"Director of First Year Experiences and New Student Belonging and Success"

Director of First Year Experiences and New Student Belonging and Success

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences - Student Academic Affairs Office

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Student Academic Affairs Office in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are searching for a Director of First Year Experiences and New Student Belonging and Success to lead the design and implementation of the college's programming for new students' transition and connection to college to support their first year success and retention.

Duties & Responsibilities

Administration of FYE Programs and Curricula

• Design and offer new student belonging activities through courses, cohort building, peer experiences, and new domestic and international student programs that facilitate the transition to campus and the college.
• Supervise first-year experience staff, including facilitating employee training and development programs, performance management, and identifying needs and coordinating resources.
• Oversee and lead the design and redesign of first-year student curricula for LAS 101 and LAS 102; Collaborate with other Student Academic Affairs (International Programs, Access and Achievement Program, Honors Program), campus, and departmental units providing first-year experience courses and curricula to ensure curricular alignment, minimize overlap, and assessment.
• Collaborate with LAS Admissions and Recruitment to offer cohort-building experiences for new and pre-enrolled students.
• Collaborate with LAS advising team to monitor first-year student success, retention, and develop needed interventions.
• May be required to attend and oversee in-person events on the weekends or after hours.

LAS First Year Experience Survey. Instruction and Instructional Development

• Oversee and lead instruction and instructor development.
• Oversee the recruitment and training of graduate teaching assistants, undergraduate instructional interns, and peer mentors to facilitate first-year student programs and sections of LAS 101 and 102.
• Oversee and teach courses as needed, including a course that prepares undergraduate instructional interns to facilitate LAS 101, LAS 102.
• Develop, supervise, and coordinate first-year experience mentors to participate in the Paul Lisnek Hub.
• SAAO Shared Duties: Serves on SAA leadership team, Chairs FYE Curriculum Committee, Participates in Scholarship Selection.
• Other duties as assigned to further the mission of the unit

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Demonstrated leadership, management, or supervisory experience of projects, programs and/or staff.
• Five (5) years of experience coordinating a student affairs program or specialized advising area.
• One (1) year experience providing leadership of advising or student affairs program, managing budgets, overseeing hiring and promotions for staff and students

Preferred Qualifications

• All degree backgrounds will receive full consideration. Preference will be given to those with degrees in the liberal arts and sciences, student affairs, education, education administration, education leadership, social work, and related areas.
• Evidence of effective mentoring and supervision of student or professional staff.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively managing student affairs programming or student academic advising program.
• Experience working in inclusive academic settings, providing instruction, guidance, and mentorship to all new college students

Successful Candidates Will Have

• Demonstrated effective organizational, communication, interpersonal and assessment skills, data collection, analytical and report-writing skills;
• Excellent communication skills, particularly those that enable the candidate to effectively represent the College and communicate clearly with all constituents.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to working collaboratively with colleagues and to work independently.
• Demonstrated evidence of effectively developing programs and courses for new student orientation and transition.
• Demonstrated teaching effectiveness, teaching supervision, course development and alignment, and program and curricular assessment.
• Ability to make effective and dynamic public presentations specifically to prospective and current students and parents

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the deadline date. The budgeted salary range for the position is $82,000 to $100,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements. Hybrid work options may be available for this position after an initial on-site training period, with the ability to be on-site at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus as needed per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Monday, September 22nd, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting and upload your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three professional references. Please remember to include specific information on how you meet the qualifications of the position in your application materials, including all relevant experiences. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact lascollegehiring@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.