Assist Dir Student Persistence - Columbia College

Columbia College Chicago is an acclaimed undergraduate and graduate institution that provides a comprehensive education in the arts, communications and public relations. We constantly aim to reach our full potential as an educational innovator, incubator of new creative practice and generator of real-world success for young creatives. We are in the heart of Chicago, across the street from historic Grant Park, and housed in some of the most iconic buildings in the South Loop. 

Columbia College Chicago a private urban institution of over 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students, four-year College offering a distinctive curriculum that blends liberal arts, creative and media arts and business is currently searching for an Assistant Director Student Persistence.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Director of Student Persistence plays a significant role in the support of our students, and with the intended goal of increasing student support and student success rates. This individual is the point person for an integrated notification system, designed to assist faculty and staff in supporting student persistence to graduation. In addition, this individual plays a critical role in the evaluation, processing, and response to all student Petitions for Exception (PFE). The Assistant Director regularly consults with the Director and other student support team members to coordinate outreach to students, related support for faculty and staff, and management of the alert system. There is frequent contact with students dealing with matters of a sensitive or personal nature, with staff and faculty, and regular contact with parents and outside organizations.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the primary point person from Academic Services while adjudicating all Petitions for Exception (PFEs), requests for financial and academic consideration due to mitigating circumstances. This committee includes additional voting members from the Office of the Registrar, Student Financial Services, and Student Affairs.
• Manage the College’s alert system, coordinating and providing support to students experiencing academic and personal difficulties.
• Contact students who have alerts, in order to assess their needs, provide support and discuss concerns.
• Serve as the primary point person while interfacing with campus faculty and staff on sensitive student issues regarding submitted academic at-risk alerts, and PFEs.
• Coordinate responses to faculty and staff who enter notifications/alerts for students experiencing difficulties.
• Assist with the implementation and usage technology, including the Student Success Collaborative (SSC) Navigate software.
• Maintain close working relationships with academic departments and support resources throughout the College, in order to achieve effective and efficient interventions with students.
• Attend regular meetings with key colleagues, particularly in the Dean of Students Office, in order to review student cases and coordinate additional follow up.
• Synthesize feedback and oversee assessment of the academic alerts and PFEs to determine the effectiveness of the program in order to make enhancements.
• Remain up to date on changes in College policies and procedures.
• Help to create and maintain training materials for alert system users and implement user training for faculty and staff.
• Stay informed with current best practices of similar support and early alert programs.
• Assist with campus wide presentations, events, training sessions and promotional activities including but not limited to New Student Orientation.
• Assist with the development and implementation of special programing, including but not limited to workshops and online resources for students, particularly those who are academically at-risk.
• Supervise graduate students hired to assist with student outreach and support.
• Perform special projects and/or other duties, as assigned or required.

• Master’s Degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of five years of experience providing support to students in a college setting.
• Knowledge of student development theory is a plus. 
• Self-motivated with the ability to quickly learn the Columbia College Chicago academic programs and support services. 
• Ability to quickly learn and articulate College policies and procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to relate effectively with students, faculty, administration, and co-workers from diverse backgrounds. 
• Excellent technology skills required, and the ability to work with multiple systems and to assist with the training and support of others using these systems. 

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits. 

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement and real-world experiences.

Additional Information

• Position subject to a background screening.
• This is a union position. 
• This position is overtime eligible.

Qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.