Ferris State University-posted 3 months ago
Full-time • Director
Big Rapids, MI
1,001-5,000 employees
Educational Services

The Director of Student Academic Affairs is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all administrative activities that support student success within the College of Business. This role ensures effective processes for student recruitment, matriculation, advising, registration, academic progress, and graduation across the main campus and statewide/remote locations. The Director serves as a central resource for students and families, faculty, and staff, and represents the College on university-wide initiatives related to student services and academic affairs. The position reports directly to the Dean of the College of Business.

  • Serve as the primary problem-solver and referral source for student issues related to academic support, advising, emotional well-being, academic integrity, and course or policy concerns.
  • Interpret and apply College and University policies and procedures; ensure adherence to ethical and professional standards.
  • Manage student academic progress (SAP), probation, dismissal, late drop/add/withdrawal appeals, and exceptions to academic policies.
  • Oversee processes for admissions, transfer evaluations, graduation standards, and enrollment compliance.
  • Coordinate advising assignments, program changes, and support for special student populations (e.g., first-generation, underprepared, veterans, international, students of color, students with differing abilities).
  • Coordinate and support College of Business student recruitment initiatives, including DAWG Days, open houses, and statewide outreach.
  • Lead college retention efforts, developing initiatives to support student persistence and graduation.
  • Oversee new student orientation for the College of Business, ensuring appropriate faculty/staff support and accurate scheduling for incoming students.
  • Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
  • Supervise professional advisors, staff, and student employees engaged in student academic affairs functions.
  • Manage office operations, including advising processes, orientation procedures, student employment budgets, scheduling, and recordkeeping.
  • Approve staff leave requests, ensuring office coverage to meet student needs.
  • Cultivate an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences.
  • Provide accreditation-related data for ACBSP, HLC, and other reviews.
  • Monitor budget allocations for student recruitment, retention, and related activities.
  • Act as College representative to university-wide groups and committees.
  • Liaise with external partners regarding transfer guides, articulation agreements, and curricular equivalencies.
  • Coordinate with Institutional Research and other offices to collect, analyze, and use data to improve student services.
  • Support faculty and staff in providing advising, student recognition, and engagement opportunities outside the classroom.
  • Maintain the Student Academic Affairs/Dean's Office Procedure Manual.
  • Recommend service improvements based on best practices and higher education research.
  • Oversee student engagement initiatives (e.g., student advisory board).
  • Perform any other duties assigned within the position classification area.
  • Master's degree in a relevant field.
  • Three or more years of higher education supervisory or leadership experience in student academic affairs or support services.
  • Demonstrated effectiveness in supporting a large and diverse student population across multiple academic programs.
  • Strong communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
  • Commitment to fostering student success and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Doctorate in a relevant field.
  • Skilled in data-informed decision-making and process administration.
  • Experience developing and implementing policies and procedures.
  • Proven success as a project manager with strong organizational skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, and solve problems constructively.
  • Ability to balance strategic vision with attention to detail.
  • Effective as both a team leader and collaborator.
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