George Mason University Hiring for Director of Undergraduate Academic Success at Fairfax, Virginia Full Time

Director of Undergraduate Academic Success

The George Mason University, Office of Undergraduate Education within the Provost Office, invites applications for the Director of Undergraduate Academic Success. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

About the Organization:

The Office of the Provost is the primary central administrative unit for the university’s academic programs. Its range of interests includes curriculum, instructional personnel, assessment, accreditation, international initiatives, and oversight of the overall academic mission. The Office of Undergraduate Education, within the Office of the Provost, provides over 26,000 undergraduate students with a quality, engaging undergraduate education and gives them the tools to be Engaged Citizens and Well-Rounded Scholars who are Prepared to Act in a Diverse, Global World. Undergraduate Education manages the Undergraduate and Mason Core Curricula, Academic Advising, Fellowships, and Undergraduate Studies. Undergraduate Education supports our Mason Impact activities, including undergraduate research through the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research, and Civic Engagement through the Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning.

Undergraduate Education provides leadership for the university community by:

• Creating transformational educational programs and initiatives; Building campus and community partnerships; Supporting student academic success; Facilitating Mason Impact activities; and Providing education and support for learning outcomes assessment.

The mission of the Office of Academic Advising (OAA) is to provide leadership for a consistent and quality undergraduate academic experience at George Mason University. The OAA consists of the Director of Undergraduate Student Success, an Assistant Director who manages a team of Exploratory Advisors, and two Advising Coordinators (one technology- and training-focused, and one coordinating pre-health advising). The OAA works collaboratively with academic units through the Academic Advising Liaisons Committee and the Mason Academic Advising Network to provide academic advising to students in programs across Mason, and with the Mason Care Network to provide holistic support for students. The OAA also directly advises exploratory, undeclared, and non-degree students, as well as coordinating pre-professional advising. The OAA collaborates broadly across Mason to support student academic success.

About the Position:

The Director of Undergraduate Academic Success is a collaborative leader who will implement Mason’s vision of inclusive excellence by overseeing academic advising and contributing to academic success initiatives. The Director will have a key role in Mason’s commitment to deliver consistent and high-quality academic advising and support to students. The Director will lead the Office of Academic Advising; coordinate academic advising practices across campus; and support efforts to improve key student academic success metrics. The Director will support development of policies and procedures to improve the quality of education experience, and serve in an advisory role for undergraduate curricular initiatives, including the Mason Core general education program. The Director will serve on a leadership team in Undergraduate Education to integrate advising and retention efforts with our other undergraduate programs, policies, and initiatives. The Director will be an advocate for a Mason academic environment that is committed to inclusive academic excellence, and that gives every student the opportunity to thrive.

Specific Duties include:

• Manage the Office of Academic Advising, including supervising an Assistant Director, Advising Coordinators, and overseeing Exploratory Advising; Establish Academic Advisors centrally in the Mason Care Network, collaborating with Student Success Coaching, Career Services, Mason Impact initiatives, Academic Support Services, and other partners as appropriate; Convene the Academic Advising Liaisons Council to support high quality and consistent advising and student success initiatives across the academic units; Lead retention and student success initiatives in collaboration with academic units, University Life, Enrollment Management, and transfer initiatives; Improve communication with students, advisors, faculty, and staff about undergraduate academic advising and success initiatives; Expand professional development and training opportunities for academic advisors in collaboration with the Mason Academic Advising Network; Develop support for advising, coaching, and high-impact practice across disciplinary themes; Partner with Career Services to infuse career readiness into academic advising; Oversee the resolution of academic actions and appeals, as managed by the Assistant Director of Academic Advising; Support developing, refining, and implementing a new advising/student success technology tool; Work collaboratively with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning, Admissions, Registrar, Academic Units, and University Life to create, share, and act on student success metrics and assessment data; Serve on the Policy Management Group, and collaborate with the Registrar’s office to help the advising community to develop and implement policies that increase student academic success; Expand student participation in Mason Impact activities: undergraduate research, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, study abroad, internships, and competitive fellowships; Serve on the Undergraduate Education Leadership team; Serve on additional task forces and committees as assigned; Serve as an advisory member on the Undergraduate Council and Mason Core committees, and support the development of student-success focused academic curricula; and Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in any discipline; or equivalent combination of education and experience; Comprehensive knowledge of best practices in advising and student academic success; Considerable (generally 5+ years) experience in academic advising or academic affairs, with increasing levels of responsibility; Experience working successfully in a team environment, while also taking initiative in working towards shared goals with minimum supervision; Demonstrated leadership, management, and supervisory experience in an academic environment; Demonstrated experience successfully managing campus-wide projects and initiatives at a college or university; Demonstrated commitment to the academic success of diverse students with a focus on inclusive excellence; and Excellent oral and written communication skills;

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in higher education, student development, or related field; College-level teaching experience; Experience in Academic Administration at George Mason University or a comparable college or university; and Active participation in NACADA or other professional organizations.

Special Instructions to Applicants  

For full consideration, applicants must apply to position number FA260z at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; then upload a cover letter, current resume, and a list of at least three professional references with contact information.

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.