Director Student Success

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

• External applicants should use the WMU
  - Application.
• Internal applicants should use the WMU
  - Internal Application.

College

Executive Area

Executive Area Provost & VP Academic Affairs

Department

Department Student Success Services

Posting Number

Posting Number S1604P

Job Type

Job Type Full Time, Regular

Pay Type

Pay Grade

Pay Grade H

Campus Location

Campus Location WMU-Kalamazoo
- Main Campus

Salary Range

Salary Range Pay is commensurate with qualifications and experience, combined with an excellent benefits package.

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

General Summary

Directs and coordinates campus-wide retention, persistence efforts, and student success programs to ensure equitable, data-driven, evidence-based outcomes.

Major Duties

• Oversees campus-wide academic success programs. Ensures that all University students receive effective academic support.
• Directs and facilitates comprehensive training for staff and student employees to ensure utilization of high-impact practices for success programs.
• Leads development of programs, policies, and practices to meet the needs to students, staff, and faculty. Develops and implements short-term and long-term strategic plans for the department. Maintains current industry best practices and evaluates academic support programs with complex data analysis.
• Develops and administers departmental budgets. Ensures fiscal responsibility.
• Oversees a large volume of proactive outreach calls to students each semester.
• May serve on relevant committees with a special focus on campus retention efforts and campaigns to support student well-being and campus climate.
• Serves as a liaison for University initiatives. Analyzes and presents course outcome data. Collaborates with University leadership and academic partners to establish and maintain student success programs .
• Hires, evaluates and supervises staff and student employees.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related field from an accredited institution.
• Supervisory or lead experience.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of university academic programs and requirements.
• Experience with managing large teams.
• Experience with budget management.

Desired Qualifications

Special Instructions to Applicants

• External applicants should use the WMU – Application.
• Internal applicants should use the WMU – Internal Application.

Additional Position Information

• Interviews will begin the week of August 17, 2026.
• Western Michigan University offers generous benefits to its employees including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement, and tuition discount for the employee and tuition remission for eligible dependents.

Physical requirements and working conditions

• Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.
• Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a master's degree in a related field from an accredited institution?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have supervisory or lead experience?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills?
  • Yes.
  • No.
• * Do you have knowledge of university academic programs and requirements?
  • Yes.
  • No.
• * Do you have experience with managing large teams?
  • Yes.
  • No.
• * Do you have experience with budget management?
  • yes
  • no

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• List of References

Optional Documents

• Other

WMU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Protected veterans, individuals with disabilities and all other qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.