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Dominican University

Director of Academic Success

Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois, United States, 60330


POSITION TITLE:

Director of Academic SuccessDEPARTMENT:

Student Success & EngagementREPORTS TO:

Assistant Vice President of Student Success & EngagementPOSITION SUMMARY:The Director of Academic Success (DAS) provides strategic direction, process innovation, and visionary leadership for initiatives aimed at enhancing and perpetuating students' academic growth and ensuring equitable access to disability support services. These initiatives are centralized within an interdisciplinary hub for learning and support, which the DAS oversees. Moreover, the DAS fosters dialogues on pioneering and cooperative learning support methodologies, with a specific focus on academic success programs that aim to bolster students' academic self-perception and implement comprehensive academic interventions.The DAS directs the evaluation and ongoing enhancement of resources dedicated to developing disability and academic success skills, while also managing the recruitment, scheduling, and training of both professional and student academic support personnel. Demonstrating a keen awareness of the diverse student population's needs, the DAS is dedicated to nurturing students' personal, cultural, educational, and intellectual growth in alignment with the values of a Catholic liberal arts institution.As an integral part of the Leadership Team within the Division of Student Success and Engagement, the DAS collaborates with peers to identify and eliminate institutional barriers to student success and engagement, advocating for a supportive environment that ensures the achievement of all students.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESStrategic Leadership – 50%Supervision and Guidance:

Provide strategic oversight and guidance for a diverse team comprising the Accommodations and Disability Access Coordinator, Accommodations and Disability Access Counselor, Academic Success Coordinator, Coordinator of Academic Success for STEM, Peer-Facilitated Team Learning Coordinator, Director of Student Success for peer/professional tutors, Writing Fellows, and academic coaches.Accommodations and Disability Access Office Oversight:

Lead the ADA team in driving continuous assessment, advocacy, and enhancement of disability support services.Academic Support Strategy and Oversight:

Direct and oversee the implementation of cutting-edge academic support initiatives, leveraging data analytics to optimize resources and interventions for high struggle rate courses throughout the institution. Collaborate closely with key campus stakeholders, including Athletics and the Graduate Academic Success Coordinator, to design and execute tailored support programs for various student cohorts.Academic Success Center Management:

Lead the strategic management of the Academic Success Center, encompassing budget oversight, talent acquisition, scheduling optimization, and professional development for tutors.Programming Development Management - 25%Peer-Facilitated Learning Program Development/Alignment:

Collaborate with faculty and staff to advocate for and align existing Peer-Facilitated Learning (PFL) models at DU. Explore and implement new models and best practices to enhance learning support.Writing Fellows Program Oversight:

Collaborate and partner with faculty member overseeing and coordinating the Fall Writing Fellows Internship Program. Assist faculty member in leading recruitment, hiring, training, and mentoring of Writing Fellows in a semester-long pedagogy practicum course.Star Summer Science Institute Oversight:

Support and sustain the planning, promotion, and execution of the Star Summer Science Institute, a summer bridge program for incoming STEM students. Collaborate and coordinate with the PFL Coordinator, STEM faculty, STEM Coordinator, and other campus partners, including Housing, Dining, and Financial Aid.Peer-led Team Learning Program Leadership:

Build relationships with faculty and administrator Principal Investigators (PIs) to oversee the DU STEM Success Project, a retention initiative funded by NSF and Title III. This project aims to enhance the success of students in STEM gateway courses through case management access to academic and non-academic supports, implementation of Peer-led Team Learning, and promotion of inclusive pedagogy.Student Support, Advocacy, and Well-Being – 15%Academic Notice Oversight:

Ensure student advocacy in meetings with deans to determine academic status. Coordinate outreach and advising to students on academic notice. Identify instructors for and/or teach ID 102. Provide ongoing individual and group support for students.SAP Appeal and Merit Aid Appeal Process:

Collaborate closely with Financial Aid to follow up with students required to submit Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals. Train staff on policy and procedure for required academic success plans. Monitor student progress throughout the semester.Case Management:

