Director of First Year Experience

Position Summary

JOB DESCRIPTION: The Director of First Year Experience is a full-time, twelve-month administrator position charged with leading multiple campus stakeholders to develop, coordinate, implement, and assess curricular and co-curricular experiences/programming for first-year students. This position will need to effectively collaborate with others to continuously improve First Year student success and increase First Year student retention. The director position includes teaching at least one section of First Year Seminar each semester.
OUTCOME:

Partner with many campus stakeholders including faculty, professional staff, and students to help first-year students thrive as they join the YCP community. This includes programming that enhances first-year student engagement and success.

Create tools to assess first-year student engagement and success outcomes in the First-Year Experience.

Monitor and continuously improve First Year programming in response to internal and external measures (e.g., retention, first-year student GPA, self-report measures on standardized surveys and other success metrics).

Essential Functions

Strategic and Collaborative Leadership of FYE Program (40%)

Provide strategic leadership and vision for an interdepartmental team (including Student Success, Enrollment Management, Campus Life and Student Development, Institutional Effectiveness, and Alumni Relations, as well as key faculty members inside and outside of the General Education curriculum) designed to realize a comprehensive, engaging, and holistic First-Year experience program that increases student success, student retention, and student satisfaction.

Collaborates with stakeholders to integrate programming in a variety of areas including academic programs, co-curricular opportunities, residence life, campus activities, etc.

Contributes significantly and collaboratively to planning and executing key institutional functions including Accepted Students Days, New Spartan Days, and Orientation and represents the FYE program at these events.

Surveys and assesses the outcomes of the FYE program annually and produces an annual report for stakeholders.

Facilitation of Co-Curricular FYE Learning Curriculum (30%)

Revises and updates a program for teaching first-year students how to be successful in college.

Facilitates initiatives and co-curricular programming that support first-year students’ achievement and development.

Oversight of Peer Fellow Program (15%)

Coordinate a staff of student Peer Fellows (mentors) who assist faculty, guide and support students, and advocate for successful college academic and social strategies. Recruits, trains, places, mentors and supervises Fellows as they progress through the ranks of the position.

Partners with the Director and Associate Director of General Education for First-Year Seminar as well as faculty that teach our first-year students to integrate fellows into First Year courses in a maximally supportive way.

Teaching (15%)

Teaching a First Year Seminar (FYS) course designed to enhance the First Year college experience for our new students. Participates in and supports FYS faculty development throughout the academic year.

Experience and Education Required

Master’s degree required

Working knowledge of student development theory and/or student transition experiences

At least three (3) years’ experience with higher education administration, program development, and staff supervision

Required Skills and Qualifications

Ability to interact collaboratively and positively with colleagues throughout the College

Knowledge of higher education pedagogical techniques

Excellent interpersonal skills in communicating with students, families, and the wider campus community

Superior planning and organizational skills

Excellent leadership skills

Effective supervision skills with student and professional staff

Creative problem solver who is willing to try new strategies and interventions