What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Advising and Student Success position at University of Mount Saint Vincent?
Founded by the Sisters of Charity of New York, the University of Mount Saint Vincent is an academically excellent, authentically inclusive, Catholic and ecumenical liberal arts university. The University combines a strong core curriculum with a full array of majors in the liberal arts and, within the tradition of liberal education, selected professional fields of study.
At Mount Saint Vincent, a student’s education extends beyond knowledge, skills, and preparation for work. We seek the development of the whole person. In the spirit of Vincent de Paul and Elizabeth Ann Seton, we foster an understanding of our common humanity, a commitment to human dignity, and a full appreciation of our obligations to each other.
Job Description
The Director of Advising and Student Success provides strategic leadership for the University’s advising and student success efforts. The role ensures all student populations—undergraduate, graduate, online, domestic, transfer, and international—receive proactive, high-quality academic and holistic support that promotes persistence, timely graduation, and long-term success. The Director oversees the Advisement Office, leads professional advisors, manages advising systems and technology, and advances data-informed strategies to improve student retention, satisfaction, and completion rates.
Responsibilities
Leadership & Supervision
Allotted annual salary $85,000 - $91,000
At Mount Saint Vincent, a student’s education extends beyond knowledge, skills, and preparation for work. We seek the development of the whole person. In the spirit of Vincent de Paul and Elizabeth Ann Seton, we foster an understanding of our common humanity, a commitment to human dignity, and a full appreciation of our obligations to each other.
Job Description
The Director of Advising and Student Success provides strategic leadership for the University’s advising and student success efforts. The role ensures all student populations—undergraduate, graduate, online, domestic, transfer, and international—receive proactive, high-quality academic and holistic support that promotes persistence, timely graduation, and long-term success. The Director oversees the Advisement Office, leads professional advisors, manages advising systems and technology, and advances data-informed strategies to improve student retention, satisfaction, and completion rates.
Responsibilities
Leadership & Supervision
- Lead the operations and strategic direction of the UMSV Advisement Office.
- Provide ongoing training, supervisory support, performance evaluation, and professional development for advising staff.
- Implement and maintain a comprehensive advising model that promotes equity, early academic planning, and sustained student engagement across all programs and modalities.
- Foster a culture of student-centered service, continuous improvement, and accountability.
- Design and implement innovation-driven retention strategies and support programs.
- Maintain a student caseload for academic and psychosocial advising, including course planning, registration, financial aid navigation, and resource referrals.
- Create and update academic profiles, progress reports, and service referrals to ensure timely intervention.
- Lead re-enrollment and re-engagement efforts for eligible withdrawn students.
- Work collaboratively with Academic Affairs to support undecided students and promote major exploration.
- Identify high-risk student populations and coordinate proactive outreach plans to improve persistence.
- Design and execute new student registration, ensuring proactive advising, timely course enrollment, and successful onboarding.
- Develop and implement non-registration intervention campaigns for continuing students, using data insights and targeted outreach to reduce melt and drive semester-to-semester persistence.
- Collaborate closely with the Dean of the Undergraduate College/Vice Provost, Dean of Students, Registrar, Senior Director for Admission, Director of Financial Aid, and other institutional stakeholders.
- Work in partnership with School Deans and Assistant Deans to ensure effective advising coordination and escalation pathways.
- Ensure strategic alignment between Academic Standing plans and SAP guidelines.
- Partner with the Dean of the Undergraduate College/Vice Provost on academic plans, withdrawals, and escalated student matters.
- Ensure grant-funded advising positions remain compliant and well-integrated into departmental operations.
- Coordinate cross-departmental responses to student concerns to ensure seamless handoffs and holistic support.
- Design and deploy an annual communication calendar that outlines advising messages by student population, channel, and timing.
- Participate actively in institutional committees, task forces, and retention-focused initiatives.
- Analyze data related to retention, attrition, persistence, academic performance, and student needs; communicate findings to institutional stakeholders.
- Serve on the leadership team for EAB Navigate and act as the primary point person for system training, reporting, and updates.
- Track and report on advisor utilization, student appointments, event participation, communication campaigns, and outreach impact.
- Prepare and present weekly departmental reports to senior leadership (registration trends, credit hour analysis, retention performance, advising indicators, etc.).
- Use data insights to inform decision-making, strengthen advising efficiencies, and improve student outcomes.
- Stay current with best practices, policies, and emerging trends in academic advising, student success, and higher education retention models.
- Ensure compliance with FERPA and maintain proper documentation and data security protocols.
- Maintain and regularly update all advising-related forms, materials, and databases.
- Serve as an advocate for student success across the campus community.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor's degree; Master’s degree preferred, preferably in Higher Education, Counseling, Student Affairs, or related field.
- Strong understanding of academic advising best practices, student development theory, and FERPA regulations.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to learn and apply new technologies quickly.
- Three to five years of relevant full-time experience, including one to two years of supervisory experience in academic advising or student success roles.
- Demonstrated leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong interpersonal and written/oral communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
- Works well both independently and collaboratively.
- Must be available for occasional evening and weekend activities.
- Experience working with professional, online, graduate, transfer, international, and non-traditional student populations.
- Familiarity with Degree Works, EAB Navigate, Banner, and Argos reporting tools.
Allotted annual salary $85,000 - $91,000
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for medical and dependent care
- 100% employer sponsored life insurance, AD&D insurance and Long term disability
- Retirement plan with employer matching
- Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Professional development opportunities via Coursera
- Undergraduate tuition benefits for employees and their dependents
- Commuter benefits
- Employee Assistance Plan
Salary : $85,000 - $91,000