• Leadership, management, or supervisory experience in a higher education setting with demonstrated effectiveness in managing student success programs and services.
• Experience with assessment and continuous improvement with a commitment to understanding issues affecting the achievement and retention of undergraduate students.
• Experience related to student support services.
• Experience with effectiveness in teaching at the collegiate level.
• Experience at working one-on-one with college students in an academic "coaching"/counseling dynamic.
• Experience in software applications such as Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Canva, etc.

Salary Information:

Starting at $87,000, commensurate with education and experience.

CNU Information:

Christopher Newport University is anchored in excellence, and that is reflected in our ranking as the #1 regional public university in Virginia and #3 among regional public universities in the South. We are an inclusive and kind community, founded on our shared values of honor, scholarship, service and leadership. We offer an outstanding liberal arts education provided by dedicated, gifted teacher-scholars who are supported by a compassionate team of faculty and staff. Our 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students pursue more than 90 areas of study, as they live and learn on a largely residential campus. CNU's on-campus performing and visual arts centers offer Broadway shows, world-class performances, engaging exhibitions, transformative lectures and classes, and more. Our athletics program is the winningest at any level in Virginia.

Christopher Newport University is in the heart of Newport News, a vibrant city with breathtaking scenery and unique experiences. The city and region offer affordable neighborhoods, local and name-brand shops, diverse dining options, local parks and water access, and fun recreational opportunities. Whatever your interests and goals, you belong at CNU! For further details and information about Christopher Newport, visit cnu.edu.

Posting Number:

AP366P

Number of Vacancies:

1

Posting Date:

10/09/2024

Review Begin Date:

11/06/2024

Application Instructions:

Interested parties are requested to submit a cover letter; current resume; and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references at the time of application.

This position will be posted until filled, however for priority consideration, please apply by November 6, 2024.

Search finalists are required to complete a CNU sponsored background check.

Christopher Newport University (CNU) will make a reasonable effort to accommodate persons with disabilities in the application and/or interview process. Persons with disabilities who require accommodation should contact the CNU Human Resources Office by calling (757) 594-7145.

Quick Link for Internal Postings:

https://jobs.cnu.edu/postings/18267

EEO/Diversity Statement(s):

Christopher Newport University, an EO Employer, is fully Committed to Access and Opportunity.

Notice of Non-Discrimination & Title IX Policy Statement

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