Details
Posted: 07-Feb-23
Location: Bemidji, Minnesota
Salary: Open
Location: Student Success Center on the Bemidji State University Campus
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Employment Condition: Probationary
Job Description:
BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY (BSU) and NORTHWEST TECHNICAL COLLEGE (NTC) invite applicants to join our team as the inaugural Executive Director, Student Success Center. BSU and NTC are members of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and employ more than 600 faculty and staff.
BSU's vision is to educate people to lead inspired lives. To accomplish BSU's vision, the University prioritizes creating a culture in which diversity is embraced and all people are safe, welcome, and validated.
BSU also prioritizes increasing engagement with Indigenous communities to become a destination university.
BSU enrolls around 5,000 students and offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU's
Shared Fundamental Values include civic engagement and leadership, international and multicultural understanding, belief in the power of the liberal arts, and environmental stewardship. Centered between the three largest Tribal nations in Minnesota – Leech Lake, Red Lake, and White Earth –
BSU also prioritizes increasing engagement with American Indian communities to become a destination university.
NTC has prepared students for fulfilling careers in high-demand fields for more than 50 years. The college's accessible, affordable, hands-on programs also help the region's employers meet their ever-growing need for a highly skilled workforce. NTC serves more than 1,000 students with an excellent education, an open-enrollment policy and affordable tuition. Students may pursue nearly 40 degree, diploma and certificate programs in six distinct career paths. Classes are offered on campus, online, or as a combination of both.
Reporting directly to the Vice President for Student Life and Success, the inaugural Executive Director, Student Success Center provides strategic, equity-minded leadership and day-to-day oversight of the Bemidji State University (BSU) Student Success Center including the design, implementation, direction, and assessment of the university's general (non-discipline specific) and transfer advising system; implementation and operation of the university's early-alert student success platform (EAB Navigate); career coaching, counseling, and readiness for both BSU and NTC students; proactive and personalized outreach intervention for holistic and equitable student success; accessibility and accommodation services for both BSU and NTC students; onboarding and career planning programs (including New Student Registration, Major and Career Expo); and providing resources and training support for BSU faculty, academic staff, and student affairs educators.
The Executive Director works in cooperation and close partnership with colleagues in Academic Affairs, Admissions, American Indian Resource Center, Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Center for Extended Learning, International Programs Center, Records and Registration, Veterans Support Services, and other Student Life and Success departments to promote and support holistic student learning and success that is grounded in diversity, equity, and inclusion and centered in student belonging and well-being.
The Executive Director will have delegated authority to enact programs and services – as well as to help systematically revise policies, structures, and systems – to promote greater student retention, academic progress, and successful first-destination graduate outcomes (i.e., outcomes for graduates at all degree levels seeking employment, additional education, entrance into the military or other service within six months of graduation). The Executive Director will also perform various duties outside of the Student Success Center that support the mission of the university and contribute to a culture of equity-centered, individualized approaches to student support services and college and career readiness.
Responsibilities of the Executive Director, Student Success Center include:
Leadership and Oversight. (20%)
- Leading, overseeing, implementing, assessing and evaluating all operations, services, programs, and activities of the Student Success Center including but not limited to general academic advising and coaching, accessibility and accommodation services, career coaching/counseling/readiness, mentorship programs, new student registration, outreach and intervention for student success, strengths training, tutoring/testing services, and support and training for faculty advisors and academic staff.
- Demonstrating self-awareness of one's own cultural beliefs, perspectives, and privileges as a part of one's orientation toward leadership.
- Acknowledging the specific and particular realities of Indigenous, Black, and other communities of color, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, and other minoritized communities within Northern Minnesota while also connecting communities to local and regional experiences to foster a greater sense of belonging.
- While honoring and lifting up the unique experiences of various minoritized groups, generating mutual solidarity among historically underrepresented populations including but not limited to various racial/ethnic groups and Tribal affiliations, first-generation college students, students from rural communities, students from low-income families, 2SLGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities, and religious minorities.
- Maintaining a bias toward making decisions that are informed by research, data, and theory and that leverage students' unique cultures, experiences, and backgrounds as strengths.
- Exhibiting a philosophical approach grounded in the belief that all students can learn and succeed.
- Building a culture of collaboration and teamwork among Student Success Center staff as well as between these individuals, faculty, and other student affairs educators throughout the university.
- Serving in a leadership capacity working with faculty advisors, student affairs educators, and enrollment management professionals to ground educational practices related to equity and inclusion in developmental theory and evidenced-based best practices in higher education – specifically related to academic advising, accessibility services, career services, coaching, retention strategies, student learning, and familiarization with adult and online learners.
- Serving as a retention, first-destination graduate outcome, and student success expert for the university.
- Along with Student Success Center directors, ensuring BSU and NTC compliance with legal and ethical employment standards, FERPA, ADA, Section 504, and other related state and federal laws and regulations.
