Director Of The Center For Academic Success

Wells College is a nationally recognized, private four-year Liberal Arts college located in the Finger Lakes region of New York on the unceded lands of the Cayuga Nation. The mission of Wells College is to educate students to think critically, reason wisely, and act humanely as they cultivate meaningful lives. Wells College is the leader in providing immersive academic experiences tailored by each student. Our historic campus in a lakeside setting that is ideally conducive to deep learning is home to over 150 years of evolving, inclusive traditions that bind Wellsians across generations. Recognizing the role of higher education in supporting students from all backgrounds to lead in the future, Wells College actively seeks to diversify its faculty and staff. We strive to embody a culture of belonging that empowers all of our students -- 35% of whom identify as students of color and 32% who are first-generation -- to thrive.

Wells College seeks qualified applicants for the position of Director ofthe Center for Academic Success.  The Director of the Center is a key leadership role responsible for establishing the vision, structuring and supervising the staff, and facilitating the implementation and operation of a newly centralized student success department at Wells College.  This new director will bring critical focus and connection to areas of student skill evaluation, program development, and services necessary to improve student writing and reading, quantitative literacy, and digital literacy.  In addition, Wells seeks a dynamic individual who will cultivate and expand pathways for supporting student well-being both in and out of the classroom as a foundation for student learning and success. Finally, the successful director should expect to serve a critical role as champion for the student learning experience at Wells through essential collaborations with academic and student life program leaders, faculty, and staff.  

Reporting to the Dean of Students, this passionate and creative leader will ultimately be in a unique position to expand a comprehensive and meaningful learning environment for students, establish an essential resource and support for faculty and staff, and create an integrated experience connecting theory with practice in support of all facets of student needs and growth in order to promote persistence, resilience, retention, and graduation.

JOB FUNCTIONS/TASKS:

1. Leadership and Strategic Planning (25%)

• Establish a clear vision for a new Wells College Student Success Center.
• Develop and implement a strategic plan for the Center aligned with Wells College mission and the focus of the Division of Academic and Student Affairs.  
• Provide supervision including training, direction, and mentoring to the Center's staff 
• Ensure an inclusive and supportive team and Center environment.

2. Academic Success (25%)

• Direct the design and delivery of academic support programs specific to writing, reading, digital literacy, and quantitative literacy.
• Develop appropriate partnerships and collaborations across College faculty and staff to identify both student and professional needs to inform tailored learning and support resources for all stakeholders.

3. Student Engagement, Well-Being, and Belonging (20%)

• Engage and integrate student well-being services and activities, including College counseling services, peer wellness and mental health education, and comprehensive student advising.
• Lead in creating and sustaining a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and sensitivity in all aspects of Center’s services and operations.

4. Evaluation and Resource Management (20%)

• Track and report retention impact of Center initiatives and activity.
• Analyze data to identify trends and areas for improvement in student support and success.
• Allocate and manage financial and staffing resources of the Academic and Student Support Center within stated parameters and prioritized by impact and improvement of student retention, persistence, and graduation rates.

5. Compliance and Reporting (10%)

• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and institutional policies concerning student support and academic services.

• Prepare reports and presentations as identified for federal and state and College accreditation agencies.
   

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated knowledge of Title IX, VAWA, SaVE Act, Clery Act, NYS Enough is Enough and other applicable laws and regulations for educational institutions receiving federal assistance. Ability to effectively manage multiple, diverse and complex duties simultaneously. Strong presentation and facilitation skills with an emphasis on education and training for a variety of constituencies. Strong written and oral communication skills; proficient computer skills; Ability to guide, advise and support the training and learning process with respect to Title IX, VAWA, NYS Enough is Enough law and other College compliance requirements. Excellent attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, the ability to deal with confidential and sensitive information. Ability to build relationships and establish collaborative partnerships across the institution and with partner agencies.  Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusivity, as well as the ability to work with a wide range of constituencies (staff, students, faculty, parents, administrators, alumni, trustees, guests) with diplomacy and tact. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to remain a neutral party. Ability to act independently, take initiative and exercise sound judgment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

Education:

• Master's degree in education, counseling, psychology, or other relevant field.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of experience in areas of increasing responsibility and leadership in higher education administration, academic advising, and/or student support and success programs.

Leadership and Administration:

• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a diverse team in meeting established goals and desired outcomes. Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with evidence of effective collaborations among multiple campus stakeholders. Ability to articulate an understanding and application of current trends and best practices to student support and Academic Success operations. Evidence of a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of student success and support. Use of assessment and evaluation measures to generate data-informed program review, improvements, and resource re/allocation. Night and weekend responsibilities during specified times of each semester and summer

Preferred

            Education:

• Earned doctorate in relevant field as indicated above.

            Experience:

• Operational oversight or core contribution to multiple aspects of grant-funded or subsidized campus initiative or program. 

Full-time employees with Wells College are eligible for a wide range of benefits, including:

• Health, dental, and vision coverage
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options
• Employee Assistance Program (E.A.P), which provides counseling for employees in need
• Basic and supplemental life insurance plans
• 403(b) retirement plan w/ 4% contribution 
• Long-term disability insurance
• Paid time away, including sick, personal and (10) vacation days upon hire, increasing to (15) days of vacation at 1 year of service
• Generous holiday time - (12) paid days including the week between Christmas and New Years
• Flexible work hours
• Dependent tuition benefits, including tuition remission at Wells and tuition exchange with other member institutions
• Free parking and use of the fitness center, pool, library, boathouse dock, and other campus facilities
• On-site café, Golf Course & Pro Shop, and discounts at College Store and Dining Hall with daily lunch buffet

Salary is $68,000 - $75,000 annually.