Experience mission is to ensure that every first-year student is given access to academic support and campus engagement opportunities to create an enriched college experience. The First-Year Experience Office delivers high-quality services by providing support with educational planning, course selection, resource awareness, and success strategies.
Primary Purpose of the Position
The Director of the First Year Experience coordinates and provides leadership for the successful conceptualization and implementation of an integrated first-year experience program; coordinates appropriate instruction (i.e. UNIV ), instructional support (i.e. learning center) and student services support to meet the needs of first year and/or high risk students; enhances service to programs and its participants to improve student success; and provide direction to college-wide, cross-functional efforts that promotes student learning, persistence, retention, and academic success during students’ first year of matriculation. This position includes the assignment of up to two UNIV Seminar courses, depending on institutional need.
Brief Summary of Job Duties
- Leadership for the First-Year Experience: Provides leadership and oversight for implementing the First Year Experience ( FYE ) Programs, including bridge programs, learning communities, first-year seminars, and extended orientation programs, with a special focus on improving success for disproportionately impacted student groups. Coordinate university Studies course training, curriculum, teaching, and learning.
- Manage Bronco Boost Summer Bridge Program: Provide supervision, academic support, and transitional programming to incoming first-year students in a residence hall environment.
- Manage EAB Navigate Student Success: Monitor and maintain advising records through the university portals and other software systems ( EAB, Native Banner, UpSwing, Canvas, Knowledgebase) and support staff with successful usage of systems.
- Campus Community Partnership: Collaborates and coordinates with academic affairs, student services, and faculty leads to ensure appropriate academic and student success courses are offered; adequate counseling and student support services are provided to meet program goals and objectives.
- Customer Care Development and Focus: Conduct research and remain current to provide relevant training on customer care.
- Other Duties Assigned
Minimum Education And Experience Requirements
- Master’s degree from an accredited institution with at least two years of work experience in higher education in either of the following areas: academic advising, counseling, admissions, enrollment management, or student affairs.
- Experience interpreting and administering academic policies.
- Proficiency with the EAB Navigate student success management system or a similar platform, Ellucian Banner Student, the Canvas Learning Management System, the Degree Works degree auditing system, or related platforms.
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
Knowledge: Knowledge of best practices in higher education for enhancing student academic skills; a thorough familiarity with the university catalog is essential for optimum performance of the responsibilities of this position; knowledge of current advising and registration technology; a working knowledge of the Transfer Articulation Agreement between the NC Community College System and the UNC Constituent institutions; broad knowledge of Admissions, Registration, Financial Aid, and bill payment processes to answer basic questions about these processes and direct students to appropriate resources as necessary; and student development/engagement, academic advising, early alert intervention, and working with high‐risk students from diverse backgrounds.
Skills: Communication skills to explain, write, advocate for, and report on the needs of the program and academic outcomes; interpersonal skills to interact effectively with students, staff, and faculty; proficient use of computers, student success technology, Microsoft Office, and Zoom/ TEAMS ; help students navigate the various platforms available to them (i.e., Banner, Microsoft Outlook, and Canvas). must be attentive to detail, possess strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize while multi-tasking and manage tasks in an efficient and timely manner.
Abilities: The ability to respond effectively to unexpected events and make adjustments in plans as needed; listen and analyze academic needs; generate reports on academic progression; navigate student records; answer basic questions about processes and direct students to appropriate resources as necessary; occasional evening and weekend work required; and a viable candidate must comprehend and abide by federal and university student confidentiality requirements; establish and maintain productive working relationships; promote positive morale and teamwork within the department and provides exceptional customer service to students, faculty and community. Ability to function effectively with ambiguity and transition in an environment of dynamic academic program evolution. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and work occasionally after 5:00pm and on weekends (especially during peak times).
Preferred Qualifications
- Budget management and planning experience.
- Experience working with first-generation college students and/or socially or economically disadvantaged students is preferred.
- Two years of closely related experience in student services or instructional programs is required.
- Two to three years’ experience advising first-year students, particularly exploratory/undecided students.
