Director of Studies

Overview

Job Title:

Director of First Year Studies

Location:

UNG - Gainesville

Regular/Temporary:
Regular

Full/Part Time:
Full-Time

Job

About Us:

Located in the fastest-growing region of the state, the University of North Georgia is a multi-campus university with an enrollment of over 20,000 students. UNG focuses on educational excellence, leadership development and community engagement opportunities that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. Federally designated as a senior military college, UNG features an 800-member Corps of Cadets on the Dahlonega Campus.

Job Summary:

The University of North Georgia is accepting applications for a Director of First Year Studies. The Director provides strategic leadership for First-Year Seminar courses and related initiatives, including curriculum development and instructor recruitment. The role collaborates with faculty, staff, and campus partners to foster an engaging environment for first-year students and ensures a coordinated approach across all campuses. In partnership with Student Engagement and Success, this role aligns curricular strategies to strengthen retention and support student transition, engagement, and persistence during the first year.

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) and serves as a mandatory reporter for all Clery Act crimes.

Visa policy note:
Any offer of employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States. The university cannot guarantee payment of newly imposed or increased visa-related fees due to budget and policy constraints. Questions regarding visa policy should be directed to Monica Arrendale at .

• Provide strategic leadership and oversee the creation, assessment, and revision of the curriculum for the First Year Experience Course(s) and align the course(s) with the institution’s mission and student success priorities. Oversee the development, design and implementation of innovative curriculum to support academic student engagement, performance, and retention. Oversee faculty and staff development programming for new and experienced instructors. Oversee course scheduling and ensure effective coordination of sections.
  
  Recruit, hire, evaluate and retain qualified instructors to teach UNG 1101.
• Contribute to retention and graduation rates by collaboratively developing programs and initiatives with Student Engagement and Success that help students transition to higher education and persist to graduation.
• Oversee relevant assessment activities related to the first-year experience, including coordinating with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness in support of accreditation requirements, conducting end-of-semester and end-of-year student surveys, and managing the assessment of the first-year seminars. Prepare reports and data analysis to inform course revisions and institutional decisions.
• Establish and co-chair a First Year Experience Council to guide and coordinate efforts, assessment methods, and best practice approaches to FYE at UNG.
• Coordinate with directors/department chairs/associate deans/deans/supervisors to staff according to enrollment needs.
• Teach a minimum of one course each semester.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Knowledgeable about best practices for first-year students.
• Knowledgeable about and experienced with conducting assessments, analyzing data, and communicating results.
• Excellent organizational, teamwork, and communication skills.

• Doctorate
• Minimum of five years of experience in academic success or student success.
• Minimum of three years of leadership experience in Academic Affairs.
• Experience or demonstrated potential in designing, implementing and evaluating programs and/or curriculum.
• Experience with Learning Management System.
• Credentials required for tenure-track eligibility or appointment as a tenured associate or full professor in a department/college at the University of North Georgia.

• Prior experience teaching and/or advising first-year students is preferred.
• Experience with budget management is preferred.

• Resume/Curriculum…