Facilitate holistic care for students by serving on the cross-departmental Student Care Team. Connect students with a comprehensive range of academic and non-academic supports to enhance their well-being and academic success.Additional Responsibilities as Required – 10%Policy Development:

Contribute to the development and refinement of student advocacy and care policies and procedures to ensure alignment with best practices and compliance with relevant regulations.Data Analysis and Reporting:

Analyze student data related to academic performance, financial aid appeals, and student care interventions to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement. Generate reports and present findings to key stakeholders.Collaboration and Partnerships:

Foster collaborations with academic departments, student services offices, counseling services, and external organizations to enhance the support network available to students. Participate in committees and working groups focused on student success and well-being.Crisis Response and Intervention:

Develop and implement protocols for responding to student crises, such as mental health emergencies, academic distress, or financial hardships. Coordinate appropriate interventions and referrals to support student well-being.Professional Development:

Provide training and professional development opportunities for staff members involved in student advocacy and care. Stay current on trends and best practices in student support services through attending conferences, workshops, and networking with peers in the field.Student Outreach and Engagement:

Develop outreach programs and initiatives to proactively engage students at risk and provide them with the resources and support they need to succeed. Organize workshops, seminars, and events focused on student well-being and academic success.Resource Allocation and Budget Management:

Participate in the allocation of resources to support student advocacy and care initiatives. Monitor budgetary expenditures and ensure efficient use of resources to maximize impact on student outcomes.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Extensive experience in academic support services, student success initiatives, or related areas within an educational institution.Demonstrated leadership experience in a higher education setting, ideally in a supervisory or managerial role.Strong understanding of academic support practices, student retention strategies, and student development theory.Experience in data analysis and assessment to measure the effectiveness of academic support programs.Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.Proven ability to develop and implement innovative programs to enhance student academic success.Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.Knowledge of best practices in student support services and a commitment to promoting equity and inclusion in academic success initiatives.Education and Experience:Advanced degree in Education, Counseling, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.Five years of progressive managerial experience in higher education administration.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:Strategic thinking and the ability to set goals, develop plans, and evaluate outcomes to drive continuous improvement in academic success programs.A background screening is required.Physical Demands:Ability to spend long durations of the workday sitting at a desk and working on a computer.Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.Salary and FLSA Status:Salary: $62,000 - $68,000 annually.FLSA Status: Exempt 37.5 hours.Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.Retirement plan with employer matching contributions.Tuition remission for employees and their dependents.Flexible spending accounts (FSA).Generous paid time off (PTO).Employment at Dominican University is contingent upon the successful completion of a background investigation.About Dominican University:Dominican University is a Catholic, comprehensive teaching university located in River Forest, a suburb of Chicago, with an additional campus in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Dominican University offers associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It is highly regarded for its academic rigor, thoughtful accompaniment of students, intentional affordability, and values-based, relationship-centered learning environment.Dominican currently enrolls over 3,300 students, including 2,280 undergraduates and 1,027 graduate students. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of undergraduate students identify as Latinx, 5% as Black or African American, and 3% as Asian. Under-represented minority students comprise 77% of the undergraduate enrollment and 38% of the graduate enrollment. Over 90 percent of undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. Nearly half of all undergraduates are first-generation college students; over half are federal Pell Grant recipients, illustrating their families’ level of income; and 58% are eligible for low-income MAP grants from the State of Illinois.Recognized since 2011 as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education, Dominican is committed to expanding and enhancing educational opportunities for Latinx students and all students from historically underrepresented groups. For more information, visit www.dom.edu.Expectations for all Dominican Employees:To support the University's mission of preparing students to pursue truth, give compassionate service, and participate in the creation of a more just and humane world, engage in university service work that promotes collaboration and community building. This includes participating in organizational initiatives, supporting campus events, contributing to community outreach, and fostering a diverse and inclusive environment through involvement in various staff-driven activities and groups.Institutional Statement:Dominican University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:Dominican University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans.

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