Director of Student Transitions and Family Programs

MARYVILLE COLLEGE STAFF POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Director of Student Transitions and Family Programs

Department: Student Transitions and Family Programs

Title of Immediate Supervisor: Vice President and Dean of Students

Funded Term / Work Cycle: 12-Month; Full-Time

Expected Daily Work Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Nights and Weekends for special events and crisis response

Expected Weekly Work Schedule: Monday – Friday

Pay Grade: 9S

Salary Expectations:  $57,000

About Maryville College:

Maryville College is a nationally ranked institution of higher learning and one of America’s oldest colleges. For more than 200 years, we’ve educated students to be giving citizens and gifted leaders to study everything so that they are prepared for anything. Our graduates are equipped to address complex problems, engage with diverse communities, and launch meaningful careers.

Nestled in Maryville, Tennessee, between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the city of Knoxville, our campus combines the beauty of a rural setting with the advantages of an urban center. With a wide range of academic programs and a strong tradition of career preparation, our alumni live “strong of mind and brave of heart,” carrying forward our Presbyterian founder’s charge to do good on the largest possible scale.

Mission

At Maryville College, we offer more than a mission—we offer support. Our employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage; a generous paid time off program; a retirement plan with an employer match of up to 5%; tuition benefits for employees, spouses, and dependents; and the opportunity to grow in a collaborative community that values professional excellence and personal well-being

“Maryville College prepares students for lives of citizenship and leadership as we challenge each one to search for truth, grow in wisdom, work for justice and dedicate a life of creativity and service to the peoples of the world.”

Values:

• Scholarship: We commit ourselves to lifelong curiosity and learning, to the search for knowledge, and to intellectual creativity.
• Respect: We commit ourselves to honor the worth, dignity, and freedom of ourselves and all creation, and to treat others as we wish to be treated.
• Integrity: We commit ourselves to truth, honesty, dependability, and responsibility in all our actions and relationships.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Director of Student Transitions and Family Programs is to design, lead, and sustain comprehensive transition experiences that support student success from admission through graduation and beyond. Through intentional programming, collaboration with campus partners, and meaningful engagement with families, this role ensures that new students are welcomed, supported, and connected to the people and resources they need to thrive at Maryville College.

SUMMARY

The Director of Student Transitions and Family Programs is responsible for coordinating programs and experiences that advance college success, including orientation programs, first- and second-year experience initiatives, transfer student support, and family engagement. The Director works collaboratively to organize, plan, implement, and evaluate campus-wide efforts to meet the needs of a diverse student body and is responsible for creating and sharing a vision for student transition experiences aligned with the College’s mission, values, and priorities.

Education and Experience required to ensure success in this position:

Education required to ensure success in this position:

• Master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration, Higher Education Administration, or closely related field.

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• 4 years’ experience working in a higher education context.
• 2 years’ experience in student transitions, student success, college admissions, or other similar roles.
• Experience collaborating with a wide range of campus stakeholders to plan and implement complex events.
• Experience developing, implementing, and facilitating student-facing developmental programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Devise and cultivate support for an overall vision for student transition experiences, including intended outcomes, points of emphasis, and program design.
• Lead and coordinate the planning and implementation of orientation programs, including summer programs (SOAR), New Scots Orientation, and Transfer Scots Orientation.
• Collaborate with cohort or bridge program leaders, athletic coaches, and others to integrate those programs into broader transition programs.
• Plan and oversee first-year, second-year, and transfer support programs as appropriate and assigned.
• Lead and coordinate family engagement efforts, including during admissions and transition events, through newsletters and communication, and at family events such as Family Weekend.

Data, Technology, and Reporting

• Coordinate the use of apps or other systems to communicate with orientation participants, track engagement, and facilitate experiences.
• Utilize the College’s student information system in the planning, preparation, and delivery of transition programs.
• In partnership with Marketing & Communications, utilize online platforms to engage with families.
• Collect data relevant to and report on intended outcomes and program performance indicators responsive to College goals, grant requirements, etc.

Stakeholder & Institutional Support

• Partner with the Advancement Division to design and coordinate a parent/family council and related fundraising initiatives.
• Promote the college’s values and reputation during admissions, transition, and family events.
• Create programs and experiences that meet the needs of a diverse student body.
• Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and affirming transition experience for students.
• Foster early and responsive communication with students and families about transition experiences.
• Serve on committees in support of campus initiatives.

Operations and Technical Oversight

• Oversee planning for transition programs, including facility reservations, relevant contracts and agreements, and risk management.

Fiscal Oversight

• Manage transition program budgets and expenses.
• Manage auxiliary event budgets, including Family Weekend.
• Oversee and manage restricted gift accounts and other funds associated with Family Programs.

Strategic Planning and Sustainability

• Contribute to the development of institutional and divisional strategic plans.
• Develop strategic and assessment plans for New Student Transition and Family Programs.
• Serve on the Retention Task Force and play a major role in the development and implementation of retention improvement initiatives.
• Promote the sustainability of the college by contributing to student retention and success.

Other:

NOTE: Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist the College in the attainment of the goals set forth and the enhancement of a positive, respectful learning environment for all staff, faculty, and students.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work well with others, including a diverse body of college students, families, faculty, campus partners, and community partners.
• Knowledge of current trends and best practices related to student transition programs, student success, and student development.
• Demonstrated ability for strategic thinking and problem solving.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with digital communication, including website management.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement program assessment and evaluation.

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• Valid Driver’s License

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regular use of computers, phones, and standard office equipment
• Frequent interaction with students, families, staff, faculty, and campus partners
• Occasional movement between campus buildings for meetings or program oversight
• Managing multiple priorities in a dynamic, student-focused setting
• Occasional evening and weekend hours during major events or peak programming cycles
• Significant on-site presence during orientation, Welcome Week, Move-In, and transition programming
• duties

PHYSICAL REQUIRMENTS

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods during planning and administrative work
• Ability to move about campus for events, meetings, and program support
• Ability to lift and move up to 20 pounds (event materials, supplies, equipment)
• Sufficient manual dexterity to operate office equipment and technology
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and electronically
• Extended periods of walking or standing during orientation, family programs, welcome events, and transition programming
• Ability to assist with limited event setup, signage, or materials distribution

Ability to operate the following vehicles or equipment:

• Computers and standard office equipment
• Campus communication platforms (email, Teams, CRMs, advising/retention systems)
• Student event-management and registration systems
• A/V equipment for large-group sessions, presentations, and orientation programming
• Technology used for virtual or hybrid parent/family engagement sessions

Salary : $57,000