"Senior Director for Graduate Student Success and Assessment"

Job Details

Position Details

Classification Information

Position Classification Title: Academic Advising Professional, Senior

FLSA: Exempt

Position Class: 89663

Position Overview

Position Summary

Join the Ramily! The Graduate College of Winston-Salem State University is seeking a Senior Director for Graduate Student Success and Assessment.

The Graduate College at Winston-Salem State University excels in advanced preparation of equity-minded scholars and practitioners who desire to improve societal conditions. Our graduate and professional programs are nationally recognized for propelling upward mobility. Our Rams graduate at their full potential, empowered to transform their world.

The Senior Director for Graduate Student Success and Assessment will report to the Dean of the Graduate College and is central to advancing the University’s strategic priority of fostering student success through enhanced academic and student support services. As graduate enrollment continues to grow at WSSU, the Senior Director will provide vision and leadership for coordinated, data-driven initiatives that support graduate student retention, persistence, degree completion, and overall academic excellence. This role also plays a critical part in strengthening graduate career preparation by expanding career readiness competencies, maximizing employer partnerships, and ensuring graduates are well-positioned for competitive professional opportunities.

Responsibilities of the Senior Director for Graduate Student Success and Assessment include:

• Oversee the creation, coordination, and evaluation of programs aimed at improving retention, progression, and graduation rates.
• Implement holistic support initiatives, including orientation, academic coaching, mentoring, and professional development programming.
• Collaborate with faculty, program directors, and academic departments to ensure consistent advising structures and support practices.
• Develop targeted interventions for at-risk students and coordinate wraparound support services.
• Serve as a Watermark superuser and lead graduate-level institutional assessment planning, including outcomes assessment, program evaluation, and accreditation support.
• Collect, analyze, and report on key performance metrics related to student success, enrollment trends, and program effectiveness.
• Provide data-driven recommendations that inform policy decisions, resource allocation, and strategic planning within the Graduate School.
• Ensure compliance with institutional, state, and accreditor reporting requirements.
• Supervise staff involved in graduate student support, assessment, and data management functions.
• Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement within the Graduate School.
• Manage budgets and allocate resources to support student success and assessment initiatives.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-year strategy for graduate student success aligned with the University’s mission and strategic plan.
• Lead the design and assessment of programs, policies, and services that support academic progress, student engagement, and well-being.
• Advise the Dean on emerging trends, challenges, and innovations in graduate education, student support, and assessment practices.
• Work closely with the University’s leadership, particularly the Vice Provost and the Office of Student Success alongside the Graduate College Dean and Graduate Coordinators/Department Chairs to align student success initiatives with institutional priorities.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Graduate College and campus units such as Institutional Assessment, Career Development and the Wellness Center.
• Strengthen partnerships with external organizations, alumni, and community partners to enhance opportunities for student internships, research, career readiness, and professional development.
• Collaborate with IT and technology partners to integrate tools that improve student tracking, career placement upon graduation, early alert systems, and assessment processes.

Position Information

Position Number: 505005

Working Position Title: Senior Director for Graduate Student Success and Assessment

Building and Room No.: Hill Hall, 319

Appointment Type: Permanent Full-Time

If Time Limited: No

Appointment Length:

Requirements and Preferences

Position required to work during periods of adverse weather or other emergencies: Not Mandatory

Normal Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm Occasional evenings and weekends as required

Department Required Skills

• Terminal degree in a relevant field
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, with demonstrated leadership in student success, academic support services, assessment, institutional research, or related areas.
• Strong understanding of graduate education, student support services, and assessment methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience using data to inform decision-making and drive institutional improvement.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills with the ability to work collaboratively across diverse academic and administrative units.

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education

• Experience supervising professional staff and managing cross-functional projects.
• Knowledge of student information systems, assessment software, and data management tools including Ellucian Banner and EAB Navigate.

Required License or Certification

Valid US Driver's License: No

Commercial Driver's License Required: No

Physical Required: No

Posting Details

Internal Posting Only: No

Time Limited Position: No

Appointment Length:

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience

Open Date: 12/22/2025

Close Date:

Open Until Filled: Yes