Director of Student Success

Location: Atlanta

Oglethorpe University seeks a dynamic and experienced leader to serve as the next Director of Student Success. The Director provides strategic leadership and oversight for programs, services, and initiatives that support undergraduate student achievement, retention, persistence, and graduation. The Director leads a Students Success team rooted in strong, welcoming relationships, effective developmental advising, a deep understanding of Oglethorpe's curriculum, and learning-oriented structures that guide students successfully through their education and beyond, empowering them to "Make a Life.

Make a Living. Make a Difference."

The Director reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and will oversee staffing for this mission-critical unit.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Office of Student Success, including academic advising, accessibility services, tutoring, supplemental instruction, and related student support services.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and implement strategic goals and initiatives that enhance retention, persistence, and graduation outcomes across the institution.
• Use data, retention metrics, and evidence-based practices to inform decision making, improve services, and report on student success measures.
• Supervise Student Success advisors who support skillful, empathetic, and responsive engagement with students designed to promote agency and self-efficacy.
• Oversee Assistant Director of Accessibility Services, whose portfolio includes accommodations processes, utilization of appropriate technological tools, and advising and education programs that demonstrate OU's commitment to educational opportunity in compliance with all applicable laws and policies.
• Develop and manage learning support activities on campus, including supplemental instruction, tutoring, and academic skills, in partnership with appropriate faculty and academic units.
• Provide academic case management support for students on academic warning and academic probation.
• Coordinate use and training of academic case management software to constituents across campus.
• Teach academic skills and learning strategies courses as needed.
• Manage budget in alignment with strategic enrollment priorities, including collaboration on grants and other potential external funding sources.
• Lead implementation of a campus-wide early alert system to ensure timely intervention for students.
• Collaborate with the Provost's administrative team to ensure student satisfaction with registration processes and review academic policies to ensure equitable and consistent standards.
• Coordinate with the faculty mentorship program to ensure an integrated network of support for all Oglethorpe students.
• In partnership with faculty, identify and resolve barriers to student success and generate innovative programs and support structures.
• Work with Admission/Financial Aid, and Student Affairs to build strong student connections through orientation and other student advising and engagement structures.

Other Duties

• Serve on the Student Support Intervention team (PACT), providing sustained leadership on divisional priorities such as retention, persistence, and student satisfaction.
• Participate in major Academic Affairs and University events such as Orientation and Commencement.
• Participate in institutional accreditation processes as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications and Required Skills:

• Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Education, Counseling, Student Personnel Services, Psychology, or a closely-related field. Experienced faculty with doctorate in other disciplines will also be considered.
• Significant experience in academic advising, student affairs, or student success roles in higher education.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience, including program development and assessment.
• Strong understanding of retention strategies, student development theory, and equity-minded practices.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence and achievement in cultivating a sense of belonging.
• Excellent interpersonal, intercultural, communication, and collaborative skills.
• Understanding of current issues facing students with accommodations and advising.
• Proven record of accomplishment in building partnerships with faculty and other campus departments.
• Problem solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Effective organizational, supervisory, budget, and time-management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration, Education, Counseling, Student Personnel Services, Psychology, or a closely-related field.
• Familiarity with student information systems and technology platforms related to student success.
• Experience working within a liberal arts university setting or similar environment.
• Experience managing compliance with FERPA, HIPPA, ADA, and state and federal regulations.
• Use of NACADA best practices/strategies in advising.

Work Environment:

Normal use of office equipment, sitting at a desk, walking or…