NOTE:  A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume in a single document to be uploaded in the online application. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position, as well as the skills and experiences that directly relate to this position.

The Assistant Director for Student Success in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) Newnan Academic Advising Center is responsible for meeting the needs of students experiencing academic difficulty and challenge through leveraging national best practices, powerful advising strategies, and leveraging University resources. The Newnan Advising Center is situated in the LSA Student Academic Affairs (SAA) unit and plays a critical role in the undergraduate educational mission of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) at the University of Michigan. As the largest college on the Ann Arbor campus, LSA serves over 17,000 undergraduate students in over 100 degree programs. This position is primarily on-campus with allowances for hybrid work (i.e. three days in office, 2 days remote during academic year) and reports to the Director of the LSA Newnan Academic Advising Center.

LSA Student Academic Affairs (SAA) engages students, fosters their success, and upholds academic standards in support of the liberal arts and the University of Michigan community. As a community of over sixty full-time higher education professionals, and in collaboration with key partners across the college and beyond, SAA aspires to be a valued resource and leader in support of the academic and personal experience of undergraduate students at the university. Overall, SAA is responsible for helping LSA undergraduates achieve the expectations and rewards of the liberal arts and science education afforded by the college. To accomplish this responsibility, LSA SAA is organized into the following areas: Office of the Assistant Dean, Newnan LSA Academic Advising Center, Academic Opportunities & Support, and Academic Policy & Technology.

The Assistant Director for Student Success in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) Newnan Academic Advising Center is responsible for developing and offering a variety of innovative and diverse programs and services that address the needs of students experiencing academic difficulty and challenges. While specifically focusing on students of academic concern the Assistant Director, in collaboration with the Director and Associate Directors, will contribute in meaningful ways to the leadership of the Newnan Advising Center.

A successful candidate will play a key role in supporting and enhancing the experiences of students of academic concern by utilizing national best practices and incorporating university resources into daily operations. They will be expected to build relationships with advisors and administrative staff within Newnan as well as across the college and university. Cultivating and contributing to a culture that is welcoming, supportive, and responsive to the diverse identities of our students and staff is a priority and  expectation of this position.

In addition to coordinating support for students of academic concern the Assistant Director is expected to maintain a general advising caseload of students. They will collaborate with a team of academic advisors within Newnan, as well as both the Academic Opportunities & Support and Academic Policy & Technology teams, to provide support for students in LSA.

Coordination of Student Success Advising and Initiatives (50%)

• Develop, coordinate, and deliver advising and support initiatives for student of academic concern to be utilized by all advisors in Newnan and the Comprehensive Studies program
• In collaboration with unit director and Academic Opportunities and Support create and manage new outreach initiatives for students of academic concern
• In collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team assist with exception petitions and grade review
• Use data informed practices to identify and support students of academic concern and develop programs to support student success, retention, and persistence
• Support and train advisors to effectively work with students of academic concern
• Create and coordinate assessment efforts to evaluate, update, and enhance strategies and practices to support students of academic concern
• Assist is short-term and long term planning efforts related to the Newnan Advising Center
• Keep guiding and procedural documents up-to-date and accessible to advisors and stakeholders regarding students of concern support shared practices
• Build partnerships with key University resources such as the Dean of Students, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Wolverine Wellness, etc.
• Respond to difficult student and parent cases referred by the Dean’s Office, as well as inquiries from faculty members, advisors, and administrative staff

General and Student Success Advising (30%)

• Conduct general liberal arts advising for a cohort of LSA students and students of concern
• Advise students of academic concern and serve as a resource to general advisors also working to support these students
• Maintain contact through email with advisees, including responding to progress reports, outreach to students in academic difficulty, and alerting students to options and new opportunities consistent with their growth and development
• Maintain timely and accurate records of interactions with students, referrals, exceptions to standard procedures, and decisions affecting degree progress
• Review, troubleshoot, and resolve student concerns - advising, degree exceptions, graduation requirements 
• Communicate with faculty and other administrators as needed

Supervision (10%)

• Communicate unit and area goals to staff and lead their implementation
• Provide direct supervision to two student success advisors and unit administrative staff.
• Lead the year round performance management process with all direct reports, including the planning, coaching, and review of each individual’s performance
• Actively engage direct reports in development and growth opportunities throughout the year
• Serve as a resource for advisors and support staff

Service to Newnan/SAA (10%)

• Serve as a liaison to two or more UM academic departments, schools, colleges or administrative units
• Lead the design and/or delivery of workshops, group advising, educational programs, etc.
• Develop and update web resources
• Represent Newnan and/or the college at recruitment and retention activities and events
• Serve on committees, task forces, and working groups as time and interests allow
• Exercise initiative in the ongoing efforts of the organization to improve the quality of service

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

• Supervision is received from the Director of the LSA Newnan Advising Center

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

• Provide direct supervision to two student success advisors and indirect supervision to unit administrative staff

• Master’s degree in a liberal arts field, higher education, social work or area of study or experience affording understanding of the undergraduate student experience
• At least three years academic advising experience in a college or university setting
• Understanding of student success work in a college setting and high impact practices (i.e. utilizing learning outcomes)
• Experience leading full-time staff members in a specific capacity for approximately 1 year (i.e. committee work, working groups, onboarding responsibilities, supervision, etc.)
• Previous experience providing and developing for students of academic concern
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, including experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and identities
• Proven ability to successfully work in a collaborative team environment
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to establish positive and respectful working relationships with students, staff, and faculty
• Strong written and oral communication skills

The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, fulfill the College’s Values, and sustain the excellence of LSA. To learn more about LSA’s Strategic Vision visit https://lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision. Details regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion in LSA can be found at https://lsa.umich.edu/lsa/dei.html.

The University of Michigan and LSA are committed to the ongoing development of a workplace culture supportive of personal and family life, which includes benefits, resources and tools promoting work-life flexibility. SAA strives to support work flexibility options while maintaining a high level of on-campus student support in alignment with the college’s residential experience. This position is on-campus with the option for a flexible work schedule. To learn more about the University’s generous and competitive benefits package visit https://careers.umich.edu/benefits/.

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

The University of Michigan is committed to fostering learning, creativity and productivity, and to support the vigorous exchange of ideas and information, not only in the classroom but in the workplace by:

Creating a work environment in which people treat each other with respect and dignity, regardless of roles, responsibilities or differences.

Providing support, direction and resources enabling us to accomplish the responsibilities of our jobs and to reach the goals that are set for professional and personal growth.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters when eligible, are required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all campuses, including Michigan Medicine.  This includes those working remotely.   More information on this new policy is available on the Campus Blueprint website or the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint websites.