Associate Director of Student Services at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas

Job Description:

Posting Number:

20112798

Position Title:

Associate Director of Student Services

FTE:

1.0

Position Type:

Staff

Department:

College of Engineering Dept

Job Summary/Basic Function:

About This Role:


The Associate Director of Student Services plays a pivotal role within the College of Engineering and the Engineering Institute for Energy and Petrochemical Industries (EPI). Reporting directly to the Director of Operations, this position is integral to the college's success. The Associate Director is tasked with providing strategic leadership and supervision for the advising, retention, and student services teams, ensuring the welfare and academic success of the college's diverse student body. The primary responsibilities encompass facilitating transfer pathways, modernizing the curriculum, implementing effective recruit-back initiatives, addressing high-risk student needs, and developing a valuable first-year experience. Additionally, this role involves providing leadership and support for the Student Engineering Council and all College of Engineering student organizations, fostering a collaborative environment that enriches the student experience and promotes student success within the engineering programs. The Associate Director of Student Services is a key contributor to the department's mission to support students from application to graduation and beyond, ultimately ensuring their holistic growth and achievement within the field of engineering. The Associate Director of Student Services plays a critical role in enhancing the academic and personal support services for engineering students. This position requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders to ensure student success and program effectiveness.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provide leadership and guidance to the student success team, ensuring a well-trained team of representatives, overseeing functions such as advising/registering, student engagement, scholarships, first-year experience, etc., coordinating and hosting College of Engineering (COE) and Engineering Institute for Energy and Petrochemical Industries (EPI) initiatives, while mentoring and supervising a diverse group of team members, including assistant directors, undergraduate advisors, transfer advisors, and a coordinator of student success, and fostering a culture of collaboration, professional development, and accountability to ensure team success and growth.


• Identify, create, or secure resources and services to enhance the academic and personal development of engineering students, implementing changes and enhancements to programs and services as needed. Additionally, develop, maintain, and regularly evaluate plans and initiatives to attract top-tier students and industry partners to the College of Engineering (COE) and the Engineering Institute for Energy and Petrochemical Industries (EPI).


• Collaborate closely with Office of Operations leadership to ensure that the department's activities and initiatives are consistent with the institution's objectives, contributing to the overall success of the college.


• Design and implement programs that ease the transition for first-year engineering students, ensuring they have the necessary support and resources for a successful start.


• Collaborate with student engineering organizations to plan and organize social events, workshops, and networking opportunities, ensuring alignment with the academic and career development needs of engineering students. Work closely with the Student Engineering Council and College of Engineering student organizations to address student needs and concerns, facilitating effective communication and advocating for student interests.


• Develop and implement support programs for students facing academic, personal, or financial challenges, identifying and providing resources and interventions to ensure their success in their academic journey.


• Develop programs and initiatives to re-engage former students who wish to return to the engineering program.


• Manage and oversee scholarship programs, collaborating with the scholarship committee to evaluate and award financial support to eligible students pursuing their engineering education based on merit and need.


• Collaborate with undergraduate and graduate advisors to ensure that students receive comprehensive academic advising, including course selection, degree planning, and progress monitoring.


• Gather and analyze data related to student success and retention efforts, ensuring the effectiveness of strategies, and making data-driven recommendations for improvements and enhancements to meet enrollment goals. Leverage data analysis techniques to continuously monitor and report on key performance indicators related to enrollment and retention efforts, as well as student success. Regularly provide comprehensive reports and updates to senior leadership, offering data-driven insights to inform strategic decisions and enhance the departments effectiveness.


• Ensure students have access to necessary academic support, counseling, tutoring, etc., collaborating with other departments, faculty, and staff to ensure seamless coordination of support services for engineering students.


• Develop and oversee the budget for the student success department, ensuring responsible financial planning and allocation of resources to support departmental goals, while monitoring and managing project costs meticulously to optimize the utilization of resources and ensure financial efficiency in departmental operations.


• Other duties as assigned for the benefit of the Office of Operations, College of Engineering, Engineering Institute for Energy and Petrochemical Industries (EPI), and Lamar University.

Key Competencies include:

• Demonstrated strong leadership skills, including the ability to inspire, guide, and collaborate effectively with teams and individuals.


• Demonstrates project management expertise with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to effectively multitask, particularly in high-pressure situations.


• Proven ability to work effectively both as an independent contributor and as a collaborative team member.


• Proficient in delivering outstanding customer service with effective communication skills, both written and oral, when engaging with industry leaders, representatives, faculty, staff, and students. Committed to maintaining a high standard of customer service, ensuring professional and courteous interactions to meet the needs of clients and colleagues. Possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong editing and proofreading capabilities, and is adept at interacting with staff at all organizational levels.


• Proficiency in advising and counseling, including the ability to offer guidance and support when necessary.


• High-level discretion and a strong commitment to maintaining confidentiality in handling sensitive information.


• Displaying diplomacy, maintaining a professional appearance and demeanor, and consistently demonstrating excellent attendance.

Who We Are:


Lamar University is a diverse and accessible global university for life-long learners with a passion for broad-based community engagement. As a vital contributor to the socioeconomic wellbeing and resilience of the Gulf Coast region, our expertise is recognized locally and beyond. Lamar University is home to more than 17,000 students and is among the fastest growing Texas colleges and universities. LU is a member of The Texas State University System, which is the first higher education system of Texas and maintains the lowest average tuition and fees of any university system in Texas. With more than 100 degree options and a community that cares, Lamar students are always proud to be Cardinals.


Lamar University is committed to fostering a culture of diversity where students, faculty and staff of all backgrounds can learn, work, and serve.



Benefits:

• Health, dental & vision insurance


• Life insurance


• State of Texas Retirement plans


• Tuition covered at 100% for employees, spouses and/or eligible dependent.


• Paid time off - vacation, sick, and holidays.

To see more information about the available benefits, please visit:
Insurance - Lamar University
Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in Engineering, Education, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field is essential, while a master's degree is preferred.


• 5 or more years of progressive higher education experience or related customer service/human services/employee relations field


• 5 or more years of supervisory and leadership skills


• Demonstrated student and employee relations field.

EEO Statement:

Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer

Veteran's Preference Statement:

Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A master's degree in Marketing, Engineering, Education, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field.


• Prior experience in a college recruitment environment, demonstrating a familiarity with the details and demands of student outreach and admissions.


• Proficiency in advising and counseling, including the ability to offer guidance and support when necessary.


• Proficiency and experience in utilizing a range of technologies, which may encompass, but are not limited to, systems such as DegreeWorks, Banner, MyScholarships, various social media platforms, event design platforms, purchasing systems, event reservation platforms, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems/Slate, etc.


• Proficiency in advanced technical and computer skills to support administrative functions, including but not limited to the MS Office Suite, with a strong focus on PowerPoint, Excel, and database management. Familiarity with electronic calendar management and various videoconferencing applications like Outlook, Zoom, MS Teams, MS Office, Slate, etc.

Security Sensitive Statement:

This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.

Salary:

Commensurate

Posting Date:

11/20/2023

Close Date:

11/27/2023

Open Until Filled:

Yes

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