Under the general supervision of the Director of the Seaver Student Success Center the assistant director will oversee the coordination of student success and retention initiatives at Seaver College, including but not limited to academic coaching, monthly learning skills workshops, and other specialized and other success initiatives. This position assists in overseeing a staff of approximately 60-70 part-time, student employees. The assistant director for student success will envision and implement programming that provides students with equitable, high-quality, effective learning experiences that support student success and the mission of Pepperdine University. This goal may be achieved by creating new or enhancing existing efforts in support of improving college readiness and academic success initiatives; and providing oversight of the Student Success Center’s academic tutoring and mentoring programs.

Duties

• Develop, implement, and evaluate policies and procedures for the Student Success Center’s peer tutoring and academic support services. This includes designing and leading tutor training and professional development for student employees and staff when relevant, fostering collaboration with faculty and campus partners, and engaging in strategic planning to ensure services align with the department’s mission and evolving student needs.
• Promote excellence in department personnel through recruitment, selection, and evaluation, as well as promotion of professional development for student employees.
• Research and lead the development and implementation of specialized student success initiatives, such as Summer Bridge, Spring Scholars, and World Waves, with particular responsibility for identifying, pursuing, and securing additional resources and grant funding to sustain and expand existing and new programs.
• Develop and lead the World Waves cross-cultural peer-partner program supporting new international students. Responsibilities include hiring and training World Waves Student Leaders; collaborating with the Dean’s Office to identify an instructor for the HUM 295 course; planning community dinners with Malibu-based faculty and staff; organizing a cultural immersion experience in Los Angeles; and exercising judgment in addressing the evolving needs of World Waves participants and Student Leaders.
• Plan and facilitate the Summer Bridge program to support incoming first-year, first-generation, and low-income students. Responsibilities include independently organizing extracurricular events and activities to foster community among SSC staff, Summer Bridge participants, and student employees; creating student success–related learning materials and presentations; and co-facilitating a 1-unit Summer Program Student Success course.
• Oversee the maintenance and evolution of administrative software (e.g., Peoplesoft, Navigate); ensure appropriate participation and implementation.
• Solicit feedback from key institutional stakeholders (students, faculty, administrators, academic advisors, etc.) on a regular basis and develop academic programming improvement plans accordingly.
• Develop resources that advance student learning and academic success.
• Compile and present an annual report of tutoring and academic support programming and services, including quantitative and qualitative information related to assessment of student learning and development.
• Create and oversee the collection, evaluation, and assessment of SSC programs and services using both quantitative and qualitative data. The Assistant Director of Student Success is responsible for selecting and implementing appropriate assessment tools (e.g., surveys, rubrics, analytics platforms), analyzing and interpreting findings to determine program effectiveness, and providing evidence-based recommendations for service and program improvement. Responsibilities also include preparing and presenting assessment results in accessible formats (e.g., slideshows, one-pagers, reports) for key stakeholders, including SSC staff, faculty partners, university leadership, and other relevant external groups or personnel (e.g., donors).
• Problem solve and manage sensitive information with appropriate awareness of FERPA standards; maintain confidentiality and sensitivity to the privacy needs of students.
• Create messaging for Student Success Center, including newsletters, emails, video slideshows, and other materials.
• Engage in effective professional development and/or professional activities and organizations to stay current with and anticipate changes in higher education.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Uphold University mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required:

• Master's Degree or higher in Higher Education or related field.
• Three or more years work experience leading tutoring or academic success center operations at the college/university level.
• Experience working with diverse student populations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience supervising student employees.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively to uncertainty and constant changes.
• Ability to consistently be at work and on time, follow instructions (verbal and written), respond to management direction and solicit feedback to improve performance.
• Ability to embrace and promote a diverse environment.
• Working knowledge of Google Suite and MS Office programs and student database management systems.

Preferred:

• Experience in and understanding of best practices in tutoring, academic support services, peer education, and other retention programs.
• Experience developing, coordinating, and implementing student retention efforts and high impact practices designed to improve undergraduate retention and graduation rates of students.
• Developing, monitoring, and/or encouraging the negotiation of grants and contracts with potential community partners to generate revenue and enhance services.
• Experience collecting and interpreting data in order to produce and maintain reports of student success related programs, activities, and outcomes using tools such as EAB Navigate Student Success Collaborative.
• Knowledge of grant research, writing, and reporting to support and expand Student Success Center programming.
• Understand and carry out Pepperdine mission and strategic agendas including learning outcomes, cultural competency, and diversity.
• Foster effective collaboration.
• Communicate sensitive and/or complex information in a confidential and straightforward manner.
• Problem solve and handle multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft. and EAB Navigate Student Success Collaborative.

This is a Regular, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $68,640 - $72,000 per year 

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Individuals will be required to disclose any criminal convictions on a designated form after receiving a conditional offer of employment; failure to disclose accurate information may result in withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.