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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 of the 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 cafe, Golf Course & Pro Shop, and discounts at College Store and
Dining Hall with daily lunch buffet
Salary is $68,000 – $75,000 annually.
