Director, Student Enrichment Center

Summary

Position Title

Director, Student Enrichment Center

Department

Student Affairs

Position Reports to (Position Title)

Executive Director, Student Enrichment & Development

Effective Date

July 1, 2023

Status

Full Time/Exempt

Job Summary

The Student Enrichment Center is designed to be a space on campus where students can find connection, support, and resources that allow them to thrive as a member of the Jacksonville University Community. A thriving student is a student who is experiencing personal growth and resiliency as they persist in their college experience.

The Director of the Student Enrichment Center will lead a team focused on academic persistence, bolstering retention rates, and degree completion. The Center will include coaching, advocacy, and academic enrichment services with the development of time management, study skills, and general success strategies creating space for students to thrive.

The Director will be a champion of student enrichment at the university. This encompasses leading the university’s efforts with coaching of first-year students and providing on-going support opportunities for returning students.

The ideal Director will create a Center encouraging engagement with all students to foster exceptional classroom performances and deeper out-of-class preparation. You will be successful in this role if you are energized by people interaction, problem-solving, student success and advocacy, team development and training, and building cross-campus relationships. The Student Enrichment Center is supported by the Division of Student Affairs.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervise Thrive Coaches:

• Interview, hire, train, and onboard new staff
• Evaluate performance and provide timely feedback
• Provide direction to Thrive Coaches on proactive and reactive student support strategies

Duties/Responsibilities

• Launch the Student Enrichment Center to provide consistent, high-quality and appropriate mentoring, nurturing and coaching to ensure students’ academic and personal success
• Operationalize the vision for this new student support service including developing budgets, identifying technology needs, determining staffing structure, and services offered
• Provide leadership in the development of programs, department policies and strategies to address holistic student wellness concerns related to academic, financial or interpersonal needs
• Prioritize creating collaborative relationships with campus partners for student support and advocacy
• Actively engage with students to understand factors that affect the student experience,
  including retention, satisfaction, engagement, graduation, belonging and more
• Develop short and long term goals of the Center
• Develop expertise and knowledge of student success topics and barriers that are timely and critical (e.g., student mental health, food insecurity and basic needs, skill gaps, campus engagement, academic preparedness, belonging)
• Develop expertise and knowledge of the needs and experiences of underserved and underrepresented student populations (e.g., first generation, transfer, veterans, racial/ethnic minorities) and explore innovative strategies and best practices to enhance their experience
• Analyze and synthesize available data to track on retention metrics
• Work closely with Thrive Coaches to assess and strategically improve the Dolphin student experience and the services of the Center
• Develop and deliver presentations for campus partners, students, and families on the services of the Center
• Serves as a program facilitator and Thrive Coach, as needed
• Serve as a member of the JU Care Team for Students of Concern

Required Skills/Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal skills and a high level of dedication to providing excellent customer service
• High level of comfort with frequent student contact
• Ability to successfully develop relationships and partnerships across campus
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Computer proficiency required, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Outlook, and database management
• Ability to work with diverse student populations in a safe and welcoming environment
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive material and information

Education, Certificates, Licenses, & Experience

• Master’s degree in higher education/student affairs or related field from a regionally accredited college or university
• 3 - 5 years of progressive experience working at a higher education institution

Physical Requirements

• Manual dexterity to efficiently operate a computer keyboard and other business machines
• Adequate hearing to communicate effectively in person and by phone

Important Note

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required for this position. The University reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.

To Apply

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your resume to Jenny Boyer at jboyer1@ju.edu.