Senior Director for Newnan Academic Advising Center and General Studies Program

Senior Director for the Newnan Academic Advising Center and General Studies Program

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The Newnan Academic Advising Center is guided by our core mission to support undergraduate liberal arts students in achieving their success and growth by empowering them to make informed and purpose-driven decisions. Newnan is a forward-thinking organization of nearly 50 full-time professional staff members.

Our vision is to leverage data-driven, systematic approaches to cultivate inclusive student success initiatives and establish collaborative spaces where students can achieve their academic goals. We partner with students from orientation to graduation to help them:

• Co-Create Their Academic Journey:
  Helping students navigate degree requirements, policies, and procedures while matching their growing interests with the vast offerings of a liberal arts education.
• Synthesize Experiences:
  Guiding students to connect their learning inside and outside the classroom, talk through critical decision-making processes, and utilize extensive campus resources.
• Access Specialized & Pre-Professional Pathways:
  Providing robust advising and experiential learning for students and alumni exploring high-stakes fields through Pre-Health and Pre-Law Advising.
• Transition and Thrive:
  Spearheading specialized, inclusive programming for specific populations, including the Transfer Student Program, post-orientation initiatives for First-Generation Students, and the coordination of the annual Major/Minor Expo.
• Explore Custom Degrees:
  Administering and advising for the Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) degree, a unique and customizable academic pathway.

Overview

The Senior Director for the Newnan Academic Advising Center and General Studies Program is responsible for the development and assessment of innovative undergraduate advising programs and practices for over 19,000 undergraduate students in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts that are grounded in best practices and research in advising and student success. This position also oversees the Bachelor of General Studies Program.

While providing strategic leadership, daily administration, and process improvements for a center of nearly fifty full-time professional staff members, the Senior Director will also have additional responsibility for advising initiatives and services for the College's Undergraduate Education division, including work with departments and faculty.

The successful candidate will play a key role in developing advising initiatives and programs while collaborating with other areas to support students in the College and the university. They will be expected to build relationships across the College and university around advising and student support, and spearhead innovative and data-driven efforts to enhance the ever-evolving undergraduate student experience in the tradition of the liberal arts at the university.

The Senior Director reports to the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education and Student Affairs as part of their senior leadership team. They work collaboratively as a key partner on overarching OAD strategic initiatives. They are also expected to directly supervise a team of supervisory Directors, Associate Directors, Coordinators, as well as several administrative assistants.

Leadership of the Newnan LSA Academic Advising Center (40%)

• Executive leadership for the center, which includes functional areas in general academic advising, student success, pre-professional advising, and new student programs. Support leaders within each area to set direction and deliver a comprehensive advising program that supports students from admission to graduation.
• Develop, execute, and assess innovative undergraduate advising, pre-professional advising, new student programs, and student success interventions.
• Set strategic directions for the center based on the college and university goals, while engaging best practices from research and national trends.
• Oversee the administration of a portfolio of annual advising and student success programs and events.
• Administer the College's Bachelor of General Studies degree program, including new initiatives to support and grow the program.

Leadership, supervision, and staff development (30%)

• Provide leadership for a complex organization of nearly 50 professionals while cultivating a positive organizational culture that centers on student success.
• Supervise and manage the daily work of a team of directors, associate directors, coordinators, and administrative assistants within the center.
• Lead efforts to hire, train, coach, and develop staff.
• Ensure accountability, communication, and effective operations of the center.

College and University Advising…