The Barton College Office of Academic and Career Planning invites applications for the Director of Academic Planning & Retention Initiatives. The director supports academic planning and advising, student progress to degree completion, and strategic retention efforts. Leads first year advising efforts in partnership with the Director of First-Year Seminar (FYS) and FYS faculty. Serves as a secondary advising support for all students and as primary advisor for exploratory students. Monitors student enrollment and academic progress and supervises work led by the Academic Planning & Retention Specialist. The director also coordinates college-wide academic advising efforts through leadership of the Academic Advising Council, oversight of advising policies and processes, and delivery of training and professional development of first-year and faculty advisors. Works across departments and divisions to support academic planning initiatives that reduce barriers to student persistence and graduation.
Job Responsibilities:
- Serve as the primary administrator for college-wide academic advising efforts.
- Provide support, information and development opportunities to first-year and faculty advisors, including face-to-face and online training, online Advising Toolkit, and campus portal and website information.
- Create and maintain advising tools and resources for students and faculty advisors.
- Create, update and maintain communication to new and current students, faculty and staff about registration, advising, and placement.
- Work closely with the Registrar, first year advisors, and faculty advisors to coordinate advisement efforts; assign first-year advisors and prepare advising information.
- Assist Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs in matters related to academic policy, including student communication, referrals, and faculty advisor training.
- Integrate career readiness into academic advising; partner with Academic and Career Planning staff on career readiness initiatives.
- Manage fall semester registration for first year students.
- Serve on the New Student Program Committee to incorporate academic advising and placement testing into all New Student Orientations.
- Serve as primary point of contact for first year student advising in support of the first year advising team.
- Connect incoming transfer and readmitted students to major advisors in close collaboration with the Admissions Office.
- Manage declaration of major process and advisor transition process for first-year students.
- Collaborate with campus partners to ensure effective advising for new and current students.
- Assess first-year and faculty advising programs, using data to recommend appropriate changes.
- Work collaboratively with English, math and Spanish departments to develop and implement placement testing policies for students.
- Update and maintain all placement testing processes and data.
- Use data to assist in decision making on first-year student course selection and availability.
- Track first year student engagement and success metrics. Design and lead delivery of intervention strategies using data available from the retention management system, Canvas, IR reports and other sources.
- Report key retention and enrollment numbers to Senior Staff; monitor data and report on trends.
- Work with the Academic Planning and Retention Specialist to analyze and act on retention-related reports.
- Serve as a lead member of the Academic Advising Council and campuswide Retention Workgroup.
- Support the Office of Academic and Career Planning team to plan, promote and deliver resources and programs to students in support of the Division of Academic Affairs.
Qualifications:
Master’s degree in higher education, student development, counseling, or related field. Ability to advise students on matters related to educational planning and academic performance and progress. Possess skills to communicate effectively in person, by phone, or via electronic media with students, faculty, staff, and parents. Ability to organize and manage events and programs. Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Strong organizational, leadership, and presentation skills. Excellent technology and computer skills.
Application Guidance
Please submit application materials including a letter of interest, current resume and contact information for at least three professional references (all documents should be MS Word or PDF format) to People & Support at employment@barton.edu. References will not be checked until the candidate is informed. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Barton College is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to a diverse faculty, staff, and student body and welcomes all applicants. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. Any claims of discrimination for Title IX or otherwise should be directed to our Title IX Coordinator, Victoria A. Morris, at P.O. Box 5000, Wilson, NC 27893, or at 252-399-6330 or vamorris@barton.edu.
About Barton College:
Founded in 1902, Barton College is a four-year, private, liberal arts college located in Wilson, N.C. The Barton Experience focuses on academic excellence within a wide range of professional and liberal arts programs leading to baccalaureate and graduate degrees, including master’s degrees in Nursing, Kinesiology, Criminology and Criminal Justice Sciences, School Administration, and an MBA in Strategic Leadership. Barton celebrates innovation and bold thinking among faculty and staff as the College nurtures bold leadership development among students. Barton offers purposeful internships, practicums, and research/presentation in academic disciplines; engaging co-curricular cohorts; meaningful international travel and study; opportunities to give back through community service; an impressive array of cultural events; and diverse athletic competition among 24 collegiate teams.
Our 86-acre campus is home to Barton Bulldogs Division II athletics and boasts five residence halls, the W. N. Hackney Library, the Kennedy Recreation & Intramural Center, and other state-of-the-art facilities. Find out more at www.barton.edu.