What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Director of Student Academic Support position at Dominican University?
Position Title: Senior Director of Student Academic Support
Department: Division of Student Success & Engagement
Reports To: Vice President, Student Success and Engagement
Location: On Campus (River Forest, IL)
Position Summary:
Under the supervision of the Vice President of Student Success and Engagement (SSE), the Senior Director (SD) will serve as the strategic and operational champion to enhance student academic support by developing and implementing student academic success and advisement strategies to advance learning, engagement, retention, and completion. The SD will work closely with academic deans and faculty to offer co-curricular engagement opportunities that support student development, academic achievement, and the University’s vision, mission, and values in the pursuit of excellence. The SD serves as one of SSE’s representatives on university committees and is responsible for aligning the work with the University and Division strategic plan.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Transformational Leadership and Staff Development
- Oversee three major units within the Division of SSE: Academic Advising, TRIO Student Support Services, and the Academic Success Center, including accommodations & disability access, testing, and tutoring, and graduate student support.
- Develop, implement, promote, and maintain programs related to academic support to increase student retention.
- Oversight of the budget for all units under supervision.
- Supervise and evaluate performance of staff: Director of Advising, Director of Academic Success, and the Director of TRIO.
- Demonstrate professionalism and customer service in accordance with the University’s values.
- Maintain confidentiality, positive communication, accurate records, and an organized, safe working environment.
- Exhibit flexibility, willingness to learn, ability to adapt to change, and maintain current technology skills.
Early Intervention and Personalized Learning Pathways
- Implement proactive outreach strategies to identify and engage students at risk of stopping out, ensuring timely intervention before students disengage completely.
- In collaboration with the SSE Data Analyst, analyze data on Stop Outs to identify patterns and root causes, allowing for the development of targeted programs and resources that address specific barriers faced by students.
- Work closely with faculty and academic departments to understand course-related challenges contributing to Stop Outs, facilitating a coordinated response to student needs.
- Develop personalized re-engagement plans for students who have stopped out, offering tailored resources and support to help them reintegrate into their academic programs successfully.
- Launch awareness campaigns that inform undergraduate and graduate students about available support services and encourage them to seek help before considering stopping out.
- Oversee the coordination of tutoring, academic advising, and other student services specifically designed to assist students struggling with courses with high DFW rates.
- Work closely with the Student Care Network for early warning systems that alert faculty and support staff to students who exhibit signs of potential academic failure, allowing for timely intervention and support.
- Collaborate with faculty to provide feedback on course structures and teaching methods that may be contributing to high DFW rates, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Organize workshops that focus on essential academic skills, such as time management, study strategies, and test-taking techniques, to equip students with the tools to succeed.
- Oversight of peer mentorship programs that connect students with academic coaches or successful upperclassmen who can provide guidance and support for challenging courses.
- Responsible for tracking and reporting on DFW rates and Stop Outs, ensuring that the institution remains accountable for improving student outcomes in collaboration with the SSE Data Analyst.
- Identify trends in DFW rates and Stop Outs to advocate for necessary resources and support services that align with student needs and institutional priorities.
- Oversee enrollment confirmation process at the beginning of each semester, coordinating outreach to students reported by faculty as not engaging in classes.
- Serve as the SSE liaison for the First Year Seminar (FYS), collaborating with the core director on content development, managing module creation in Canvas for faculty, coordinating SSE staff presentations, and identifying curriculum improvements based on student needs.
- Oversight for the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeal process working with the Director of Academic Success, coordinating with the Financial Aid office, guiding students in developing academic plans with SSE staff and faculty advisors, facilitating student communication, and tracking progress to ensure compliance.
Data-Driven Assessment
- Maintain, analyze, and interpret data to identify opportunities for improvement and develop strategies to advance academic achievement and student success.
- Use data to assess the effectiveness of academic and support services.
- Develop department and personnel goals that align with the University and Division’s strategic goals.
Strategic Community Engagement and Partnerships
- Collaborate with education, public service, health, business, and industry partners to enhance opportunities related to student success.
- Work with local agencies and non-profits for students by addressing social and structural determinants of health.
- Develop and coordinate campus events to promote student engagement and success.
Required Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in Education, Counseling, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
- Five years of progressive managerial experience in higher education administration.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in a higher education setting, ideally in a supervisory or managerial role.
- Experience in data analysis and assessment to measure the effectiveness of support programs.
- Proven ability to develop and implement innovative programs to enhance student success.
- 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.
Physical Demands:
- Ability to spend long durations of the workday sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Ability to lift up to 15 pounds at times
Salary and FLSA Status
- Salary: $76,953 - $80,500
- FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-time, 37.5 hours
Benefits
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plan with employer matching contributions
- Professional development opportunities
- 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 3,800 students, including 2,690 undergraduates and 1,114 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 supportive environment through involvement in various staff-driven activities and groups.
Institutional Statement
Dominican University is committed to fostering a supportive academic community that provides access and opportunity for all our students.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Dominican University is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all federal and state employment regulations. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need accommodations due to a disability, you may contact us at opc@dom.edu for assistance.
Salary : $76,953 - $80,500
