Director of Academic Cohorts

Job Details

Position Code: 7872

DEPARTMENT/ADMINISTRATION: College of Arts and Sciences

POSITION: Administrative, Exempt (12 months), Full-time (40 Hours)

SALARY RANGE: $75,000 - $80,000

HIRING RANGE: Anticipated hiring range is near or at the minimum of the classification, commensurate with candidate's education, experience, skills, and training.

INTRODUCTORY PERIOD: Twelve (12) Months

AVAILABLE: Immediately

POSTING DATE: June 11, 2026

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open Until Filled, Apply Immediately.

Definition of Classification:

The Director of Academic Cohorts provides strategic leadership, coordination, and assessment of cohort-based academic programs designed to enhance student learning, belonging, retention, and persistence to graduation. The Director oversees cohort initiatives across disciplines, with particular responsibility for STEM-focused retention cohorts. The Director also promotes the goals of Core Four by serving as a primary Pre-Health liaison supporting students pursuing careers in medicine and other health professions as well as supporting the experiential learning opportunities for cohorts such as the Global Insight Fellows and Hunsaker Scholars.

This position collaborates closely with faculty, academic departments, advising, student success units, and institutional leadership to align cohort programming with institutional mission, equity commitments, and student success goals. The Director plays a critical role in advancing retention, degree completion, and experiential learning opportunities for students, particularly in STEM and pre-health pathways.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Develop and articulate a strategic vision for cohort-based academic programming that supports student success, with emphasis on STEM retention and pre-health advising.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve academic cohorts, including first-year cohorts, bridge programs, themed learning communities, and discipline-specific retention initiatives.
• Establish policies, guidelines, and best practices for cohort structure, academic integration, and student support.
• Align cohort programming with institutional goals related to retention, graduation rates, equity, and inclusive excellence.

Oversight of STEM Retention Cohorts

• Provide direct leadership and oversight of the RESOLUTE STEM-focused academic cohort dedicated to improving retention, persistence, and academic performance.
• Collaborate with the CAS Dean’s office and STEM faculty to integrate evidence-based teaching practices, mentoring, and undergraduate research opportunities into cohort programming.
• Monitor academic progress of the RESOLUTE cohort participants and coordinate early intervention strategies when needed.
• Develop programming that strengthens academic identity, peer mentoring, and preparation for graduate study or health professions careers.
• Analyze retention, GPA, course completion, and progression data for STEM cohort participants and report findings to institutional leadership.

Pre-Health Advising

• Remain abreast of all health graduate program entrance requirements and best practices for pre-health advising.
• Communicate with and update the Office of Career and Professional Development (OCPD) and pre-health advisors on requirements, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Maintain the current list of pre-health students and advisors and update this list every fall.
• Run the pre-health new student orientation and periodic group advising sessions.
• Serve as the pre-health contact person for prospective families as well as other units on campus.
• Coordinate pre-health workshops, application preparation programs, and informational sessions.
• Establish and maintain relationships with health professions programs and external partners.
• Track and assess outcomes related to pre-health applicant success and placement rates.
• Provide resources and support for faculty advising pre-health students.

Other Academic Cohort Student Engagement and Success

• Develop and oversee additional cohort programs designed to support the academic transition, persistence, and sense of belonging for participating students.
• Collaborate with admissions, academic advising, and academic departments to create clear pathways for students entering cohort programs.
• Facilitate programming that helps students build academic networks, connect with faculty mentors, and engage in research or high-impact learning experiences.
• Track student cohort outcomes related to retention, persistence, and graduation.

Cohort-Based Experiential Learning Oversight

• Provide strategic leadership for the development and implementation of cohort-based Core Four experiential learning experiences, particularly for STEM and pre-health cohorts as well as Global Insight Fellows and Hunsaker Scholars.
• Integrate experiential learning into cohort models to reinforce academic concepts, build professional competencies, and support post-graduate pathways.
• Help to develop partnerships with healthcare providers, research institutions, industry, and community organizations to support pre-health and STEM student experiences.
• Oversee the coordination, tracking, and assessment of cohort participants’ experiential learning activities.

Faculty & Staff Collaboration

• Recruit, support, and collaborate with faculty teaching within cohort models.
• Provide professional development related to best practices for cohort mentoring.
• Partner with Student Success Center, Office of Career and Professional Development, and other relevant offices to create integrated academic and co-curricular support systems.

Assessment & Continuous Improvement

• Develop assessment frameworks to measure effectiveness of academic cohorts, including outcomes for RESOLUTE and pre-health students.
• Collect, analyze, and report student success metrics including retention, persistence, GPA, graduation rates, and post-graduate placement.
• Use data-informed approaches to refine programming and address equity gaps in STEM participation and completion.

Equity & Student Success

• Design cohort models that promote belonging, mentorship, and inclusive academic environments.
• Support historically underrepresented, first-generation, and transfer students through targeted cohort initiatives.
• Foster structured peer mentoring and faculty engagement to strengthen persistence and academic success.

Budget & Resource Management

• Develop and manage budgets related to cohort and pre-health programming.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to seek external funding or grants to support STEM retention initiatives, and health professions preparation programs when appropriate.
• Ensure responsible allocation of staffing and program resources.

Qualification Guidelines

Experience/Training/Education:

• Master’s degree
• Experience working in a higher education setting is preferred.
• A valid California Class C CA drivers’ license with a good driving record is required. Note: Out-of-state licenses are valid until appointment. A valid California Class “C” driver’s license must be obtained within ten (10) days of appointment (in accordance with CA Vehicle Code 12505c).
• This position requires flexibility to work evening and weekend hours as well as the ability to travel, as required.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, and detail orientated with high accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and work independently and with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• Effective communication and presentation skills; ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrate a high degree of motivation, tact, and diplomacy.
• Knowledge of record keeping and record retention requirements.
• Proficiency in computer skills using Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Aptitude to learn new and evolving technology.
• Ability to recommend appropriate courses of action within established guidelines.
• Ability to foster strong, positive relationships and align both internal and external resources to achieve university objectives.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative.
• Ability to deliver great customer service.
• Ability to work effectively with confidential information.
• Must be able to competently interact with a culturally and ethnically diverse population of students, faculty, and staff.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

Standard office and field setting. Duties performed are primarily in an office environment while sitting at a desk or computer workstation or in meetings. At least minimal environmental controls to assure health and comfort.

Incumbents regularly sit for long periods; walk short distances on a regular basis; travel to various locations to attend meetings and conduct work; use hands and fingers to operate an electronic keyboard or other office machines; reach with hands and arms; stoop or kneel or crouch to file; speak clearly and distinctly to answer telephones and to provide information; see to read fine print and operate computer; hear and understand voices over telephone and in person; and lift, carry and/or move objects weighing up to 10 pounds.

TO APPLY

A resume/CV and cover letter are required. In compliance with The Americans with Disabilities Act, if selected for the interview process and accommodations are needed, please call (909) 748-8040. If you are unable to complete an application due to a disability, contact us at (909) 748-8040 to ask for accommodation or an alternative application process.

BACKGROUND CHECK: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check. Offers are conditional and may be rescinded if disqualifying information is found or if information was withheld or falsified. Current employees may be affected if the check is not satisfactorily completed.

DRIVER’S LICENSE: Certain positions require a valid driver’s license and enrollment in the DMV Government Employer Pull Notice Program to verify license status and driving record.

PHYSICAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMS: Select positions (e.g., Public Safety, Facilities, Student Affairs, Athletics, ITS) require a pre-employment physical exam, including the ability to lift 50+ lbs. Public Safety Officers must also pass a psychological evaluation.