Senior Director for Academic Advising and Retention

Founded by the Sisters of Charity of New York, the University of Mount Saint Vincent is an academically excellent, authentically inclusive, Catholic and ecumenical liberal arts university. The University combines a strong core curriculum with a full array of majors in the liberal arts and, within the tradition of liberal education, selected professional fields of study.

At Mount Saint Vincent, a student’s education extends beyond knowledge, skills, and preparation for work. We seek the development of the whole person. In the spirit of Vincent de Paul and Elizabeth Ann Seton, we foster an understanding of our common humanity, a commitment to human dignity, and a full appreciation of our obligations to each other.

Position Summary:

The Senior Director for Academic Advising and Retention oversees the University’s professional advising program, providing leadership and strategic direction to ensure student success and retention of undergraduate, graduate, online, domestic and international students. This role involves direct supervision of advising staff, development and implementation of advising systems, and a strong focus on reporting and metrics related to student visits, utility, alerts, retention and ultimately graduation. This is a full time, exempt-salaried position working onsite Monday - Friday.

Essential Functions and Basic Duties:

Leadership and Supervision:

• Oversee the management of the UMSV Advisement Office
• Train, provide supervisory support, performance feedback and professional development for advising staff.
• Develop, implement, and maintain an academic advising system for all students

Student Success and Retention:

• Develop and implement support programs and retention initiatives to enhance student success.
• Maintain a caseload of students to advise on academic, and psychosocial matters, including course selection, curriculum plans, transfer credits, and course registration.
• Develop and maintain academic student profiles and counseling reports, including preliminary diagnostic assessments, goal setting, academic progress reports and service referrals.
• Act as supervisory staff in the provision of individual and group counseling to students on academic, cultural, and personal issues.
• Leads the efforts to reconnect withdrawn students who are eligible to return to the University and implements a re-recruitment plan
• Works closely with Academic Affairs to program for undecided students

Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate with key senior administrators, including the Dean of the Undergraduate College/ Vice Provost, College Registrar, Dean of Students, Senior Director for Admission and Director of Financial Aid.
• Work closely with the Deans and Assistant Deans of the Schools and Departments
• As needed, partner with the Dean of the Undergraduate college on managing academic plans, academic withdrawals and other academic related student matters.
• Coordinate with other departments to address student concerns and ensure seamless service.
• Work closely with the Dean of the Undergraduate College/ Vice Provost to ensure that grant funded positions remain compliant.
• Design and deploy a student communication plan calendar for the department outlining channels, populations and timing of messaging.
• Work with University partners to support retention initiatives

Systems, Reporting and Metrics:

• Analyzes data relevant to student needs, retention, attrition, student success, persistence and graduation rates and educates the College community on findings.
• Serves on leadership team for EAB Navigate
• Working with the Navigate liaison, train staff and implement updates
• Track and report on advisor/office utilization, student visits, event participation, and office communication plans.
• Create and present weekly departmental reports to senior leadership, including but not limited to data on appointments, registration and retention
• Collect and analyze data related to student success and retention, using insights to improve services and strategies.

Professional Development and Compliance:

• Actively participate in professional organizations and stay updated on best practices in advising and higher education.
• Ensure compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Maintain and update advising-related forms, databases, and materials.

Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Education/Certification: Master’s Degree required, preferably in Higher Education or Counseling.
• Required Knowledge: Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, knowledge of FERPA, and familiarity with academic advising best practices.
• Experience: 5 to 10 years of relevant full-time employment, with 3 to 5 years of supervisory experience in academic advising.
• Skills/Abilities: Strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills; excellent interpersonal and communication abilities; project management skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Must be available for evening and weekend activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with professional, online, international and graduate students
• DSO experience is desirable

Salary Range: $80,000-$90,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for medical and dependent care
• 100% employer sponsored life insurance, AD&D insurance and Long term disability
• Retirement plan with employer matching
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Professional development opportunities via Coursera
• Tuition benefits for employees and their dependents
• Commuter benefits
• Employee Assistance Plan