Associate Director, Student Success

Lamar University•Beaumont, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting jointly to the Dean’s Office within the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) and the Division of Enrollment Management and Marketing, the Associate Director provides strategic leadership and supervision for the undergraduate student services team. The position leads the COAS advising team, directs the Pre-Professional Program, facilitates transfer pathways and transition initiatives, oversees student retention efforts, develops first-year experience initiatives, and supports COAS student organizations. The role advances academic achievement, persistence, engagement, and student support across the college through strategic planning and collaboration with faculty, staff, and university partners. The Associate Director oversees advising, registration, student engagement, and first-year experience services; leads staff recruitment and development; coordinates COAS and Pre-Professional Program initiatives; and provides mentoring and guidance. The position also serves as the university’s JAMP Director, advises eligible students, coordinates program activities, and represents the university at relevant conferences. Working with enrollment and recruitment colleagues, the Associate Director develops and evaluates student success plans, analyzes data, and recommends improvements to recruitment, retention, persistence, degree completion, and career readiness efforts. The role develops and coordinates support for students facing academic, personal, or financial challenges, collaborates with campus partners on interventions, and works with student organizations to deliver events and development opportunities. The Associate Director also helps former students re-engage with COAS or Pre-Professional programs and contributes to efforts to improve six-year graduation rates. This is an on-campus, in-person position with a regular schedule of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with some early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Event attendance and participation in recruitment, yield, and retention activities may be required. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship. The position is security-sensitive and subject to criminal history record checks.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
At least 3 years of progressive higher education experience or related experience in advising, student success, or student services.
Official transcripts are required at the time of employment.
Strong leadership skills and ability to inspire, guide, and collaborate effectively with teams and individuals.
Project management expertise, attention to detail, and ability to multitask, including in high-pressure situations.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Strong customer service and written and oral communication skills when engaging with industry leaders, representatives, faculty, staff, and students.
Strong editing and proofreading abilities and ability to interact with staff at all organizational levels.
Discretion and commitment to confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
Ability to lift and move supplies weighing up to 50 pounds as needed; set up and tear down event materials; stand and walk for extended periods; and walk across campus and varied terrain.
Must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

At least 3 years of supervisory and leadership experience, including supervising full-time professional, administrative support, and student staff.
Professional experience in an enrollment management environment and familiarity with student success, student engagement, and support services.
Proficiency in academic advising and counseling.
Experience with technologies such as DegreeWorks, Banner, MyScholarships, social media platforms, event design and reservation platforms, purchasing systems, and CRM systems such as Slate.
Advanced technical and computer skills, including MS Office Suite, especially PowerPoint, Excel, and database management.
Familiarity with electronic calendar management and videoconferencing applications such as Outlook, Zoom, and MS Teams.
Diplomacy, professional appearance and demeanor, and excellent attendance.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for the Student Success team and its advising, registration, student engagement, and first-year experience services.
Recruit, train, develop, and evaluate staff while fostering a collaborative, student-centered environment.
Lead COAS advising and direct the Pre-Professional Program; coordinate initiatives supporting student achievement, academic progression, and career readiness.
Mentor students and team members and promote professional development, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Help pre-professional students prepare competitive professional-school applications and develop community partnerships for shadowing, internships, and experiential learning.
Serve as the university’s JAMP Director; oversee participation, advise eligible students, coordinate program requirements and activities, and represent the institution at JAMP and TAHP conferences.
Develop, implement, maintain, and evaluate annual student success plans with the Enrollment Coordinator and Recruitment team.
Collect, analyze, and interpret student success, enrollment, retention, and career-readiness data; assess program effectiveness and recommend strategic improvements.
Develop and implement support programs for students facing academic, personal, or financial challenges, coordinating academic support, counseling, tutoring, and other interventions with university and college partners.
Collaborate with COAS and Pre-Professional student organizations to plan social events, workshops, and networking opportunities aligned with students’ academic and career development needs.
Address student needs and concerns, facilitate communication, and advocate for student interests.
Design and implement programs with the University Student Success team to support first-year student transitions.
Collaborate with Dean’s Office and Enrollment Management leadership to align departmental activities with institutional objectives.
Work with Enrollment Management Marketing/Recruiting on college-wide and pre-professional initiatives, including re-engaging former students and promoting six-year graduation rates.
Attend and participate in departmental, college, and university events, including recruitment, yield, and retention activities.