Director of First and Second Year Experience

The Director of First and Second Year Experience will guide the implementation of competencybased programming efforts in support of a holistic, developmental, and comprehensive first and second year experience at Claflin University. As a member of the Student Support and Learning Services team, the Director will serve as an integral part of institutional retention and student success initiatives.

The Director of First and Second Year Experience will:

• Guide planning and implementation efforts for activities associated with the First Year Experience, including Orientation, UNIV courses, and communication plans for both students

   and families.
• Develop, promote, and implement a mission-driven and developmentally appropriate second year experience.
• Collect and aggregate all pertinent data pertaining to freshman and sophomore classes.
• Collaborate with campus stakeholders, forming and enhancing partnerships and student success strategies.
• Providing outreach to first year and sophomore students on academic warning, probation and suspension to conduct a self-assessment and develop a student success plan.
• Remain up to date on promising practices in First Year Experience, student transitions, student development, and emerging trends in the field.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and coach peer educators, such as Orientation Leaders.
• Develop, promote, and implement student success workshops designed to foster academic and metacognitive skills.
• Provide academic coaching and additional support for identified students, as identified by Advising Coaches and Retention Specialists.
• Serve as an integral member of the Student Support and Learning Services team, including leveraging adjacent student success resources to meet the needs of students.
• Serve on appropriate university committees to foster institutionalized support for student success initiatives.
• Serve on committees and complete projects as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

 Master’s degree in counseling, social work, education, or related area.
• At least five years’ experience with higher education advising, programming, and retention related initiatives.
• At least five years of supervisory or lead experience in higher education with students of a diverse population.
• Experience in leveraging passion and dedication for student success into measurable outcomes that improve the student experience.
• Knowledge of best practices for student retention and prior work with underserved student populations
• Knowledge of and commitment to the mission of Claflin University.
• Strong verbal, written, and listening skills in addition to strong technology and organizational abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and handle and prioritize simultaneous work assignments.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to cultivate effective relationships with a wide range of individuals (faculty, administrators, staff, students, and family

   members) and to work cross functionally.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and be sensitive to the needs of diverse populations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team exercising sound judgment.
• Creative and analytical thinker with strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to change and work in a fast-paced environment responding well under pressure.
• Must comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as well as with all university procedures and policies.

Preferred Qualifications
• Demonstrated success in improving program and service delivery and increasing student retention and graduation rates.
• Experience with multimedia communications and utilizing social media.
• Understanding of student development theory and current success coaching methodologies.
• Experience with strengths and interest inventories.
• Ability to assess performance and outcomes and thrive in a high accountability environment.
• Demonstrated success in providing friendly, high quality customer service.