Student Success Initiatives. (17%)
- Developing, implementing, and assessing a comprehensive student retention, first-destination graduate outcome, and success plan to include strategies and interventions informed by theory, inclusive and equitable practices, and data-informed practices that enhance student retention, graduation, and graduate outcomes.
- Facilitating the development of a culture that recognizes, affirms, and helps students draw upon cultural, communal, and identity-based ways of knowing, being, and doing to achieve educational outcomes.
- Working collaboratively with BSU and NTC colleagues to promote and support holistic and equitable student learning and success.
- Designing, implementing, assessing, and continuously improve a student success team that promotes student progress, retention, and graduate outcomes.
- Leading student success projects and initiatives as assigned – including the implementation, operation, and oversight of the university's early-alert student success platform (EAB Navigate) which is used for student outreach and intervention including but not limited to alerts, holds, warnings, progress report campaigns, and other indicators, training and support for faculty and staff, and ensure that data on general academic advising and student success are collected, maintained, and disseminated for data-informed decision making.
- Working with faculty, serving as the point person for First-Year Experience (FYE) seminars and College to Career courses, collecting and monitoring assessment data, and promoting continuous improvement efforts for the courses.
- For a select number of FYE-related programs, providing leadership for the planning, implementing, and evaluating co-curricular programs that promote academic achievement, career exploration, and a sense of belonging for all students.
- Representing the university on first-generation college student initiatives including the successful enrollment into the NASPA Center for First-Generation Student Success's First Scholars initiative.
Career, Strengths, and Talent Development. (15%)
- Creating and utilizing a network of relationships with faculty, student affairs educators, alumni, and employers to effectively deliver career readiness, career development, and talent acquisition services.
- Providing visionary leadership for Career Services at BSU and NTC including major selection, career readiness, career events/fairs, and job and internship assistance.
- Overseeing mandated Annual Graduate Follow-up Study for BSU and NTC and sharing data with administration, faculty, higher learning commission, and program review committees.
- Using data to create Career Outlooks – a reference guide by each academic major program that identifies projected demand by field, employment areas/career clusters, placement rates, and partial lists of employers and graduate schools who have hired or admitted BSU graduates.
- Implementing fair and equitable hiring policies and procedures for students.
- Leading a 16+ member Career Advisory Board, consisting of faculty and staff from departments across campus.
Equitable Access for Students with Disabilities. (15%)
- Creating and utilizing a network of relationships with faculty, student affairs educators, community agencies, and system office colleagues to effectively deliver equitable access for students with disabilities.
- In partnership with the Associate Director of Accessibility Services, helping interpret and applying state and federal legal mandates such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
- Facilitating the development of a culture that moves beyond compliance and commitment to creating and sustaining an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces universal design as a framework for inclusive teaching and learning, facilities, and technology.
Holistic Advising and Success Coaching. (15%)
- Creating and utilizing a network of relationships with faculty and student affairs educators to effectively deliver general advising and support services.
- Providing strategic leadership and managing high-level execution in work designed for holistic and equitable student success, retention, and the student experience in the first year, including support for non-traditional learners and online course delivery.
- Ensuring that students are supported through detailed degree planning using technology and interpretation of data to communicate accurate information about, and to, students.
- Developing and administering all aspects of the university general advising system for undeclared majors, including providing innovative training and assistance to faculty advisors to ensure a consistent advising experience by all students, developing advising toolkits and resources for faculty advisors, assigning undeclared students to advisors, and providing resources (e.g., major selection, job search assistance) and advice for undeclared students.
- Overseeing mentoring programs (e.g., Beaver Success Coach program, SUCCESS program).
Financial and Human Resource Management. (13%)
- Managing a modest programming budget, supervising pre-professional staff (student employees), and supporting university efforts to pursue and secure external funding for programs.
- Overseeing budget and fiscal management for the Student Success Center, including establishing financial goals, monitoring and adjusting budget to ensure it is both met and sustainable in the short- and long-term.
- Recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and directing staff work and attending to their professional development.
- Directly and indirectly supervising personnel working within the Student Success Center.
- Facilitating the development of a Student Success Center space that welcomes all students, faculty, and student affairs educators who are interested in centering the voices and experiences of students from communities that have been historically excluded, underrepresented, or not well-served within higher education.
Budget. (5%)
- Assisting with planning, facilitating, and assessing anti-racism, equity, and inclusion professional development experiences on campus.
- Contributing to assessment, accreditation, and other continuous improvement processes.
- Systematically revising policies, structures, and systems to promote greater student retention, placement, and success.
- Actively participating in department, division, and university programs (e.g., new student registration and orientation events, academic/career exploration and job/internship fairs).
- Serving on various university, system, and community committees and working groups as appropriate.
