Assistant Director of Student Life Research

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.

Department Summary:

Student Life Research encourages and supports a culture of inquiry throughout Student Life through the systematic assessment of student learning, experiences, and usage of resources and services. By partnering with and serving as a resource for all Student Life units in the development of assessment tools, data collection, and the analysis and dissemination of results, the Research Office helps the Division of Student Life engage in data-informed decision making and understanding its impact across the Division and University.

Our core work is seeking a nuanced understanding of all facets of the student experience through centralized assessment and research efforts. We support the continuous improvement of student programming, resources, and services, by conducting Student Life unit-based analysis. We serve as a resource for Student Life units in the development of assessment tools, data collection, and the analysis and dissemination of results.

And finally, we tell the story of the student experience as well as Student Life's and the University's impact on student growth and development.

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director for Student Life Research directly supports and partners on research and assessment projects with individual units to advance key initiatives. Engages actively across the Division to increase the culture of inquiry through management of the Student Life Research Liaison Network, organization of the annual Student Life Research Symposium, and creation and implementation of other professional development opportunities, trainings, and curricula to support unit-based assessment and research efforts.

UNIT-BASED ASSESSMENT EFFORTS (60%)

Assist units in identifying, conducting, and reporting on inquiries unique to their mission. Through consultation, coordination, and provision of professional development opportunities for SL staff, support units engaging in inquiries extending beyond divisional assessment efforts. Assist units in interpreting assessment findings and other relevant information related to key project areas through compelling visual and written documents relevant to broad constituent groups, including students, faculty, administrators, parents, and the broader public.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT OF DIVISIONAL ASSESSMENT EFFORTS (20%)

Project management of the Division's data collection and assessment strategies, including planning, coordination, documentation of processes, and clear communication of project objectives and plans with multiple stakeholders. Development of detailed, organized planning materials that incorporate smaller, individual projects into a comprehensive whole. Manage changes and adapt as necessary.

SUPPORT COMMUNITY BUILDING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (10%)

Assist unit lead in increasing the culture of inquiry across the division through interaction with the Student Life Research Liaison Network, organization of the annual Student Life Research Symposium, and creation and implementation of other professional development opportunities, trainings, and curricula to support Student Life assessment and research efforts.

STUDENT SUPERVISION (10%)

Using a developmental lens, supervise student employees and provide mentoring and professional development opportunities.

• Bachelor's degree in a research-based field
• Four years of experience in qualitative research (ethnographic methods, reflexive analysis, narrative inquiry, or other relevant methodologies)
• Demonstrated proficiency in various qualitative/ethnographic research methods, such as in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and other participatory or human-centered study methods
• Demonstrated proficiency in qualitative data analysis, including creating codebooks, coding/theming data, narrative analysis, and using MaxQDA qualitative…