Commonwealth University of PA is seeking an Assistant Director of Student Success (SUA2).

The Assistant Director of Student Success is responsible for the planning, coordination, and implementation of events and programs geared towards new undergraduate students that focus on positive transition/acclimation to college, playing a pivotal role in University retention efforts. The Assistant Director reports to the Management Executive Director of Student Success. This position will assist the Executive Director in leading Orientation efforts at all four campuses (Lock Haven, Clearfield, Bloomsburg, and Mansfield). This programming includes new and transfer student orientation events and workshops geared towards specific cohorts of incoming/new students such as transfers, first generation, and undeclared. The Assistant Director also coordinates the recruitment, selection, and training of student leaders who fall under the Student Success Office including orientation leaders and peer mentors (ex. Learning Community, First Year Seminar, etc) at all four campuses.

The home campus for this position is Bloomsburg, with the expectation of serving a multi-campus University within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

About the Northeast Integration:
The integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities is a bold investment in the communities and people of Pennsylvania. Our mission is to expand high-quality, affordable academic opportunities to support the needs of all learners.
Powerful ideas start here, carried by dynamic stories and voices, resulting in empowered students. Together, we provide financially responsible degree options that maximize experiential learning, career preparation, and efficient time to degree completion.

We're Honoring our History by preserving the founding principles of each campus and continuing our vibrant on-campus student experience, serving as pillars of our communities, supporting students and our neighbors alike.

We're Investing in Today by answering the greatest challenges facing higher education: accessibility, cost, quality, and relevance through the combined strength of our storied institutions.

We're Building a Powerful Tomorrow by boldly changing the trajectory of public higher education to position ourselves for growth, increased access, and to meet economic and workforce development needs in our region, across Pennsylvania and beyond.

The State System and its universities are committed to cultivating diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments that allow all members of the State System community to thrive.

• Assists the Executive Director with regularly reviewing and revising the orientation model at Commonwealth University to align with nationally recognized best practices, as well as the needs of each campus’ diverse incoming student population.
• Coordinate and lead staffing at all summer orientation day(s) events including session design, campus presenters, registration, parking, meals, etc.
• Coordinate all activities necessary to produce an integrated and inclusive Orientation experience for all new students at the start of both Fall and Spring semesters. Work with other areas of the University where appropriate.
• Manage student staffing of the move-in process in coordination with Residence Life, as well as the student staffing of Welcome Week and Fall/Spring Orientation events/workshops.
• With the Executive Director, co-lead planning and participate on advisory committees related to Orientation and Welcome Week programs/events involving campus stakeholders including but not limited to: Academic Affairs, Admissions, Residence Life, Registrar, Financial Aid, Alumni & Professional Engagement, and Diversity & Inclusion areas.
• With the Executive Director, help lead the review of and revisions to training & development program models for all student leaders who report within Student Success on all four campuses for example: Orientation Leader and Peer Mentors.
• Coordinate and lead efforts to recruit, select, and train student leaders that are part of Student Success including orientation leaders and FYE Peer Mentors on all four campuses.
• Supervise, mentor, and train multiple Graduate Assistants working within Student Success as needed.
• Oversee and advise the BU First Year Experience Student Advisory Council, a student body responsible for planning community service initiatives for the Student Success student staff and FY students, student staff bonding events, and general FYE workshops/programs for FYE students.
• Organize and assist in managing software and website content management systems as needed on all four campuses (HuskySync, Online Orientation platform, Husky Success, etc.)
• Assist the Executive Director with orientation financial needs and student staffing during the annual budget preparation process.
• Serve on additional university committees as needed to support the efforts of Orientation, Welcome Week, and other functional areas within Student Success.
• Network with colleagues through membership in professional organizations such as ACPA, NASPA, NODA in order to stay current with best practices, investigate strategies, and share student success approaches to foster community.
• Perform special job-related duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
• Serve as the primary BU campus lead during Spring, Summer and Fall Orientation Events.
• Work with/Coordinate larger Commonwealth University groups to share ideas/information and combine resources where appropriate for Orientation efforts, Student Leader Trainings, and Student Leader Selection.
• Assist the Director of Student Success with 2nd year and Learning Communities programming/student staff recruitment, selection, and training as needed.

• Relatively autonomous decision-making regarding programmatic responsibilities within the confines of established policies.
• Relatively autonomous decision-making regarding facilitation of all communication efforts with incoming and current 1st year students.
• Relatively autonomous decision-making regarding management of student and supporter orientation concerns.
• Make recommendations to the Executive Director regarding decisions related to student leader training/development, orientation schedule/planning, and appropriate assessment methods tied to these efforts.
• With oversight and final approval from the supervisor, executes all purchase decisions and budget planning for Orientation.
• Monitor costs associated with programmatic efforts generated for Orientation and Student staff training so programs are run effectively and efficiently.
• Supervise support staff, as needed.
• Select, train, and supervise Graduate Assistant(s) and other student employees as needed.
• Coordinate professional staff during Orientation specific events for BU campus.
• Assist with Orientation events at all four campuses as needed.
• Oversee, coordinate, and facilitate all aspects of the recruitment, selection, and hiring, training and on-going development of student leaders, including but not limited to: Husky Orientation Workshop Leaders (HOWLs) and FYE Peer Mentors (Learning Communities and First Year Seminar) for all four campuses.

• Master’s Degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Social Work, College Student Personnel or related field.
• Strong understanding of student development theories as well as leadership models.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience developing, planning, implementing, promoting, and/or evaluating programs.
• Minimum of 1-year experience supervising undergraduate students.
• Demonstrated understanding of student development theory as it relates to first year students and students in transition.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices related to areas of responsibility.
• Demonstrated large-scale program planning skills.
• Demonstrated supervisory and strategic planning experience.
• Demonstrated public speaking and group facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated the ability to multi-task and organize several projects with multiple deadlines – attention to detail and follow-through.
• Demonstrated the ability to interact and engage with students, parents, colleagues, University staff and faculty.
• Demonstrated experience using, orientation registration and assessment.
• Demonstrated appreciation for and commitment to multiculturalism and diversity.
• Professional travel (occasionally with students), evening and weekend work may be required.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled. Applications received by September 22, 2022 will be given full consideration.

Visit https://jobs.lhup.edu/postings/6001 for a full position posting and online application submission.