Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to InclusiveVT-serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. We seek candidates who adopt and practice the Principles of Community, which are fundamental to our on-going efforts to increase access and inclusion, and to create a community that nurtures learning and growth for all of its members. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world.

Position Summary:
The Director of University Studies is responsible for oversight of two populations of students who are exploring their academic options at Virginia Tech: University Studies (US) and Explore Technology (XT). Both US and XT are non-degree granting majors and students are encouraged to explore, decide, and transition into their degree granting program before their third year of enrollment.
The Director of University Studies oversees an intrusive system of student educational planning and support. Therefore, the Director will be responsible for closely collaborating with the professional advising staff to provide vision and leadership to the unit. The Director of University Studies reports to the Assistant Provost for Academic Advising Initiatives and is responsible for the integration, facilitation, coordination, synthesizing, enabling, and fostering of outcomes driven efforts in University Studies that support student success (e.g., retention, persistence and graduation). These objectives are achieved through development of a seamless recruitment, admission, advisement and transitional processes.
The Director works closely with other members of the Undergraduate Academic Affairs team, each of the academic colleges and the campus community to accomplish comprehensive student engagement and completion goals. Some evening and weekend work and travel is required.
Specific duties include:
• Conduct all operational aspects of both the University Studies and Explore Technology programs, including supervision of professional advisors, support staff and budget.
• Develop and implement strategic enrollment outreach campaigns to support the institution's student retention goals, while analyzing and utilizing data to strategically plan for desired outcomes
• Integrate theory and best practices, as designated by professional organizations such as NACADA , to enhance advising programs and services
• Develop and coordinate advising services for all students including those who represent special populations (i.e., academic probation and suspension, first-generation, underrepresented, students with disabilities, transfer)
• Provide vision for enhancing the first-year experience program
• Explore and advance curricular options for the exploratory student
• Assess effectiveness of advising programs and services to inform decision making based on CAS standards
• Ensure students are provided consistent, accurate and prompt advising services, coordinating with academic departments
• Maintain an advising load and works directly with students to accomplish educational goals
• Represents University Studies in university governance and student support initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in advising or an academic discipline which would support the advising function.
• Progressively more responsible work experience in advising and/or student success programs.
• Significant leadership experience in a higher education setting.
• Teaching experience in a college setting.
• Knowledge and ability of student development theory and practices used to foster student learning.
• Successful supervisory and management experience.
• Knowledge of higher education delivery systems and student retention.
• Basic computer literacy and knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written form.
• Ability to effectively relate to students of diverse ages and backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Earned doctorate in Student Services, Education Administration, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of or experience in a large, public, research intensive institution.
• Demonstrated experience using predictive analytics, degree audit and retention planning tools.
• Knowledge of assessment strategies appropriate to academic advising.



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