Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) seeks a creative and experienced leader to serve as Director of Academic Advising.  Located in historic New Haven, a city rich in art and culture, Southern Connecticut State University is a diverse and student-centered university dedicated to academic excellence, access, and service for the public good. Southern provides a supportive and welcoming environment for all members of its community through a campus wide commitment to social justice.

Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, the redesigned Director position is a unique opportunity for a high energy, innovative, thoughtful risk taker to provide strategic leadership and vision for the full development and implementation of a comprehensive model of undergraduate advising.  Partnering with the Faculty Director of Undergraduate Advising, the Director is responsible for delivering a consistent and highly effective academic advising experience for all students, to help students who may be at a higher risk of disengagement due to their lack of connection with an academic department, and to help deepen the advising relationships for students within their majors.  Southern’s new model is inclusive of advising activities deemed to be essential for students who successfully complete a planned program of study in four years, and a constellation of additional advising actions beyond the traditional faculty-advisor model for various subgroups of students (undeclared, change of majors, transfer, and struggling students).  It presumes strong advising relationships that move beyond the course registration process to meaningful interactions that help students discover their potential, purpose, and passions.

The new Director will demonstrate capacity to transform eight academic advising centers (serving “neighborhoods” of associated academic departments) into hubs of connectivity and engagement grounded in social justice and inclusion. Additionally, the Director will ensure the department is responsive to changes in student demographics and emerging trends in academic advising; develop strong and effective partnerships with stakeholders across campus; optimize available technology for communication and the effective delivery of services; advance the mission and strategic direction of the university; positively impact university outcomes including recruitment and retention; and, implement effective data collection, analysis, and reporting systems that demonstrate desired outcomes and inform strategic resource allocation and direction. 

The Director of Academic Advising must have a master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, or related field and a minimum of five years’ full-time, progressive experience in academic advising within higher education or related area. The successful candidate will have a strong working knowledge of academic advising, student development, and student retention; direct experience working successfully with diverse populations, demonstrating multicultural competence, and demonstrating a clear commitment to social justice; highly effective written and oral communication skills with the ability to deliver information in a clear, concise and articulate manner to multiple stakeholder groups; proven leadership and management skills, particularly as they relate to advancing innovative practices, building strategic partnerships, and leveraging team capacity; and, effective staff development and supervision.

For priority consideration, please submit a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three professional references to Nancy Chucta at studentaffairs@southernct.edu.  Review of applications will begin on October 31, 2018 and the position will remain open until filled.  For additional information on the position including job responsibilities and requirements, visit the SCSU employment website at https://www.southernct.edu/faculty-staff/hr/jobs.html.
 

Southern Connecticut State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.