Assistant Director Student Support Services

OFFICIAL JOB TITLE: Assistant Director of Student Support Services

DIVISION: Academic Affairs

DEPARTMENT: Honors College

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: ESU, Cat. 15

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

REPORTS TO: Dean, Honors College

SUPERVISES: Undergrad Academic Advisor/Apex Specialist

SUMMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Assistant Director of Student Support Services acts as the head of advising for the Honors College and is responsible for leading the Honors College student support operations and programs and supervising professional support staff. The incumbent provides high-quality, effective, and efficient advising and support to ensure the academic success and retention of Honors College students. The Assistant Director of Student Support Services is responsible for managing the block enrollment processes for new Honors College students. The incumbent oversees the development of data systems to track student enrollment, enhance the student experience, and implement efficient advising practices for large advising populations.

This position is responsible for designing, implementing, and assessing the services provided to Honors College students. The Assistant Director of Student Support Services will serve as the primary point of contact for programming related to advising, including leading academic activities for new, continuing, and transfer Honors College students. The position requires regular communication and collaboration with diverse units, offices, and administrators, including CITS, Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, Colleges' leadership, department chairs, and the Office of the Provost, among others.

EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages the placement testing process for all incoming Honors College students.
• Develops and oversees the Honors College's website to ensure academic advising resources and program information are up-to-date.
• Manages and oversees data collection and reporting in collaboration with IR, Alumni Affairs, Admissions, the Dean, and others for the Honors College to ensure efficient reporting.
• Assists with the management of the Honors College Convocation.
• Outreaches to colleges within the Commonwealth Honors Program to aid in transfers to UMass Dartmouth.
• Consults with managers in the Registrar's Office, Admissions Office, CITS, Department Chairs, and Deans' Offices, among others, to facilitate the registration of Honors College students.
• Coordinates with the Registrar's Office to ensure the accuracy of reports relating to the progress of all Honors College students.
• Collaborates with CITS and University Marketing on technical issues, compliance with University policies and procedures and comparability with University systems.
• Oversees the data management of new, continuing and transfer Honors College students.
• Manages electronic monitoring system for the tracking of students visiting the Honors College to determine patterns in order to assess student needs.
• Collaborates with CITS and UITS on issues relating to PeopleSoft and student access and improvements.
• Manages Honors students database for timely reports of the HNRS student group.
• Manages information and departmental requests for posting to electronic media.
• Manages, designs, and implements the block enrollment process for the Honors College.
• Oversees and manages the creation, updating, and maintenance of all Honors College electronic forms (there are many).
• Conducts the first culling of applicants in candidate reviews each fall for Admissions. Develops and formats the data for use by the Dean to make admissions decisions, and collaborates with the Admissions Office to maintain program caps, and to develop and draft communications to invitees.
• Serves as liaison to Admissions for the Honors college.
• Conducts degree audits of all graduating seniors.
• Supervises all Student Support specialists in the Honors College.
• Designs and conducts new student orientations.
• Gives talks to Honors College candidates at Open House and Accepted Students Day.
• Performs other duties as assigned to advance the mission and goals of the Honors College.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• EDUCATION:
  • Master's degree.
• EXPERIENCE:
  • Demonstrated experience (over 3 years) advising undergraduate students.
  • Previous experience with university retention systems.
  • Experience with data management and assessment of systems.
  • Previous teaching experience at the collegiate level; especially first year student success courses.
• OTHER:
  • Must be available evening/weekend hours during periods of peak activity as needed.
  • Some travel required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• EDUCATION: Master's degree in higher education counseling or related field.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of undergraduate academic programs
• Knowledge of the University academic policies and procedures as well as eligibility requirements
• Ability to utilize PeopleSoft systems
• Ability to develop programs and applications utilizing complex sets of academic information.
• Experience relating to students and University personnel
• Experience interpreting and developing data network systems
• Strong communication skills

NOTE: Other job related duties and responsibilities may be assigned and/or the job description changed periodically to reflect changing organizational needs.

SALARY: $78,898 - $95,500

UMass Dartmouth offers exciting benefits such as:

• 75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• State Pension Retirement Plan
• Optional Retirement Savings Plans
• Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
• Twelve (12) paid holidays
• Paid personal, vacation, and sick time
• And More!

Benefits for ESU Union: ESU

Applicants must be authorized for permanent employment in the United States. Employment-based visa sponsorship is not available.

To apply, please submit a letter of interest, a current resume, and the contact information for three professional references.

The deadline for early consideration of internal ESU applicants is September 21, 2026.

The review of applications will be ongoing until the position is filled.