Executive Director - Student Services

Job Goal

To advance the college’s mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.

General Job Summary

Student learning permeates every aspect of the college experience and occurs both in and outside the classroom. The division of student services provides access to quality programs and services to support students in their efforts to achieve their goals. The Executive Director, Student Services provides leadership of student recruitment, involvement and engagement efforts and facilitates collaboration among the division leadership team to connect strategy to programs and services. The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring these programs contribute to student learning through quality evaluation, assessment, and improvement. This position advocates for prospective and current students and oversees programs that facilitate student success and well-being, including student recruitment, new student onboarding, student life and activities, federal and state grant programs, and direct student support.

Universal Core Competencies

• Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
• Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.
• Champion Service- anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.
• Perseverance- commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.
• Lead- regardless of title, through positive influence.
  
  

Duties/Responsibilities

• Directly oversees the following departments: Counseling Services, Student Life and Recreation, Student Engagement and Support, and Admissions. These departments include five federal Trio programs, two Student Food Pantries, Career Services, Iowa Hall Student Center, College and Career Transition Counselors, new student recruitment and orientation, and the Michael J. Gould Recreation Center.
• Ensures that programs and services are welcoming, accessible and effective through ongoing leadership, planning, assessment, evaluation and resource allocation.
• Advocates for student needs, and shapes college policy and procedure to support student success from prospect to graduation.
• Builds and maintains positive college and community relationships including faculty and staff, K12 partners, community non-profits, transfer partners, etc.
• Contributes to the strategic leadership of the division of student services and partners with other divisions of the college to develop strategies focused on student recruitment, engagement and success.
• Coaches, supports and empowers a team of leaders and cultivates a culture of innovation and teamwork.
• Perform other related work duties as assigned.
  
  

Performance Expectations

• You provide outstanding customer service and serve as a positive representative of the student services division with the goal of improving student learning and success.
• You have strong oral and written communication skills.
• You possess a strong working knowledge of student engagement, faculty affairs, grants administration, and student development.
• You are able to work efficiently, effectively, and independently in an environment with regular interruption.
• You collaborate and maintain positive relationships with students, colleagues, and the community to fulfill the College’s mission.
• You evaluate and resolve issues of compliance and risk in the departments you oversee.
• You provide leadership for the development of student success strategies for all students, and identify and address gaps in persistence and completion.
• You welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.
  
  

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Activities With/Without Reasonable Accommodation

Position involves working in an office setting. Occasional (10-33%) standing, pushing, pulling and grasping. Frequent (34-66%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work. Constant (67-100%) sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking and hearing.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in student affairs, higher education, college student development, counseling or related field.
• Five years of experience working in a higher education setting.
• Minimum of two years of supervisory experience.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications, Licenses, Certifications, Or Registrations

• Professional experience in one or more of the supervisory areas.
• Experience in the community college setting.
• Experience supervising faculty.
• Experience supervising full-time employees.
  
  

Eeo/Aa Statement

It is the policy of Kirkwood Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact the Vice President, Human Resources and Institutional Effectiveness, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, 319-398-5572, , or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-7204, Telephone: (312) 730-1560 Facsimile: (312) 730-1576, TDD 800-877-8339 Email: .

Why Kirkwood

Kirkwood Community College prides itself on fostering a diverse workforce and values unique perspectives throughout its campus community. The college is a convenient, innovative, visionary educational leader striving to remain affordable and accessible. With more than 140 majors and programs, Kirkwood boasts 16,000 annual college-credit students while maintaining one of the lowest tuitions in the state. All degree-seeking students are eligible for federal financial aid and the college offers more than $3 million in scholarships each year to students from all walks of life.

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Kirkwood offers a wide range of employee benefits. Read more about them

01

Do you have a master’s degree in student affairs, higher education, college student development, counseling or related field?

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

Do you have at least five years of experience working in higher education?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

Do you have a minimum of two years of supervisory experience?

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

Please describe your leadership philosophy.

Required Question