Associate Director of Academic and Student Affairs

The New School for Social Research (NSSR) seeks a creative, student-oriented, highly organized individual to coordinate and implement a range of programs for graduate students in the areas of academic advising and student engagement. In addition to providing general guidance to all NSSR students as needed, the Associate Director will be specifically charged with acting as the Dean’s Office’s point person in the development and implementation of retention initiatives for Masters students and Bachelor’s-Masters students, as well as new programming for students that advances the University’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice.

The NSSR, which enrolls over 800 students and offers Master’s and PhDs in the social sciences, philosophy and history, is known internationally for its commitment to progressive ideas and its rigorous, interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning. The New School is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and particularly seeks applications from members of underrepresented groups, as well as candidates who share this commitment.

The New School is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promises diversity and tolerance in all areas of employment, education and access to its educational, artistic or cultural programs and activities. The New School does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, religious practices, mental or physical disability, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, marital or partnership status, or any other legally protected status.

The Associate Director of Academic and Student Affairs plays a strategic leadership role in advancing graduate student success, engagement, and belonging within the New School for Social Research. Reporting to the Vice Dean, this position oversees academic advising operations while leading initiatives that strengthen student retention, enhance the graduate student experience, and support the university's commitments to equity, inclusion, and social justice.

Working collaboratively with faculty, university partners, and student-facing teams, the Associate Director develops innovative programs, resources, and services that foster academic achievement and community across the student lifecycle. This is an opportunity for a collaborative, student-centered leader to make a meaningful impact by shaping policies, programs, and experiences that contribute to the long-term success of NSSR students and the university's academic mission.

• Supervises NSSR’s advising staff, including its peer student advisor system, in providing assistance with registration, degree planning, and degree conferral to all NSSR students.
• Acts as the lead in the NSSR Dean’s Office in the development of resources and initiatives designed to boost enrollment and retention in the NSSR’s Masters and BAMA (Dual Degree) programs, including:
  • Developing community building activities for all Masters students.
  • Developing resources and communications designed for students in BAMA Early Admissions (BMAD) programs at Lang, from the point of students’ admission to BMAD to their matriculation to a Masters degree at NSSR.
  • Liaising with faculty leadership to develop events and other opportunities for BAMA students to be involved in NSSR departments while they are still in the BA portion of their BAMA degree.
  • Liaising with undergraduate advising in Student Success and Engagement to ensure accurate advisement of BAMA students
• Plans and implements new EISJ programming for NSSR students, with a particular emphasis on the development of new affinity groups for graduate students.
• Oversees the development and review of advising, registration, and degree conferral resources for NSSR students.
• Leads the creation and implementation of all NSSR orientation initiatives including: developing new orientation events and activities for BAMA Early Admissions (BMAD) students, both at the point of admission to the BMAD program and upon matriculation to the Masters portion of their dual degree; developing…