Position SummaryThe Associate Dean, Director of First Year Student Success provides strategic leadership for first-year student success initiatives, first year academic and career coaching, and first-to-second year retention efforts. The position oversees staff, programs, and policies that shape the development and implementation of strategies that strengthen the first-year experience, build academic confidence and belonging, and identify and address barriers to student success. Through data-informed leadership and cross-functional partnership, particularly with Academic and Career Coaching and Employer Partnerships and Internships, the position advances a cohesive first-year strategy and strengthens pathways to continued academic progress and persistence.
Responsibilities- Leads the vision, strategy, and execution of comprehensive first-year student success initiatives, including advising, coaching, and transition programming
- Oversees first-year advising and coaching models, including 1:1 student support, integrated advising approaches, and required pre-registration appointments
- Leads the development and execution of strategies to improve first-year retention, persistence, and course enrollment outcomes, including first-year enrollment correction processes
- Collaborates with the Director, Associate Dean of Academic and Career Coaching to ensure alignment across the student lifecycle
- Supervises the hiring, training, development, and evaluation of staff within the first-year student success and related program areas
- Partners with the Dean, Academic Advising and CAPX to ensure alignment between first-year initiatives and institutional advising frameworks, academic policies, and student success systems
- Provides leadership for academic support and recovery initiatives, including oversight of academic standing processes, outreach, and targeted interventions for students in need of academic support
- Oversees and manages First Generation and Chicago Fellows programs, including program development, implementation, cohort tracking, restricted fund management, reporting, and cross-campus coordination to ensure program success
- Oversees program budgets and resource allocation to support first year student success initiatives as well as the FG and Chicago fellows programs
- Uses data analytics and assessment tools to evaluate program effectiveness, inform decision-making, and drive continuous improvement
- Provides leadership in responding to complex student situations, including academic difficulty and crisis-related concerns, and coordinate appropriate interventions and support services
- Interprets and applies academic policies and curriculum requirements in support of student progression and success initiatives
- Represents the department on committees and initiatives related to student success, retention, and academic policy; stays current on trends and best practices
- Participates in the dean on-call rotation
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in a related field. Master's degree preferred.
- Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in student success, advising, or student affairs within higher education
- Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff and managing programs or departments
- Experience working with first-year students and/or historically underserved student populations preferred
- Strong knowledge of student development theory, retention strategies, and best practices in first-year student success
- Demonstrated ability to lead strategic initiatives and manage complex programs in a higher education environment
- Experience with academic advising models, coaching frameworks, and student support interventions
- Strong leadership and supervisory skills, including staff development and performance management
- Ability to analyze and interpret data to drive decision-making and program improvement
- Knowledge of academic policies, curriculum requirements, and student information systems
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills across diverse stakeholders
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with experience supporting first-generation and underrepresented students
- Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment in addressing student concerns and academic challenges
Compensation & BenefitsPlease click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:
The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons.
- Benefits
- PTO Overview
- Job Classification: Exempt
- Employment Category: Full time staff
- Grade Level: 10
If you are accessing this listing from a third party, not all links to salary and benefits information may work. Please visit our career page at saic/artic.edu/employment for complete informationApplication InstructionsPlease submit your resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.
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