Assistant Director for Academic Initiatives & Assessment

Job Summary: Reporting to the Director of Residence Education, the Assistant Director of Residence Education for Academic Initiatives & Assessment (AD for AIA) supports the Department of Housing & Residence Life, as well as the University’s mission of supporting student retention and academic success. The Assistant Director for Academic Initiatives & Assessment leads HRL’s assessment efforts to demonstrate impact and implementation of national HRL trends and best practices for continuous departmental improvement. The AD for AIA is expected to 

anticipate student development and academic program needs of the HRL student population. Utilizing CAS Standards, develop, in partnership with the leadership team of Residence Education, learning outcomes, programs, and experiences that support a high-quality learning environment connected to academic success and retention related initiatives.

Academic Initiatives & Retention

• Coordinate Housing & Residence Life academic initiatives, including tracking, evaluation, and assessment.

• Coordinate retention outreach to identified students (international, at-risk, etc.), including serving as a member of the SCL Retention team to assist with contacting students during peak times to assist with 

registration and problem-solving.

• Serve as a resource for Student Success Coaches and Academic Advisors for residential students, as well as planning and implementing programming support for residential students.

• Serve as primary contact for academic initiatives for first- and second-year students, including targeted populations.

• Assist with Student Progress Notification initiatives and response.

• Contact and meet with students of concern to discuss resources and create a success plan, including student staff members.

• Collaborate with Center for High Impact Practices, Advising & Transfer Programs and other campus offices to academically support residential students.

• Monitor, develop, and/or assist with retention intervention/outreach plans and assessments for at-risk students (freshman cohort outreach, non-registration lists, etc.) in the residence halls.

• Develop, implement, and assess a recognition system for residential students and staff members who excel academically.

• Develop recognition/awards for academic initiatives in the residence halls.

• Provide support to the hall staff in their efforts to plan and provide academic support and enhancement initiatives for residents.

• Identify and create resources for programs and initiatives that support academic success.

• Be knowledgeable of general education requirements and resources for college/dept. advising services.

• Maintain academic resources and supplies.

• Initiate outreach to hall staff and campus partners to discuss opportunities, issues, trends, and strategies to promote student learning.

• Assist with the development of marketing and promotion of academic support and student success initiatives with various sources such as web media, brochures, newsletter, etc.

• Maintain confidentiality of student records and information.

Assessment & Evaluation

• Assist the HRL Leadership Team in department-wide assessment efforts including report writing, data collection, assessment plan development, and coordinating efforts with the divisional assessment team.

• Develop student learning outcomes for academic initiatives and the Community Learning Model (CLM) within the residence halls.

• Coordinate data collection and analysis of assessment findings, implementation of improvement plans and strategies for the department.

• Implement assessment techniques regarding student learning, training experiences and program initiatives.

• Assist with developing, administering, and publicizing instruments (surveys, focus groups, climate studies).

• Serve on the divisional assessment team and contribute annual reports including but not limited to Student and Campus Life outcomes, Impact Report information.

• Support the Director by conducting benchmarking to ensure program practices and measures are aligned with CAS and ACUHO-I standards.

• Coordinate the distribution of resident information and reports to other areas of the department as required/needed.

• Assisting with compliance reports, program reviews, and proposals to include gathering assessment data, calculating and analysis of scores, and creating action plans.

• Provide one-on-one assessment consultations and sessions with HRL staff members.

• Coordinate training programs and workshops on student learning and assessment program effectiveness for the HRL department.

Supervision & Training

• Provide leadership and supervision to the Coordinator for Academic Initiatives and Assessment, including recruitment/selection, training, and evaluation.

• Train residence education staff on best practices and high impact trends regarding academic success and retention.

• Assist in building a cohesive, creative, and effective residence education staff who understand student academic success, engagement, and retention practices.

• Assist in the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of all residence education staff.

Department Responsibilities and Other Duties as Assigned

• Represent the department on divisional and university wide committees and task forces as requested by the Director. Serve on departmental committees or task forces as required.

• Participate in the development, implementation, and interpretation of departmental and university policy.

• Coordinate and participate in special events for the department such as open houses, room sign-up, orientations, HRL signature events, admitted students’ day, and move-in.

• Provide input into departmental goals, policies and procedures, budget development, and other processes as required.

• Serve as emergency personnel for the department in the event of crisis, university closure, incidents that require assistance outside of normal duties or hours of operation.

• Serve on the Housing On-Call Crisis Response Team.

• Provide assistance and support with community living standards/student accountability by serving as a student accountability hearing officer.

• Serve as a member of the leadership team within Housing & Residence Life.

• Performs other duties as assigned