"Executive Director of Student Retention and Completion"

Job Description

Job Summary

Advances the College's vision and strategic framework for student retention and completion efforts. Provides leadership in developing a robust student success agenda with specific emphasis on retention and completion. Works collaboratively with college faculty, staff, and administrators to ensure the support and success of student success initiatives. Works closely with Instructional and Student Services Directors, Associate Deans, Dean, Vice Presidents, Associate Vice Chancellors, Institutional Research, Presidents, and the VC, Instructional Services, and the Sr VC, Instruction, Student Services & Chief Academic Officer to ensure the support and success of all student success initiatives.

Executive level staff at HCC are system-wide leaders that share the responsibility to collaboratively support the one-college vision articulated in our strategic plan – Embracing Houstons Future – with college strategic priorities as measurable manifestations of our shared Mission, Vision, and Values.

Responsible for the design, execution, and effectiveness of a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded, financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable law, regulation, policies and procedures.

Manages Talent Engagement activities for direct reports in regards to: recruiting and selection; hiring and termination, training, development, mentoring, counseling, and performance evaluations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide strategic leadership that utilizes innovation and creativity in the implementation of retention and completion initiatives such as academic advising, proactive monitoring systems, first-year programs, guided pathways, and student engagement programs.
• Serve as a collaborative strategic partner in the review of data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for enhancing student success initiatives, with a focus on reducing disparities and increasing equity in retention and completion rates (earning a certificate, graduation, and transfer, etc.).
• Provide leadership to Student Retention/Success committees as established by the VC, Instructional Services and the VC, Student Services.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate a plan for scaling and sun-setting student retention, success, and completion strategies at the College.
• Lead a portfolio of student-centered programs and services ensuring measurable progress of student success outcomes by implementing targeted interventions and strategies guided by data-informed best practices.
• Foster partnerships with completion- and success-oriented organizations and programs that enhance students' access to academic, career, and personal development resources, both within and outside the college, with an emphasis on closing opportunity gaps.
• Collaborate with Instructional Leaders and the Faculty Academy to develop, promote and implement a faculty and student engagement plan focused on the application of learner-centered teaching strategies, innovative curricula, and quality instructional materials among current and new faculty that support student success and completion.
• Identify and manage grant opportunities that support student retention and completion.
• Develop, utilize, and continuously assess and evaluate a robust data strategy and other technological advances to create a model retention program for in-person and online students.
• Lead and evaluate college retention and persistence efforts, including academic recovery, adoption, and effective use of the academic alert system, ensuring strategies are informed by data-driven assessment results.
• Maintain effective communication and incorporate assessment feedback to ensure that student success and retention projects remain congruent with overall institutional development goals.
• Communicate and assess progress toward student success and retention goals with staff, faculty, and other College personnel, providing regular evaluations to guide continuous improvement.
• Develop, assess, and present reports regarding student success and completion as directed by the VC, Student Services, for the Chancellors Executive Council and the HCC Board of Trustees.
• Support the development, implementation, assessment, and evaluation of programs, divisions, and College-wide initiatives, including the institutions Quality Enhancement Plan and SACSCOC accreditation process
• Guide college-wide professional development related to retention and completion areas of practice, facilitating best-practice sharing and the support of a professional learning community to ensure goals are achieved College-wide.
• Advance a culture of care and hospitality throughout the College to elevate the student experience both inside and outside of the organization.
• Performs other duties, tasks and assignments as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Masters degree in an area appropriate to providing leadership and supervision in activities related to Higher Education or a related field required
• 8 years combined experience of higher education administration including program development and implementation, student learning outcomes, faculty/staff development, data collection and analysis, and formal evaluation and reporting on educational programs required; Including 5 years in educational administration in the areas of student development and/or instruction, as well as instructional assessment, and effectiveness development and management at the administrative level
• Experience in working in a multi-college, complex, community college environment preferred

Licensing & Certification

• Valid Texas Driver License

Special Skills

• MS Office Programs
• Information Management Systems
• Budgets Management
• Communication Skills

Competencies

• Acting as a Champion for Change
• Thinking like an Entrepreneur
• Driving for Results
• Leveraging Opportunities
• Setting a Strategic Vision
• Attracting & Developing Talent
• Inspiring & Motivating Others
• Acting Strategically
• Demonstrating Beliefs & Principals
• Managing Resources

Working Conditions

General Office. Must be able to perform all job requirements with or without reasonable accommodations; remain in a stationary position during shift; move items weighing up to 25 pounds; position self to operate job equipment; apply established protocols in a timely manner. Must access, input and retrieve information from technology devices; communicate with others to accomplish job requirements. May be required to work after hours to include weekends and holidays.

SECURITY SENSITIVE: This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215