Who We Are
The Newnan Academic Advising Center is guided by our core mission to support undergraduate liberal arts students in achieving their success and growth by empowering them to make informed and purpose-driven decisions. Newnan is a forward-thinking organization of nearly 50 full-time professional staff members.
Our vision is to leverage data-driven, systematic approaches to cultivate inclusive student success initiatives and establish collaborative spaces where students can achieve their academic goals. We partner with students from orientation to graduation to help them:
- Co-Create Their Academic Journey: Helping students navigate degree requirements, policies, and procedures while matching their growing interests with the vast offerings of a liberal arts education.
- Synthesize Experiences: Guiding students to connect their learning inside and outside the classroom, talk through critical decision-making processes, and utilize extensive campus resources.
- Access Specialized & Pre-Professional Pathways: Providing robust advising and experiential learning for students and alumni exploring high-stakes fields through Pre-Health and Pre-Law Advising.
- Transition and Thrive: Spearheading specialized, inclusive programming for specific populations, including the Transfer Student Program, post-orientation initiatives for First-Generation Students, and the coordination of the annual Major/Minor Expo.
- Explore Custom Degrees: Administering and advising for the Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) degree, a unique and customizable academic pathway.
Job Summary
Overview
The Senior Director for the Newnan Academic Advising Center and General Studies Program is responsible for the development and assessment of innovative undergraduate advising programs and practices for over 19,000 undergraduate students in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts that are grounded in best practices and research in advising and student success. This position also oversees the Bachelor of General Studies Program. While providing strategic leadership, daily administration, and process improvements for a center of nearly fifty full-time professional staff members, the Senior Director will also have additional responsibility for advising initiatives and services for the College's Undergraduate Education division, including work with departments and faculty.
The successful candidate will play a key role in developing advising initiatives and programs while collaborating with other areas to support students in the College and the university. They will be expected to build relationships across the College and university around advising and student support, and spearhead innovative and data-driven efforts to enhance the ever-evolving undergraduate student experience in the tradition of the liberal arts at the university. The Senior Director reports to the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education and Student Affairs as part of their senior leadership team. They work collaboratively as a key partner on overarching OAD strategic initiatives. They are also expected to directly supervise a team of supervisory Directors, Associate Directors, Coordinators, as well as several administrative assistants.
Responsibilities*
Leadership of the Newnan LSA Academic Advising Center (40%)
- Executive leadership for the center, which includes functional areas in general academic advising, student success, pre-professional advising, and new student programs. Support leaders within each area to set direction and deliver a comprehensive advising program that supports students from admission to graduation.
- Develop, execute, and assess innovative undergraduate advising, pre-professional advising, new student programs, and student success interventions.
- Set strategic directions for the center based on the college and university goals, while engaging best practices from research and national trends.
- Oversee the administration of a portfolio of annual advising and student success programs and events.
- Administer the College's Bachelor of General Studies degree program, including new initiatives to support and grow the program.
Leadership, supervision, and staff development (30%)
- Provide leadership for a complex organization of nearly 50 professionals while cultivating a positive organizational culture that centers on student success.
- Supervise and manage the daily work of a team of directors, associate directors, coordinators, and administrative assistants within the center.
- Lead efforts to hire, train, coach, and develop staff.
- Ensure accountability, communication, and effective operations of the center.
College and University Advising Leadership (20%)
- Lead College efforts related to undergraduate student academic advising, including the development of new initiatives and programs
- Engage as a leading partner in college and university advising leadership to support shared advising initiatives and governance groups.
- Coordinate collaborative efforts with LSA departments to promote effective coordination of advising services for students while developing advisor-facing resources and training.
- Collaborate with the other LSA advising units and other partners on programs and services for the College's undergraduate education division
- Coordinate the annual LSA advising awards process
- Serve as a leading resource for instructional and support staff around student advising and academic policy matters
Service and Special Projects (10%)
- In collaboration with the assistant dean and the other members of the senior leadership team, assist in developing short- and long-range planning efforts
- Along with the other OAD directors, create and execute programming for OAD meetings, including all-staff meetings
- Represent OAD and the College as liaison to key university and community stakeholder groups, including responding to difficult student and parent cases as needed
- Provide assistance and/or represent OAD on various faculty, administrative, or student committees, task forces, or working groups, internal and external to the College
Required Qualifications*
- An advanced degree in a related field (higher education and student affairs, counseling, or liberal arts) and a minimum of seven years of experience in higher education student success or academic advising, including at least five years in a progressive leadership or supervisory role.
- Strong background in higher education academic advising and student success trends.
- Proven ability to supervise, train, and develop staff, including the demonstrated ability to recruit, retain, mentor, and build a positive organizational culture.
- Understanding of student development, high-impact practices, and student success work in a university setting.
- Direct experience managing budgets to accomplish strategic goals while maintaining compliance.
Desired Qualifications*
- Doctoral degree in a relevant discipline.
- Track record of successful implementation of innovative practices, processes, and programs related to the undergraduate student experience, including their evaluation and assessment
- Experience building strategic and sustainable cross-organizational partnerships
- Demonstrated ability to lead change and innovation in a complex organization
- Organizational leadership skills with the ability to establish positive and respectful working relationships with students, staff, and faculty.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.