Manager of Initiatives

Overview

Working Title:

Manager of First Year Initiatives. Role Type: 12 month Administrative Faculty.

Location:

Richmond, VA. This position is full time and exempt. The Manager of First Year Initiatives is responsible for developing, coordinating, and assessing programs and initiatives that support new student success, engagement, and retention at Reynolds Community College. This role oversees the College Success (SDV) course and New Student Orientation (NSO), ensuring that each initiative contributes to a seamless and supportive transition to college.

The manager is responsible for hiring and supervising SDV faculty and student leaders in collaboration with departments across the college to enhance the Flight Path for Student Success — the college’s holistic framework for supporting the student experience from entry to completion. Reynolds is committed to hiring and retaining a racially diverse, culturally competent staff that reflects the demographics of our students.

Reynolds expects ongoing investment in faculty and staff to deepen skills and competencies to serve the full range of our student population.

The Flight Path for Student Success is Reynolds Community College’s comprehensive approach to enhancing the student experience—connecting academic, personal, and professional support from enrollment to graduation. The Manager of First Year Initiatives plays a key role in bringing this vision to life by ensuring that every new student has the tools, confidence, and connections to thrive at Reynolds.

• Coordinate, teach and manage the SDV course, including curriculum review, faculty coordination, assessment, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee faculty recruitment, hiring, onboarding, supervision, and evaluation for SDV instructors.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate New Student Orientation programs (in-person and virtual) that foster belonging, academic preparedness, and engagement.
• Ensure that all first-year initiatives align with institutional goals for student success, persistence, and retention.
• Coordinate strategy, content, updates, and performance of the website chatbot knowledge base, collaborating with internal teams to ensure accuracy, functionality, and alignment with institutional priorities.

• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise student leaders and peer mentors who support first year initiatives, including SDV courses and orientation events.
• Provide ongoing leadership development, performance feedback, and recognition for student staff.

• Collaborate with Admissions, Academic Affairs, Academic Advising and Transfer Services, Career Connect, Student Engagement, and other campus partners to strengthen the Flight Path for Student Success, promoting a coordinated approach to student engagement and retention.
• Support the design and implementation of programs and communication strategies that help students connect with resources, build community, and develop a sense of belonging.
• Identify opportunities to improve the first-year experience through data analysis, student feedback, and best practices in higher education.
• Advise an identified cohort of students using a case management model.

• Collect and analyze data on student participation, learning outcomes, and satisfaction to inform continuous improvement of first year initiatives.
• Prepare reports and recommendations to support institutional planning and accreditation requirements.

• Serve on college committees related to student success, engagement, and retention.
• Represent Reynolds at statewide or regional meetings related to orientation, student transition, and first-year programming.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission of the Division of Student Affairs and the college.

The Flight Path for Student Success is Reynolds Community College’s comprehensive approach to enhancing the student experience—connecting academic, personal, and professional support from enrollment to graduation. The Manager of First Year Initiatives plays a key role in…