Director, Center for Academic Success

Job Summary

The Director of the Center for Academic Success (CAS) serves as a manager and leader within the Division of Enrollment Management and Marketing, providing strategic leadership for the development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of academic support and transition services for undergraduate students at Lamar University. The Director oversees existing programs and services while identifying opportunities to expand learning resources, retention, and student success initiatives that enhance student achievement, persistence, and graduation outcomes.
Working collaboratively with university administrators, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders, the Director facilitates the development and execution of retention-focused programming and initiatives across the institution. The Director is responsible for assessing program effectiveness through data-informed evaluation, managing departmental budgets and resources, and communicating program outcomes and impact to the university community. Additionally, the Director oversees the hiring, training, supervision, and evaluation of professional staff, paraprofessional staff, and student employees who support the programs and activities of the Center for Academic Success.

The Director is responsible for promoting the mission, vision, and organizational goals of CAS and serves as its primary representative at Lamar University and within the surrounding community. Through leadership, collaboration, outreach, and advocacy, the Director advances awareness, engagement, and utilization of student success programs and resources while supporting the university's commitment to student achievement and institutional excellence.

Special Note: We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.

Essential Job Functions

• Oversee all CAS programming, activities, and initiatives
• Oversee hiring, training, and supervision of CAS staff.
  
• Partner with campus administrators and university personnel to advance the visibility and impact of CAS programs and initiatives. Foster meaningful engagement with students to encourage participation in programs, activities, and services that support student success. Coordinate advertising, marketing, and promotional efforts to increase awareness and utilization of CAS offerings throughout the campus community.
  
• Assess and evaluate the effectiveness of CAS programs, services, and strategic initiatives through detailed analysis of institutional data, student outcomes, and performance metrics. Generate and disseminate regular and annual reports that support accountability, accreditation, strategic planning, and continuous improvement efforts.
  
• Review, develop, and implement policies and procedures for CAS programs and activities. Revise existing policies and protocols as needed.
  
• Facilitate the professional development of CAS staff and institutional retention personnel on current learning assistance and academic support methods, practices, and emerging trends to ensure the delivery of effective, evidence-based student success services.
  
• Maintaining, reviewing and monitoring CAS budgets, expenditures, and assets.
  

Minimum and Desired Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  
• At least five (5) years of experience in academic support, instructional support, or student supports services in the education setting.

Desired Qualifications:

• Masters degree preferred in related field.
• Seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive professional experience in academic support, instructional support, academic advising, or student support service areas in the higher education setting.
  
• Experience managing, coordinating, and supervising academic support or student service programs and initiatives as they relate to student persistence and degree completion.
  
• Experience managing, training, mentoring professional, paraprofessional, and student staff.
  
• Experience in the management/oversight of departmental and programmatic budgets.
  
• Experience coordinating Progress Report and Early Alert processes/workflows.
  
• Experience in planning, developing, executing and assessing academic support programs and learning resources related to but not limited to tutoring, supplemental instruction, and academic coaching.
  
• Experience with advising, student record, and academic support systems (Banner, Degreeworks, Navigate, Slate, etc.)
  
• Experience with learning management systems (Blackboard, Canvas, etc).
  
• Familiarity with training and accreditation standards as determined via recognized professional learning assistance and academic support associations (CRLA, ATCP, etc).
  

Supplemental Information

Key Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to establish rapport amongst campus constituencies, including faculty, staff, and students.
• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
  
• Work requires managing and monitoring work performance by directing a department, including providing input on hiring/disciplinary actions and work objectives/effectiveness, performance evaluations, and realigning work as needed.
  
• Work requires contact with management personnel, as well as executing decisions related to the implementation of institutional, system, and/or governmental policies.
  
• This position requires advanced skills and knowledge in approaches and systems which affect the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes organization-wide. Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively.
  
• This position is responsible for the appropriate use of personal and financial resources allocated to the unit. Oversees budget preparation of a department budget. Reviews and approves expenditures of significant budgeted funds for the department.
  

Physical Requirements: Able to lift 25 lbs and be able to perform a variety of physical tasks including lifting, bending, stooping, squatting, stair climbing and walking between buildings; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Job Conditions: Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with extensive public contact and frequent interruptions.

Who We Are:
Home to more than 18,000 students, Lamar University is among the fastest growing Texas colleges and universities. LU is a member of The Texas State University System, which is the first higher education system of Texas and maintains the lowest average tuition and fees of any university system in Texas. With more than 120-degree options and a community that cares, Lamar students are always proud to be Cardinals. Lamar University strives to educate leaders, demonstrate excellence in student learning and career readiness, and pursue research with relevance.
Lamar University is committed to fostering an environment of teamwork where all students, faculty, and staff can learn, work, and become a part of our community.

Benefits:

• Health, dental & vision insurance
• Life insurance
  
• State of Texas Retirement plans
  
• Tuition covered at 100% for employees, spouses and/or eligible dependents
  
• Paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays
  

To see more information about the available benefits, please visit: Benefits - Lamar University

Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer

Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.

This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.