Director of Undergraduate Academic Advising & Student Success

About the Job

The Director of Undergraduate Advising and Student Success provides leadership and strategic direction to a team of undergraduate academic advisors in the College of Continuing and Professional Studies (CCAPS). This position is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of effective advising support for a student population across a diverse portfolio of undergraduate programs. Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, this role is responsible for overseeing the development of innovative, technology-enhanced advising initiatives that support academic and career goals, fostering retention, degree completion, and student success.

This position offers a flexible work arrangement as a hybrid position and has the unique opportunity to help shape and be responsible for the student experience.

The search committee will begin reviewing applications the week of March 9th.

* Please note, we are not offering H-1B or Green Card sponsorship for this position.

The University of Minnesota is committed to fostering local talent through employment opportunities. While this position utilizes a hybrid modality, prospective applicants must be located either in the state of Minnesota or near the Wisconsin border or otherwise open to relocation.

Strategic Leadership and Personnel Management - 40%

* Lead and direct the undergraduate advising team, providing a strategic roadmap to create a collaborative, student-centered environment and a culture of shared ownership and technological agility.

* Monitor team performance, conduct annual performance reviews, and provide ongoing coaching to accomplish professional and programmatic goals

* Establish goals, priorities, and AI-informed practices and procedures, identify opportunities to automate administrative workflows, allowing advisors to focus on high-touch student interactions.

* Identify evidence-based frameworks and develop data informed advising practices to build, implement and evaluate advising initiatives that promote student success.

* Provide input and support the Senior Associate Dean in the unit budget planning process for effective long term resource allocations

* Ensure faculty and advisors are informed of university-wide initiatives and academic progress standards.

Student Success, Retention Practices - 25%

* Oversee annual academic progress reviews, and lead data driven outreach efforts for enhanced retention

* Lead the design, implementation, and delivery of orientation programming for incoming transfer students.

* Develop and evaluate community-building initiatives and serve as the collegiate liaison for CCAPS undergraduate student organizations and honor societies.

* Coordinate the Undergraduate Peer Mentoring Program and support the CCAPS Mentoring Program.

* Facilitate student opportunities for research and study abroad

* Collaborate with the Director of Inclusive Excellence on student retention and engagement efforts, emphasizing equity and access.

Advising Operations and Management - 25%

* Serve as the primary liaison for advising and student services feedback on CCAPS curriculum development.

* Develop a student information hub and coordinate a strategic student communications plan for current and prospective students.

* Serve as the college's lead expert on digital tools (APLUS, APAS), ensuring data integrity and effective documentation.

* Support admission, degree progress, and degree clearance processes in collaboration with student services including degree requirement sheets, sample plans, and student-facing policies. Develop and oversee the permission number distribution process.

* Oversee student-facing internship management, including placement tracking, provider communication, and site development in partnership with faculty directors and Career and Internship Services (CIS).

* Resolve complex student issues and adjudicate petitions and appeals as a member of the CCAPS Scholastic Committee.

* Lead the advising team in interpreting and administering institutional policies to provide consistent, high-quality support for students.

University Liaison and Advocacy - 10%

* Represent CCAPS on university-wide committees, including the Advising Steering Committee, Advising Coordinators Group, Executive Advisory Group, Residency Appeals Committee, and others as needed.

* Serve as the college liaison to the Office for Community Standards, University Honors Program, Disability Resource Center, International Student and Scholar Services, and Student Ombuds Services, and others as needed.

* Collaborate with the Office of Admissions and CCAPS Enrollment Management on holistic application reviews and advise on annual admission targets.

* Partner with the CCAPS Alumni Engagement team to enhance student-alumni connections.

* Collaborate with CCAPS Marketing and Enrollment Management Team to support recruiting efforts and provide student success stories.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

* Bachelor's degree plus at least eight years of relevant…