Associate Director, Student Success

Job Summary

Reporting jointly to the Dean's Office within the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) and the Division of Enrollment Management and Marketing, this position plays a key role in advancing the colleges and university’s success objectives. The Associate Director provides strategic leadership and supervision for the undergraduate student services team and is responsible for leading the COAS advising team, directing the Pre-Professional Program, facilitating transfer pathways and transition initiatives, overseeing student retention efforts through the implementation of recruit-back strategies and interventions for students experiencing academic or enrollment challenges, developing and supporting first year experience initiatives, and providing guidance and support for COAS student organizations. The Associate Director fosters a collaborative environment that enhances the student experience and promotes academic achievement, persistence, and engagement within the college's programs. This position plays a critical role in strengthening academic and student support services across the college and requires effective leadership, strategic planning, and the ability to collaborate with faculty, staff, and university partners to support student success and program effectiveness.

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

• Provides leadership, direction, and oversight for the Student Success team, ensuring effective delivery of advising, registration, student engagement, and first-year experience services. Oversee the recruitment, training, development, and performance of staff while fostering a collaborative, student-centered environment focused on student success and retention. Coordinates and leads College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) and Pre-Professional Program initiatives designed to support student achievement, academic progression, and career readiness. Serves as a mentor to
  students and team members by promoting professional development, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Assists pre-professional students in preparing competitive applications for professional schools and develops partnerships with local hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices, and other community organizations to facilitate shadowing, internship, and experiential learning opportunities. Serves as the university's JAMP (Joint Admission Medical Program) Director, overseeing program participation, advising eligible students, coordinating program requirements and activities, and representing the institution at the annual JAMP and Texas Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (TAHP) conferences.
  
• Develops, implements, maintains, and evaluates comprehensive annual student success plans for the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) and the Pre-Professional Program in collaboration with the Enrollment Coordinator and Recruitment team to support student recruitment, retention, persistence, and degree completion goals. Collects, analyzes, and interprets student success, enrollment, retention, and career readiness data to assess the effectiveness of programs, services, and enrollment management initiatives. Utilizes data-driven insights to identify trends, measure outcomes, and develop recommendations for strategic improvements that enhance student achievement, support enrollment objectives, and advance career and professional school readiness outcomes.
• Develop and implement support programs for COAS and Pre-professional students facing academic, personal, or financial challenges by identifying, creating, and securing resources and services. This includes providing access to academic support, counseling, tutoring, and other interventions, while collaborating with the University success team, departments, faculty, and staff to ensure seamless coordination of services and enhance students' academic and personal development to promote completion and graduation.
• Collaborate with COAS and Pre-Prof. student organizations to plan and organize social events, workshops, and networking opportunities, ensuring alignment with the academic and career development needs of members and students. Address student needs and concerns, facilitating effective communication and advocating for student interests.
• Working with the University Student Success team, design and implement programs that ease the transition for first year students, ensuring they have the necessary support and resources for a successful start.
• Collaborate closely with Dean’s Office and Enrollment Management leadership to ensure alignment of departmental activities with institutional objectives, contributing to the overall success of the CoAS, Pre-Professional Programs, and Lamar University.
• Work directly with the Enrollment Management Marketing/Recruiting team on college-wide and pre-professional initiatives, including those that seek to re-engage former students who wish to return to a COAS and/or Pre-Professional program and promote 6-year graduation rate.

Minimum and Desired Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• 3 or more years of progressive higher education experience or related advising, student success, student services-related field
• Official transcripts are required at the time of employment.

Desired Qualificaitons:

• 3 or more years of supervisory and leadership skills - Experience supervising full-time professional, administrative support, and student staff.
• Prior professional experience in an enrollment management environment, demonstrating a familiarity with the details and demands of student success, student engagement, and support services
  
• Proficiency in academic advising and counseling, including the ability to offer guidance and support when necessary.
  
• Proficiency and experience in utilizing a range of technologies, which may encompass, but are not limited to, systems such as DegreeWorks, Banner, MyScholarships, various social media platforms, event design platforms, purchasing systems, event reservation platforms, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems/Slate, etc.
  
• Proficiency in advanced technical and computer skills to support administrative functions, including but not limited to the MS Office Suite, with a strong focus on PowerPoint, Excel, and database management. Familiarity with electronic calendar management and various videoconferencing applications like Outlook, Zoom, MS Teams, MS Office, Slate, etc.

Supplemental Information

Key Competencies:

• Demonstrated strong leadership skills, including the ability to inspire, guide, and collaborate effectively with teams and individuals.
  
• Demonstrates project management expertise with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to effectively multitask, particularly in high pressure
  situations.
  
• Proven ability to work effectively both as an independent contributor and as a collaborative team member.
  
• Proficient in delivering outstanding customer service with effective communication skills, both written and oral, when engaging with industry leaders, representatives, faculty, staff, and students.
  
• Committed to maintaining a high standard of customer service, ensuring professional and courteous interactions to meet the needs of clients and colleagues.
  
• Possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong editing and proofreading capabilities, and is adept at interacting with staff at all organizational levels.
  
• High-level discretion and a strong commitment to maintaining confidentiality in handling sensitive information.
  
• Displaying diplomacy, maintaining a professional appearance and demeanor, and consistently demonstrating excellent attendance.

Physical Requirements:

• Lifting and Carrying: The ability to lift and move reams/boxes of paper, tables, decorations, and other supplies, weighing up to 50lbs, as necessary for job tasks.
  
• Event Setup and Teardown: Must be capable of setting up and tearing down equipment and materials for events, which may involve bending, lifting, and carrying.
  
• Extended Periods on Feet: This position may require long hours spent standing during events. Candidates should be able to stand, walk, and perform job duties for extended periods.
  
• Walking Campus: Ability to walk around the campus, including participating in visits and camps, which may involve traversing various terrains and buildings.
  

Job Conditions: 8 am – 5 pm Monday – Friday, some early mornings, some evenings, some weekends. This is an on-campus, in-person position. This position may require participation and attendance in departmental, college, university- wide events, including those related to recruitment, yield, and retention efforts.

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.