- Performing other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
Minimum qualifications for this position include:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Minimum five (5) years full-time professional work experience in academic support and advising, accessibility services, career services, student affairs, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural humility and fluency, and achievement in working with diverse student populations.
- Strong communication, administrative, presentation, and organizational skills.
- An ability to work collaboratively with faculty, student affairs educators, and students.
- An ability to navigate shared governance environments and productively work with bargaining units and student governance.
Preferred Qualifications:
Preferred qualifications include:
- Master's or, ideally, Doctoral degree in higher education/student affairs administration, counseling, or a closely related field with knowledge of student development and learning theories.
- Five or more (5+) years of proven progressive management, supervision, and equity-minded leadership experience at director level in academic support and advising, accessibility services, career services, student affairs, or a closely related field within a higher education setting.
- Knowledge of and appreciation for the mission of regional public universities, and familiarity with public two-year technical and community colleges.
- Direct experience with providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive support, coaching, and advising.
- Proven track record of creating and sustaining programs that increase outcomes and close or eliminate educational equity gaps for historically marginalized and underserved students.
- Professional experience working in a one-stop or similar multi-functional student success center.
- In-depth knowledge of the EAB Navigate student success platform and student information systems (i.e., Workday Student).
- Proficiency in data analysis related to retention, placement, and student success.
- Active involvement in national/international professional associations in student affairs, academic advising, accessibility/disability services, career development, or a closely related field.
- Capacity to effectively interact and partner with various internal and external constituencies.
To facilitate the review, assessment, and evaluation process, please ensure that your application and/or resume clearly demonstrate fulfillment of these required and preferred qualifications.
Other Requirements:
Working Conditions:
- Occasional weekend/evening assignments may be required including but not limited to overnight travel for meetings, professional development opportunities, and system meetings.
Other considerations:
- All applicants must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States at the time of an offer of employment.
- Employment for this position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement for the Minnesota State University Association of Administrative and Service Faculty (MSUAASF) – see agreement.
- In accordance with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MinnState) Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, faculty and staff driving on college/university business, who use a rental or state vehicle, shall be required to complete a vehicle Use Agreement form and conform to MinnState's vehicle use criteria and consent to a motor vehicle records check.
- BSU is a tobacco free workplace (see policy).
A complete application will include the following attachments:
- Cover letter, which addresses the required qualifications and your specific interest in working at BSU.
- Resume / Curriculum Vitae.
Inquiries about the position:
Travis Greene, Vice President for Student Life and Success
Phone: (218) 755-2075
About:
UNIVERSITY / COMMUNITY
WHY BEMIDJI:
The greater Bemidji community has a population of 25,000 and serves as a regional center for education, commerce, recreation, health care and the arts.
Located between three American Indian reservations – Leech Lake, Red Lake, and White Earth – students at Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College have the opportunity to experience a dynamic local culture and history. Bemidji also sits at the center of the legends of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. The famous statues of Paul and Babe greet students as they drive in from the south along Lake Bemidji.
Though quaint and historic, the city offers the urban conveniences upon which college students rely. Bemidji State and Northwest Tech are both conveniently located minutes away from affordable restaurants, cozy coffee shops, grocery stores, city parks and more. Small, locally owned shops and art sculptures line the streets of downtown Bemidji, while national chains can be found in and around the Bemidji area, including an uptown selection of department stores and restaurants.
The thriving downtown community presents ample opportunities for engagement off-campus. Among other things, there are fine-dining restaurants, cafes, and a natural foods co-op in downtown Bemidji. The historic Paul Bunyan Playhouse has a calendar of classic shows; restaurants and lounges offer weekly live music performances; the First Friday Art Walk provides a tour of new monthly art exhibits; and annual events such as the Loop the Lake Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Blue Ox Marathon, Bemidji Winterfest, and The Minnesota Finlandia bring the community together.
For those who love the outdoors, there are wooded, multi-use trail systems within minutes of campus and community parks with walking trails, playgrounds and a skate park. Lake Bemidji State Park and its miles of navigable trails is located directly across the lake from BSU, and the Buena Vista Ski Area — just 12 miles north of campus — offers downhill skiing and BSU-sponsored student transportation in the winter months. Further, the Mississippi River Headwaters is a mere 45 minutes from Bemidji.
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About Bemidji State University
Bemidji State University is the place to be...bold, real, innovative, creative, global, aware, successful, and so much more! Through our signature themes, BSU and its nearly 5,000 students are committed to environmental stewardship, community service, and global understanding. You'll see that commitment in what we teach and in what we do. Located on the western shore of Lake Bemidji, our north woods campus environment reminds us daily of the need to be in tune with our world. Similarly, the American Indian culture of our region beckons us to begin our global journey by understanding our past as we prepare for the future. See for yourself by visiting us soon.
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