The primary location of this position is the Cullowhee, NC campus.

The Office of Student Retention implements targeted student success interventions that are guided by evidence-based practices and institutional data and analytics.

The Assistant Director will champion these efforts for upper-class students with an emphasis on increasing four-year graduation rates.

Responsibilities include:

• Finish in Four – Champion efforts that increase four-year graduation rates. These efforts may include at-risk student interventions, collaborations with programs and departments, a focus on removing barriers for student success, and the creation of policies and practices that increase degree attainment.
• Upper-class Student Retention Initiatives – Create and implement programming efforts for upper-class students focused on increasing retention and persistence.
• At-risk student support – Academic coaching for a small caseload of at-risk students. This includes teaching LC 101, an academic recovery course for students on academic warning designed to coach students in developing academic and self-management skills for success.
• Supervision – Supervise the Program Coordinator.
• Data-Driven Analysis & Assessment – Collaborate with Office of Institutional Planning & Effectiveness for analysis and assessment of programming and interventions for continuous improvement;
• Retention and Persistence initiatives – Create, implement, and support initiatives to increase semester-to-semester enrollment, decrease time to graduation, and advance the rate of degree completion;
• Office duties – assist with academic standing, appeals, term withdrawals, and re-admission after suspension/dismissal.

The candidate should have a comprehensive knowledge of academic and support programs and a thorough understanding of student development theories in practice. This role is highly collaborative, and the selected candidate must be able to collaborate with faculty and staff in the academic colleges, student affairs, academic support units, and athletics. An institutional perspective, excellent communication, and consensus-building skills, as well as an ability to interpret significant student data and generate appropriate actions are essential.

As part of a relatively-new office dedicated to supporting students, the Assistant Director will have the exciting opportunity to contribute creatively to the office’s vision and to develop innovative student programming.

Permanent Full-Time

12

10/09/2024

Yes

To be considered, you must apply online. Please include a cover letter, resume, and a list of professional references to complete the application process.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

For questions or additional information, please contact Amber Lowe at allowe@email.wcu.edu

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program.
Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.