Senior Director of Student Thriving & Success

PRIMARY PURPOSE/SCOPE

The Senior Director of Student Thriving & Success provides leadership and guidance in creating, establishing, and coordinating retention and student success initiatives at Bluefield University. The person in this role is responsible for connecting and collaborating with deans, athletics, and other departments to support educational efforts and retention. The Senior Director will work collaboratively across campus to develop a strategic plan and goals to increase retention and graduation rates. Ultimately, the Senior Director is responsible for envisioning, leading, and implementing innovative strategies to eliminate equity gaps and promote access, retention, academic achievement, and timely graduation of undergraduate students. This person will facilitate the early alert system (BC Thrive) to develop a plan for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating retention data to all stakeholders. The Senior Director will demonstrate a commitment to cultural diversity and work with individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needs arise.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS  

The essential duties, responsibilities, and functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Manage the institution’s Retention Module, including
   • Utilize the current trends and best practices in student retention to ensure students persist and graduate.
   • Develop retention strategies that include mentoring programs and other services to address barriers to student retention.
   • Facilitate the Early Alert Process, which identifies at-risk students early and coordinates care and support when it is most likely to make a difference.
   • Analyze and synthesize quantitative and qualitative data to implement innovative practices and strategies around retention and student success.
   • Develop and coordinate strategies and interventions to help at-risk students thrive and succeed.
   • Provide training and support to faculty and staff personnel on the Early Alert System.
2. Coordinate and lead the Student Success Committee by
   • Collaborate with various offices/departments across campus to identify retention challenges, compile and analyze relevant data, and execute strategies that remove student persistence and success barriers.
   • Work with the Registrar and Institutional Effectiveness Offices to provide reports and available data to make retention recommendations to University leadership.
3. Collaborate with the Offices of Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management & Student Development to coordinate and execute First-Year and Second-Year Experience strategies, such as:
   • Develop mentoring programs
   • Coordinate study halls
   • Facilitate team-building sessions and community service opportunities
   • Create events to build a sense of community on campus
4. Participate in conferences, seminars, and training sessions to keep abreast of developments in the field of study and integrate relevant information into training programs.
5. Maintain robust assessment processes on the effectiveness of retention services as prescribed in the University’s Institutional Effectiveness Annual Review policies.
6. Model caring relationships with students through personal interaction and as an effective role model of Christianity.
7. Comply with all rules, policies, and procedures as established by Bluefield University.
8. Serve on committees and complete assignments and other duties as assigned by the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS

This position may directly supervise one or more work-study students. This position carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the University’s policies and applicable laws. Supervisory duties, responsibilities, and functions include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints; and resolving problems.

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

A vibrant and authentic Christian faith and worldview consistent with the University’s mission and values is required. The candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree, yet, a master’s degree is preferred. S/he should have the ability to oversee and direct student retention and persistence initiatives. Strong knowledge of data collection and analysis is preferred. Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills are necessary, along with communicating and collaborating with a range of campus stakeholders, from front-end employees to senior leadership.

ERGONOMIC REQUIREMENTS

•  Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  This position is not necessarily a physically demanding job and requires no specific physical demands other than those typical in a modern office environment. Everyday responsibilities should not afford risks of accidental injury.

• Specialized Equipment Requirements

The use of specialized equipment listed here represents equipment an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  This position requires no specialized equipment other than equipment typically used in a modern office environment, including personal computers, calculators, copiers, and fax machines.

• Working Conditions and Environment

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the duties, responsibilities, and functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties, responsibilities, and functions.  This position has no specific working conditions; the work environment is typical of a small private residential institution of higher education, with physical remote site locations within 500 miles of the main campus in Bluefield, Virginia.

 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 

 This position is subject to at least an annual evaluation based upon the job duties, responsibilities, and functions as set forth above.

APPROVALS 

The job duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements delineated above should not be interpreted as an all-inclusive list of the same.  Additional duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate.  The University reserves the right to change or reassign job duties, responsibilities, and functions or combine positions at any time.  In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals.  However, no accommodations will be made that may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or impose undue hardships on the University.  Position descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts.  The University maintains its status as an at-will employer.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

To apply for this position, please visit https://www.bluefield.edu/employment/ to complete the electronic staff employment application and upload the following:

• Letter of interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Names and full contact information for at least three professional references
• Statement of Christian Faith

Hard copy application materials may be sent to Judy Pedneau, Director of Human Resources at Bluefield University, 3000 College Avenue, Bluefield, VA 24605, [email protected]

Additional information about Bluefield University is available at www.bluefield.edu.

To be considered for this position, all application requirements listed above must be completed.

Bluefield University is a Christ-centered, multicultural learning community that values and seeks faculty and staff who represent diverse backgrounds and perspectives, are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation.

Bluefield University is a private, not-for-profit institution affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Bluefield University shall not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, religion, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other basis on which the University is prohibited from discrimination under local, state, or federal law, in its employment or in the provision of its services, including but not limited to its programs and activities, admissions, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs. This institution encourages women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply.