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Executive Director of Student Success

companyFisk University
locationNashville, TN, USA
PublishedPublished: 6/14/2022
Full Time

Job Details

Level
Management

Job Location
Fisk University - Nashville, TN

Position Type
Full Time

Education Level
Graduate Degree

Job Category
Management

Description

DESCRIPTION:

Fisk University seeks a dynamic, visionary, and experienced Executive Director of Student Success to establish and lead a comprehensive Student Success Center. The Center will be a centralized hub for student support, providing seamless access to academic advising, tutoring, academic and career coaching, peer mentoring, first-year experience programming, and the administration of AESP (Academic Enrichment & Support Program) and LEAD grant initiatives. The Executive Director will play a critical role in shaping, implementing, and continuously improving student success strategies that promote academic excellence, retention, and persistence, especially for underrepresented and first-generation students. The position reports to the Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Success.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Develop and Launch Student Success Center:

  • Lead the planning, development, and implementation of a centralized Student Success Center to support academic achievement, personal growth, and career readiness.
  • Create a welcoming and inclusive environment that promotes collaboration, student engagement, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Leadership and Management:

  • Supervise a team of academic counselors, tutors, peer mentors, and administrative staff dedicated to fostering student success.
  • Provide ongoing professional development and training for staff to ensure high-quality support aligned with best practices.

Strategic Planning and Program Development:

  • Design and oversee comprehensive student support services, including advising, tutoring, academic and career coaching, peer mentoring, and first-year experience programming.
  • Integrate and coordinate AESP and LEAD grant programs to align with institutional goals for student retention and completion.
  • Develop data-informed strategies to identify and proactively address barriers to student success, with a focus on underrepresented and first-generation students.

Collaboration and Partnership Building:

  • Work closely with academic departments, enrollment management, student affairs, faculty, and community partners to align support services with student needs and institutional priorities.
  • Partner with Admission, Financial Aid, Registrar, and other key departments to provide a seamless experience for students, ensuring timely responses to academic and administrative needs.

Assessment and Continuous Improvement:

  • Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and use data analytics to monitor, assess, and improve the effectiveness of the Student Success Center's programs.
  • Conduct regular assessments of student satisfaction, learning outcomes, and retention metrics to inform data-driven improvements.
  • Compile quarterly and annual grant reports.

Resource Development and Grant Management:

  • Manage and oversee budgets for the Center and its associated programs.
  • Identify and pursue grant opportunities, partnerships, and external funding to enhance services and expand resources for student success initiatives.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

Other duties as may be assigned.

SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • Strong leadership, organizational, and team management skills.
  • Proven ability to develop, implement, and scale student support services.
  • Strong analytical skills with a track record of using data to drive decision-making and program improvement.
  • Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic recruitment plans.
  • Experience using student success CRM systems (e.g., EAB Navigate) and data analytics in supporting student persistence, retention, and completion.
  • Knowledge of national trends in higher education in student success.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, results-driven environment.


ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY:

Provides managerial oversight for the following office functions: Academic Counselors, Disability Support Services Coordinator, Tutor Coordinator, Peer Tutors, and Peer Mentors.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Master's degree from an accredited college/university in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Counseling, or related field; Doctorate preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in student success, advising, or related fields within higher education, with demonstrated success in building and leading student-centered programs., with at least 3 years in a leadership role.

Additional Requirements: A background and/or credit check will be required of the successful applicant. An official transcript (if applicable) and names, addresses and phone numbers of three (3) references will be required of the successful applicant. This is a full-time, on-campus position that may require occasional evening and weekend work, as well as travel for professional development events.

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