Director of Student Pathways and Partnerships

The director leads the university's efforts to develop coordinated pathways of support by building partnerships across academic and administrative units, strengthening relationships with community organizations, and ensuring that institutional resources are aligned to meet the needs of specialized student populations.

The director is responsible for advancing a relationship-rich ecosystem of support that connects students to people, programs, and opportunities throughout their educational journey while reducing institutional barriers that impede student success.

Unlike traditional student support offices that primarily deliver services, the Office of Student Pathways and Partnerships serves as an institutional catalyst-building the university's capacity to ensure that every student has equitable access to the relationships, resources, and experiences necessary to thrive.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership (25%)

   * Develop and implement the university's strategic vision for Student Pathways and Partnerships.

   • Identify institutional opportunity gaps through the analysis of student success data.
   • Develop university-wide initiatives that improve student belonging, engagement, retention, and completion.
   • Establish priorities aligned with institutional strategic goals.
2. Partnership Development (20%)
   Develop strategic partnerships across campus and within the community. Examples include:

• Veterans Affairs
• TeenWorks
• 21st Century Scholars
• Community organizations
• Alumni

Coordinate partnerships that expand educational opportunity and student success.

3. Population Strategy (20%)

Provide leadership for university initiatives supporting specialized student populations, including:

• First-generation students
• Veterans
• Students from low-income backgrounds
• Adult learners
• Returning stop-out students
• Students in academic recovery
• Foster youth
• Additional populations identified through institutional priorities.

4. Institutional Capacity Building (15%)

Lead cross-divisional efforts that improve institutional responsiveness. Responsibilities include:

• policy review
• referral systems
• resource coordination
• institutional communication
• systems improvement
• professional development
• relationship-rich practices

5. Assessment and Continuous Improvement (10%)

• Establish metrics.
• Evaluate outcomes.
• Monitor participation.
• Prepare annual reports.
• Recommend institutional improvements.

1. Supervision (10%)
   Supervise Student Pathways Specialists.
2. Provide leadership, coaching, and professional development.
3. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Education, or related field.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in advising, student success, TRIO, student affairs, or related higher education programs.
• Experience working with students from various educational, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Experience partnering with community-based organizations to support vulnerable populations.
• Demonstrated experience developing student success initiatives or educational programming.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Supervisory experience.
• Experience with Navigate360, Stellic, or other student success technologies.
• Experience assessing student success programs using quantitative and qualitative data.
• Experience developing campus partnerships.
• Experience supporting first-generation, Pell-eligible, military-affiliated, transfer, or adult learners.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated commitment to relationship-rich student support.
• Ability to build collaborative partnerships across organizational units.
• Strong developmental advising and coaching skills.
• Knowledge of barriers affecting historically underserved students.
• Ability to interpret student success data and translate findings into action.
• Excellent facilitation, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to lead through influence and collaboration.

How to apply:

Inquiries regarding this opportunity may be directed to Dr. Jason Rivera, Vice Provost for Student Success and Dean of University College, jason.rivera@bsu.edu

The following documents are required in this application:

1. Cover letter

2. Resume/CV (Do not use the Autofill resume feature.)

Applications must be submitted before 12:01 AM on October 13, 2026.

What we offer:

At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being. That's why we offer paid 24 vacation days, 12 sick days and 10 holidays a year. Plus, our paid parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant moments. We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust long-term disability and life insurance plans, as well a range of retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your family. These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.

When you work for us, you are family. And to show our support of your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State. We do the same for you. In fact, we'll cover 100 percent of the tuition costs for you to earn your undergraduate degree and 80 percent of your graduate tuition. This offer is good from the very first day you start. It's just one way we do our part to uplift you.

Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.

Curious about our excellent benefits package?

We have developed a calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits. Select the Total Compensation Calculator - Professional and download the spreadsheet. If you are applying for a 10-month position or one with Burris or Indiana Academy, please select the corresponding calculator.