"Associate Director, Student Support Services"

Job Summary

This grant-funded position is responsible for the development and implementation of holistic student support services that are outcome-driven and primarily focused on retention, degree completion, and/or workforce readiness. The Associate Director manages daily operations and a federal database system for annual federal reporting. This position provides proactive academic, personal, and financial coaching and mentoring to first-generation, under-resourced, and students with disabilities to achieve all federally mandated objectives that include good academic standing, persistence, and graduation. Utilizing quantitative and qualitative data, the Associate Director makes appropriate recommendations for the continual improvement of program services. They work within the Office of Mentorship and Student Engagement and in close partnership with the Academic Success Center to advance student persistence, progression, and degree completion.

Responsibilities

The duties include, but are not limited to:

• PROGRAM COMPLIANCE AND RECORDKEEPING: Assure compliance with all regulations in EDGAR, GPRA, GEPA, FLSA, and FERPA. Maintain student and program records and ensure all student eligibility guidelines are met. Monitor the academic progress and social development of program participants. Complete monthly reports as well as other evaluation reports as required. Ensure alignment with approved grant objectives and performance standards. Monitor budget preparation and ensure proper fiscal management.
• PROGRAM PROMOTION AND PARTICIPANT RECRUITMENT: Recruit and yield student participants based on Student Support Services (SSS) guidelines. Identify and select student participants and verify participant eligibility. Market, publicize, and coordinate program services to students, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders. Write and develop program communications for program websites, newsletters, press releases, and social media accounts.
• SUPERVISION: Hire, train, supervise, and support a full-time SSS Coordinator as well as student tutors, establishing clear performance expectations and scheduling coverage to ensure tutoring services meet program goals for academic improvement and persistence. Conduct ongoing professional development, mentoring, and skill-building sessions for tutoring and coaching staff to strengthen academic support strategies, case management, and student engagement techniques. Develop and maintain training materials, operating procedures, and resource guides to standardize staff expectations, workflows, and service delivery across the Student Support Services team.
• UNIVERSITY RELATIONSHIPS: Facilitate cross-campus collaboration with the Academic Success Center and other departments to align tutoring assignments, referral processes, and academic intervention models. Work with Enrollment Management units to facilitate program promotion and award grant aid to students. Serve on institutional committees that provide opportunities for coordination of services with SSS. Act as an advocate and liaison between SSS participants and college departments, faculty, and community resources.
• SPECIAL PROJECTS: Participate in professional development and perform all duties required for the successful implementation and operation of the project. Contribute to special projects that strengthen the SSS program and academic success efforts across the Office of Mentorship and Student Engagement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in counseling, education, human services, or a related field, and two years of related work experience OR Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in counseling, education, human services, or a related field and three years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with SSS programs or similar projects. Experience writing, assessing, or reporting on federally funded programs. Familiarity or experience with grant program compliance and records maintenance. Demonstrated leadership on a project or program designed to increase student retention, graduation, or academic achievement. Budgeting experience and resource allocation.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

KNOWLEDGE
Understanding of student belonging and how to communicate and action AU values.
Knowledge of financial aid terminology; Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filing requirements; types of federal student loans and loan rehabilitation.
Knowledge of college access and educational advising issues for underrepresented populations in higher education (i.e., admissions, securing scholarships, college majors, and course selections and experience working with individuals to promote financial and economic literacy).
Knowledge of college access and educational advising concerns and barriers for underrepresented populations in higher education.
Demonstrated knowledge of student development, educational advising, college transition, learning styles strategies, and the impact of culture on learning.
Working knowledge of student management database systems, data collection, analysis, and report writing.

SKILLS
Demonstrated project management skills.
Demonstrated experience working successfully with a team.
Demonstrated adherence to a professional code of ethics.
Demonstrated exceptional interpersonal counseling, communication, organization, and facilitation skills.
Experience developing and implementing academic support services to at-risk populations.
Experience designing, managing, and implementing programs.
Must have excellent communication skills.

ABILITIES
Ability to respond to sensitive inquiries relating to holistic student success and financial need.
Demonstrated ability to use and apply documentation instruments and technology to track students.
Ability to identify and select students and to review, analyze, and evaluate program applications.
Ability to establish rapport with college students from various backgrounds.
Ability to manage multiple projects, self-prioritize, meet deadlines, and remain flexible to shifting priorities.
Commitment to the development of a student-centered residential campus environment.

Shift/Salary/Benefits

Shift: Days; M-F (Work outside of the standard business hours may be required)
*This is a grant funded position*
Pay Band: B11
Salary: $56,600/annually-$62,200/annually
Salary to be commensurate with qualifications of the selected candidate within the established range (generally minimum-midpoint) of the position
Recruitment Period: Until Filled

Augusta University offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees.

Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays.

Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program.