About Bay Path University: When Bay Path opened its doors to students in 1897, it had a very clear goal: to provide a practical, affordable, and career-oriented education to meet the needs of companies, organizations, and communities. From the beginning, Bay Path prided itself on being entrepreneurial, constantly pushing the boundaries of the academic experience to fit the student...to start them on the road of success. We still do. Today, that spirit and philosophy is more important than ever in higher education. At Bay Path, it's not just the number and breadth of undergraduate and graduate programs that defines us-and we have many-but it is our ability to connect the classroom to learning to leadership to experience to career that is at the core of what we do best. We know the work that needs to be done. Bay Path University, an independent and not-for-profit institution, was named Among Fastest Growing Baccalaureate Colleges by the Chronicle of Higher Education Almanac, and is a member of the Women's College Coalition. With a main campus in Longmeadow, MA and three satellite locations, (East Longmeadow, Sturbridge, Concord), Bay Path offers undergraduate, graduate (for women and men) degrees, and professional certificates. We're committed to preparing our students to navigate a constantly changing world. Whether it is one of our innovative academic programs, groundbreaking online learning platform, or through our Women as Empowered Learners and Leaders initiative, we educate our students in ways that will help them to grow, learn to adapt, and always to flourish. Be part of the change. We invite you to visit our website at www.baypath.edu where you can learn more about Bay Path University.
Job Description: - Position Code:
- Job Type (FT, PT etc.): FT
- Hours: 8:30a-5:00p
- Schedule: M-F, some evenings and weekends required
- Position Location: Hybrid, Longmeadow, MA
Job Summary: The Director of Retention and Student Success is broadly responsible for policies and procedures related to student success and advising by promoting and coordinating thoughtful student success initiatives and implementing a data-driven and highly personalized approach to student retention. This position is responsible for managing the early alert system, the Center for Advising & Student Success, and developing and implementing a strategy to identify and proactively intervene with at-risk students. The Director of Retention and Student Success will work closely with staff in Academic Support, Student Financial Services, the Registrar's Office, Student Life, Faculty, and Admissions. Essential Duties:
- Under the direction of the Dean of Advising & Student Support provide supervision of, and leadership to, the Advising & Student Success Center staff on retention and student support practices.
- Assume shared retention responsibility with the Dean of Advising & Student Support by implementing meaningful retention efforts that are responsive to all undergraduate and graduate students, and that reflects the University's mission and vision plan.
- Assume all advising responsibility by implementing a model that is suitable yet flexible for all undergraduate students and that reflects the University's mission and vision plan.
- Collaborate with Faculty Mentors to ensure coordinated and complimentary support of traditional undergraduate students.
- Assist Faculty Mentors in using data to make meaningful student outreach in collaboration with advising.
- Conduct monthly departmental meetings between professional advisors and program chairs to ensure a high level of collaboration.
- Serve as advising representative on cross-campus implementation teams, working groups, and committees to provide feedback on the student experience.
- Develop training materials and conduct professional development trainings such as workshops for various student-facing offices and roles on best practices for retaining all Bay Path Students.
- Research best practices in student success and retention and use research to inform a cycle of continuous improvement in how we retain and support students.
- Develop and deliver onboarding and on-going training for the team of Student Success Center staff.
- Develop communication plan for keeping the community apprised of developments and progress in the Student Success Center.
- Assist in responsibly tracking and spending funds on Student Success Center services and initiatives.
- Maintain close collaboration with OPM to ensure coordination and quality of support to TAWC students.
- Assist in establishing a virtual (online) student success center(s) to ensure that undergraduate and graduate students are adequately supported regardless of learning modality.
- Evaluate and track the effectiveness of advising services, utilizing data and student feedback, to ensure effectiveness and meaningfulness for the range of Bay Path students.
- Collaborate with staff of the Registrar's Office, Admissions, Student Life, Student Financial Service, Careers, and Academic Support (among others), to establish a coordinated set of student success interventions that will ultimately lead to improved student retention.
- Oversee development of assessment process, data collection, analysis and dissemination of information regarding impact of student success initiatives.
- Lead the Advising & Student Success Team in reviewing barriers to student success and report on trends and issues that affect retention and persistence.
- Assist in the development and review of academic policies and procedures for both undergraduate and graduate students each Catalog year.
- Collaborate with Institutional Research staff to assist in the compilation and production of retention reports for all students.
- Approach all work with a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) lens. This includes but is not limited to: considering the impact of decisions on marginalized and underrepresented groups, actively seeking out diverse perspectives and voices, and regularly reviewing and updating policies and practices to ensure they are inclusive and equitable.
- Participating in DEIB initiatives and serving on committees is strongly encouraged.
- Attend trainings as required.
- Performs other job-related functions as assigned by the University.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Advising & Student Success Center Staff
Requirements: - Master's degree, preferably in the areas of Higher Education, student services administration, instructional administration, education, planning, or counseling is required. Degree must be from an accredited institution.
- Minimum 5 years of advising/retention experience in a higher education setting.
- Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.
- Proficient data analysis/interpretation skills, including tracking, reporting and synthesizing data from different sources.
- Knowledge of assessment tools, methods and markers related to advising and retention.
- Confidently independent and proactive leader who is comfortable with a high degree of collaboration with multiple departments.
- Emotionally intelligent, diplomatic and inclusive professional who works with the student at the center of her role.
- High level of initiative, attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Proven interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a diverse constituency and all levels of the organization.
- Excellent oral and written communication.
- Passion for empowering learners to succeed.
- Comfortable performing basic data analysis and interpreting data.
- Able to work with confidential material and sensitive matters with integrity, diplomacy and discretion.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite of programs and database management.
- Ability to adhere to University policies and procedures.
- Appreciation for Bay Path University's woman-focused mission is required.
- Willingness to work flexible and extended schedule including weekends and evening when needed.
- The Director may be asked to participate in various student success events and on select University committees.
- If you operate a University owned, leased or personal vehicle at any time while performing your duties you must follow all policies and procedures outlined in the Operations Manual. You must have a valid driver's license and must successfully pass the online safe Driving Course and driving record check at time of hire and annually thereafter. Additionally, you must report any driving offense, on or off company time, which causes a loss, suspension, or any other change in your license status. You must report this change within one business day of the offense. You can report this change to the Human Resource Department or your direct supervisor. Failure to do so can lead to disciplinary action, up to and including terminations.
- Ability to adhere to University policies and procedures.
- Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
- Should be committed to a culture of diversity, respect and inclusion; demonstrated ability to build working relationships with people having a wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences different from ones' own.
- General knowledge of the University's mission, purpose, and goals and the role this position plays in achieving those goals.
Additional Information: Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Bay Path University is a diverse community devoted to proactively nurturing a campus-wide culture that promotes and ensures equity, respect, inclusion and safety for all members regardless of race, color, national origin, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity, socio-economic background, or physical ability. We are one University that opens our hearts and minds to conversations, to learning and to creating a community that is welcoming of all. Regardless of position, it is expected that each employee will embrace this commitment and demonstrate an attitude of respect toward and acceptance of all members of our community.
Application Instructions: Applicants for this position should attach a cover letter, resume / curriculum vitae, the contact information for four (4) professional, work related references and any other relevant information pertaining to this position and your candidacy. Please apply online. Faxes and emails will not be accepted. Bay Path University is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and learning in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from minorities, women and all underrepresented backgrounds. An Equal Opportunity Employer, Bay Path University is committed to fostering diversity in its student body, faculty, and staff. Bay Path University is a smoke and tobacco-free community. All offers of employment are contingent on satisfactory background checking. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position please email us at ...@baypath.edu or call 413-###-####.