East Carolina University, a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina, is a doctoral institution with an enrollment of over 27,000 students and approximately 4,500 faculty and staff.
Job Description: The Office of Assessment, Research & Retention in the Student Affairs Division at East Carolina University is seeking applications for the position of Assistant Director for Assessment, Research & Retention. Student Affairs Assessment, Research & Retention (SAARR) champions a culture of evidence and improvement within the Student Affairs Division in support of student learning, development, and success. SAARR provides leadership to increase the institution's knowledge about students, the educational environment, and institutional effectiveness to continuously improve student programs and services, and does so through service in support of outcomes-based assessment, data-driven decision-making, strategic planning, student-focused research, and professional education.
Reporting to the Director of Student Affairs Assessment, Research & Retention, the Assistant Director is charged with co-creating a culture of evidence of student learning and development by conducting systematic research and assessment of Student Affairs programs and services at the Division level and providing hands-on assistance with unit level assessment and evaluation. Specifically, this position will provide assessment, evaluation, and research support to advance the missions of the Student Affairs Division and SAARR. This position provides coordination and expertise in designing, implementing, and interpreting assessment, evaluation, and research projects including, but not limited to: learning and operational outcomes, student retention and success measures, institutional research data sets, program evaluation, satisfaction and benchmarking, institutional/cultural climate studies, participation in national surveys, program review and accreditation support, research being conducted by individuals and work groups within the Student Affairs Division, and project specific assessment related to the Division's strategic priorities.
This position will provide one-on-one and group consultation to Division staff to address their assessment and evaluation needs and guide staff in defining measurable program goals and learning outcomes, and selecting assessment strategies; Assist SA departments to conduct assessment/evaluation/research; including planning, data gathering, data analysis, and report preparation for assigned projects; Use principles of research and measurement theory to develop multi-dimensional, rigorous and trustworthy methods that assess student learning and development, including consideration of psychometric characteristics, qualitative/quantitative analysis, and human subjects ethics; Develop and manage the Division's key performance indicator (KPI) Dashboard in collaboration with Institutional Planning and Institutional Technology Computing System; Analyze, interpret, and disseminate available data from professional literature, national data banks, institutional effectiveness research, and other student-related studies specific to assigned projects; In conjunction with the Director, prepare correspondence and reports about assessment activities within the division including the contributions of the division toward student learning, retention, and success, collaborate with Institutional Planning, Assessment, & Research to promote and support connections between SA assessment/research and those of relevant programs in other administrative and academic units; Assist in planning and conducting professional development activities for SA staff to enhance their assessment, evaluation, and research competencies; Serve on and assist in the management of the Student Affairs Assessment Team (SAAT); Attend departmental staff meetings; Participate in committees, task forces, and special programming efforts as appropriate; Represent the department and/or university at professional conferences and workshops, serving on division or campus committees.
Minimum Qualifications: Master's degree, from an appropriately accredited institution, in area related to assessment and measurement, statistics, student affairs, higher education, education research or other research-oriented discipline related to assessment and evaluation, statistics, or social science; Minimum three years full time experience in higher education; professional practice in, or collaboration with, Student Affairs is preferred; must include a demonstrated record of conducting assessment, evaluation and/or research; Knowledge of theory and practice related to college student development, including familiarity with professional standards such as The Council for the Advancement of Standard in Higher Education (CAS) and Assessment Skills and Knowledge (ASK) Standards; Skilled in quantitative and qualitative research design and administration. Preference given to those with experience in experimental and survey design, data analysis, and statistical reporting; Ability to understand mission alignment and broad planning frameworks, long-term goals, outcomes-based approaches, key performance measures, and to summarize and present complex analysis of data to varied audiences and constituencies; Strong analytic, interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills; Ability to work independently to accomplish assigned goals in a timely manner. Ability to work with detailed information with attention to accuracy.
Special Instructions to Applicants: In order to be considered for the position, all applicants are required to submit a candidate profile, a letter of interest, a current resume/vitae, and a list of references including contact information, online.
In addition, each candidate should arrange to have a minimum of three letters of reference that speak directly to the candidate's qualifications for this position, submitted to the Chair of the search committee at the address indicated below:
Dr. Travis Lewis
Dean of Students Office
East Carolina University
Mail Stop #118
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
Additionally, original official transcripts, as well as a criminal background check, will be required upon offer of employment.
East Carolina University seeks to create an environment that fosters the recruitment and retention of a more diverse student body, faculty, staff and administration. In order to promote the university's diversity goal, Student Affairs strongly encourages applicants from women, minorities, and historically underrepresented groups.
Date Initial Screening Begins: 12-05-2012
Job Close Date: Open Until Filled