"Assistant Director, STEM Success - 261090"

Department:

Office of Student Retention

About WCU:

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary:

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).
This position is funded through a federal TRIO student support services grant. Continued employment is contingent upon renewal of grant funding.
The Office of Student Retention fosters student success through educationally purposeful, data-informed strategies that enhance retention and persistence to graduation. We provide holistic support, remove barriers, and collaborate with campus and community partners to drive positive change.
The Assistant Director of the STEM Success Program contributes to the academic and operational components of the program, which is designed to support the retention and graduation of students who are first-generation, low-income, and/or have a disability majoring in STEM fields.
The Assistant Director contributes to the development, implementation, and evaluation of student services and interventions designed to promote student persistence and success. The position plays a critical role in supporting program assessment, compliance, and daily operations, and serves as a liaison between students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.
The Assistant Director role is highly collaborative, and the selected candidate must be able to collaborate with faculty and staff in the academic colleges, student affairs, academic support units, and athletics, as well as with public relations to strengthen students ties to the institution and promote academic success and persistence at the university. An institutional perspective, excellent communication and consensus-building skills, as well as an ability to interpret significant student data and generate appropriate action plans resulting from data collection are essential.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be legally eligible to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship.
• Masters degree in Higher Education, College Student Personnel, teaching, counseling, or related field is required.
• 1-3 years experience in supporting students, including student advising, coaching, or student support services.
• Demonstrated experience supporting broad student populations and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• STEM Student Support: prior experience in supporting STEM students through intentional initiatives aimed at enhancing student success
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, as demonstrated by feedback from colleagues or stakeholders, and the ability to manage multiple projects effectively, with examples of successful project management.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Evidence of creative and data-driven problem-solving abilities, including specific instances where innovative solutions were implemented based on data analysis.
• Program Assessment and Evaluation: Exposure to conducting program assessments and evaluations, with documented examples of continuous improvement initiatives based on findings.
• Commitment to Student Success: Clear commitment to student success, demonstrated through participation in initiatives, programs, or activities aimed at improving student outcomes, with measurable results.
• Experience implementing academic initiatives and interventions for STEM students

Position Type:

Time-Limited Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:

To be considered, you must apply online. Please include a cover letter, resume, and a list of professional references to complete the application process. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.
This position is funded through a federal TRIO student support services grant. Continued employment is contingent upon renewal of grant funding.
For questions or additional information, please contact Thomas Newkirk at tnewkirk@email.wcu.edu