Director of Student Success

Through dynamic and innovative approaches, Student Life is a robust program that provides students with opportunities for meaningful engagement and transformation in the co-curricular context. The Director of Student Success will coordinate services for the student body to improve overall student success and increase student persistence and graduation rates. The Director for Student Success works under the supervision of the Vice President for Student Life.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The job is sedentary in nature. Must be able to sit for extended periods of time performing administrative duties
• Some minor lifting may be required (up to 2025 pounds)
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required
• Infrequent travel may be required

TRAVEL/TIME REQUIREMENTS:

• A 40hour workweek is normal, but abnormal hours and evening or weekend work are sometimes required

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s or Doctoral degree/ABD in Student Personnel, Counseling, Higher Education Administration, or related field
• Substantial experience in student development and administration
• Knowledge of higher education, student life, and student development theory experience working with young adult population
• Ability to work well with a diverse population of students
• Ability to work congruently within the mission of the university, division and department
• Excellent communication skills required (ability to clearly express ideas and concepts orally and in writing)
• Strong commitment to the values of diversity and human compassion
• Commitment to the academic achievement and personal development of college students, including the understanding of student success initiatives such as a firstyear seminar program
• Successful completion of an employment and/or criminal history background check required

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Student Support o Coordinate Academic Success Coaching: identifying MHU faculty/staff and coordinating training in coaching
• Works with students to identify and refine educational and career goals, providing ongoing advice to students through appropriate means such as face-to-face meetings, email, telephone, social networks, etc.
• Retention Initiatives o Work with the Student Success team to analyze and respond to data
• Meet with Campus Partners to review data oProvide support in collecting student data: BCRIT list, Registration list, Clearance
• Lead the development of affinity groups (e.g., commuters, first-gen)-specific programming
• Campus Collaboration
• Work daily with Deans/Faculty to support students in need

Maintain collaboration with campus partners, including: Admissions, Advising, Tutoring, Business Office, Financial Aid, Registrar, Career Services, Residence Life, Religious and Spiritual Life, and Student Life o Work closely with those involved in First Year Experience planning, paying particular attention to contributions with academic success

• Collaborate to administer the Spring Peer Mentoring Program for students on academic probation oCollaborates and coordinates with faculty advisors and student support personnel across campus (e.g. tutoring, enrollment management, financial aid, writing/math centers, etc.) to provide the support necessary for students’ academic success according to both academic and developmental needs
• Collaborates and coordinates with athletics, student life, and organizational leaders to promote activities to engage students with the campus community oWorks with IR in conjunction to develop and maintain a longitudinal database of student progress in order to evaluate the success of the program and continue to develop new programs and services to increase retention and graduation.
• Lion Life and Roar (orientation)
• Support planning and implementation with Steering Committee

Support Admissions in recruitment-related efforts (Visit Days, Lion Life, etc.)

• Management o In conjunction with members of the Student Care team, manage Lion Trax software internally and with Pharos 360, including the coordination of training for and use by faculty and staff
• Consistently manage budgets for Student Success including supplies and operations, programming, and software oManage Student Success team meetings, employee needs, and vision
• Provide supervision to accessibility services
• Other o Represent the Office of Student Success to the university and its constituents
• Represent the department and speak at various campus events as needed (Family Visit Day, Lion Life, etc.) oAdheres to guidelines in the University Personnel & Safety Handbooks and departmental policies
• Assists Vice President with strategic planning for Student Life, including the implementation of the University master plan and the development and implementation of the Student Life strategic plan and goals
• Serve on appropriate University committees o
• Completes special projects as needed or assigned

EEO / ADA Statement:

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), MHU provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the organization or change the essential functions of the job. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be directed to Human Resources (see below). MHU is committed to hiring faculty and staff who fully support MHU’s mission.

BACKGROUND SCREEN:

MHU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets. Therefore, Mars Hill University conducts background checks.

About Mars Hill University

Mars Hill University is a private, four-year liberal arts institution located in the mountains of western North Carolina. Founded in 1856 by Baptist families of the region, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in western North Carolina on its original site. Mars Hill University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity), age, disability, religion, veteran’s status, or any other protected basis under applicable law in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, or the operation of any of its programs and activities.