Edward Waters University Looking for Executive Director of Student Success and Retention Full Time

ABOUT EDWARD WATERS UNIVERSITY

Edward Waters University (EWU/University) is distinctively the state of Florida’s first independent institution of higher learning as well as Florida’s first institution established for the education of African-Americans. With a distinguished higher education lineage spanning over 155 years, EWU is primed to continue its Emerging Eminence as a premier urban, private, Christian, historically black, liberal arts institution offering high quality four-year baccalaureate degrees and preparing students holistically to advance in a global society through the provision of intellectually stimulating academic programs of study. The University offers a close-knit, collegial, intellectual community that draws students and scholars from around the world. True to its historic mission the University’s academic program provides access and opportunity to a high-quality 21st century undergraduate education consisting of a reinvigorated, practical, and engaged liberal arts curriculum buttressed by an array of comprehensive academic services to support high academic scholarship, achievement, and overall student success.

The University’s liberal arts curriculum is designed to provide students with a program that is rigorous, inclusive, pragmatic, socially relevant and responsible. As such, EWU is an institution of purposeful intention that employs its resources and aligns its practices to provide students with an impactful academic and experiential program of study. The University’s graduates are pioneering leaders, insatiable learners, critical thinkers, and are highly skilled in navigating new environments, integrating knowledge from different sources, and becoming agents for positive change in every sector of our increasingly expanding society and world. In addition, the academic program at EWU embraces and places high value upon inclusivity and diversity and

recognizes that students come to the University from a wide ranging and diverse array of backgrounds.

EWU AT A GLANCE

Edward Waters University (EWU) is home to nearly 1,000 full-time students in eight bachelor degree programs including Business Administration, Biology, Criminal Justice, Mass Communication, Psychology, Elementary Education, Mathematics, and Music. The University also possesses a distinguished accelerated, non-traditional adult degree program and is a member institution of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and is proud of its founding progeny and continuing tradition in the African-Methodist Episcopal (AME) church.

CITY OF JACKSONVILLE – THE FIRST COAST OF FLORIDA

At 840 square miles, Jacksonville is the largest city in the continental United States by landmass. With Florida’s youngest population at an average age of 35 – and one of its hippest – Jacksonville, or Jax as locals call it, is the getaway that leaves you feeling refreshed yet accomplished because while there’s plenty to do, there’s never any rush to get it done. It’s always sunny in Jax as the city gets 270 days of sunshine on average per year and boasts the largest urban park system in the country.

In Jax, you can experience a different side of Florida, combining both relaxation and adventure, and letting you choose just how active you want to be. Enjoy our 22 miles of beaches, world-class fishing, historic neighborhoods, sporting events featuring NFL football and the hometown Jacksonville Jaguars, a vibrant street arts scene, creative coastal cuisine, delicious craft beer, vibrant nightlife and amazing shopping including boutiques in eclectic neighborhoods, bargain outlets, and upscale open-air shopping malls like St. Johns Town Center which offers 1.1 million square feet of shopping space.

A central travel hub by land, sea, and air Jax’s travel accessibility is outstanding as over 30 U.S. cities feature non-stop flights to Jacksonville. Lonely Planet ranked Jacksonville on its list of the world’s “10 Best Value Destinations for 2018,” the only U.S. city to make the list, and Expedia recently named Jacksonville as one of “21 Supercool U.S. Cities.”

Edwards Waters University is searching for a dynamic, energetic, student centered, data driven professional to serve as the next Executive Director of Student Success & Retention. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Student Success & Engagement, the Executive Director will provide leadership and vision in developing an academic success and retention focused Tiger Center for Academic Persistence & Success (TCAPS).

The Executive Director will supervise the Director of First and Second Year Experience & the Academic Advising Coordinator as well as lead the University’s academic advising efforts and promoting excellence in learning opportunities while developing cohesive infrastructure and programming across departments to achieve academic integration.

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Executive Director will lead efforts in enhancing students’ academic and professional success through the effective coordination of the first and second year students while cultivating and maintaining a student-centered campus environment through curricular and co-curricular experiences. The Executive Director contributes to the overall academic integration of the University with an emphasis on retention and persistence of students in alignment with building a sense of community amongst faculty, staff and students.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Direct programs, services, and activities to promote student success and retention

· Execute an effective New Student Orientation and Rev. Charles H. Pearce Institute

· Serve as the liaison to Academic Affairs to foster university awareness and adoption of effective high impact practices.

· Serve as the chair of the Student Intervention Team

· Implement and advise an effective mentorship program

· Effectively advise students on academic and career issues

· Oversee the implementation and use of the Tutoring Program

· Develop appropriate action plans for students to explore various majors

· Provide timely information on course/degree options and University policies

· Assist students with admission and course registration

· Continuously monitor the academic and personal progress of advisees

· Determine eligibility and satisfactory progress toward degree.

· Audit the Academic Advising module and verify students with declared majors are assigned to the correct academic advisor for their majors and have the correct degree plan

· Provide appropriate student intervention action

· Develop appropriate academic plans for student as deemed necessary

· Collaborate with other Student Success and Engagement offices to enhance the student experience

· Provide counseling for academically at-risk student and refer them to the counselor if necessary

· Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Ability to design programming that will cultivate a strong sense of community for a rapidly diversifying student body.

· Have a strong understanding of high impact practices and intrusive advising,

· Have a strong understanding of the relationship between the academic affairs and student engagement.

· Familiarity with utilizing emerging technologies, software, and applications to promote and enrich student success and engagement

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Masters Degree in Higher Education or related fiend from an accredited institution

· 3-5 Years of related work experience

· Sufficient level of computer skill proficiency

· Exceptional organizational, coaching/counseling and influencing skills with young adults

· Flexibility, skills and ability to manage and thrive in an environment with ample workloads, changing priorities, and timely deadlines

· Demonstrated leadership skills, record keeping, student data collection, and data analysis

· Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Moodle or an equivalent LMS

· Excellent written and verbal skills