Kenyon College is conducting a search for a qualified individual to fill the position of Director of Experiential Advising and Support. This is a full-time, 12-month administrative position responsible for supporting key programs in experiential learning and academic support, many of which are new and developing in response to Kenyon’s Strategic Plan. The position reports to the Dean for Academic Advising and Support. The responsibilities of the Director of Experiential Advising intentionally span the Academic and Student Affairs Divisions of the College, linking students to experiential opportunities and helping them understand the connections between those experiences to their academic work. As a key member of the student support team in the Academic Advising Office, this position will also collaborate with the Career Development Office, the Director of First-year Experience, the Dean of Student Development and other offices inside and outside the Academic Division.
Essential Responsibilities
- Serve as the inaugural director of Experiential Advising and Support within the Office of the Dean for Academic Advising and Support helping to shape this initiative and build a team.
- Work with the Career Development Office (CDO) and other campus/community partners to connect students to experiential learning–summer research, internships, volunteer opportunities, study abroad, etc.
- Help students connect on and off-campus experiences to their academic program and Kenyon’s new interdisciplinary initiatives.
- Ensure meaningful completion of experiential learning reflections, amplifying the benefits of those programs and helping students articulate outcomes.
- Ensure coordination with appropriate software platforms to track experiences and outcomes.
- Serve as a member of the Student Success team that is led by the Dean of Academic Advising , including managing a student case load, to bolster students’ academic and experiential success.
- Help shape and develop our new student mentorship program.
Liaise and Collaborate with Key Offices
- Collaborate with the CDO, the Office of Community Partnerships (OCP), the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) and the Summer Scholars Program on developing Experiential Learning metrics.
- Build connections across the Academic and Student Affairs Divisions to support holistic advising.
- Collect and furnish data and metrics reports to the Strategic Plan Implementation Team, the Office of Institutional Research, and relevant faculty committees on experiential learning.
Management:
- As the program evolves (within the Academic Advising Office), this position will oversee and direct a team dedicated to these new initiatives in both experiential learning and student support.
- Train and collaborate with Student Mentors (Peer Mentors), while helping to establish the student mentorship program and its evolution.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Success Factors
- The ideal candidate will possess a unique blend of professional expertise and inherent personal attributes that align with the mentorship-focused nature of this role. For example, this person will have a genuine and deep-seated commitment to the liberal arts mission and a vision for integrating hands-on learning. They will be proactive and resourceful, bringing ideas about new ways to fully advance this new role for Kenyon.
- Proven track record in student advising and success.
- Strong experience in program management and assessment.
- Interpersonal: ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, independent worker, but also a team player.
- Creativity: ability to recognize new methods, adapt to the changing needs of the office, and establish appropriate procedures.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Strong interest in liberal arts education: keep up with changes in the landscape for advising and experiential learning.
- Willingness to learn new skills, including changing software demands.
- Professional Discretion.
Minimum Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in higher education, working in advising, student support, or related administrative posts.
- Supervisory experience with a range of staff and student workers.
- Demonstrated strong ability in oral and written communication.
- Proven ability to develop and implement long- and short-range strategic plans.
- Master’s degree required or doctorate preferred –either in a relevant field or with clear demonstration of the candidate’s connections to the position.
Kenyon College is a nationally prominent, private liberal arts college where academic excellence goes hand in hand with a strong sense of community and close relationships among students and professors.
Compensation and Benefits
Salaries at Kenyon are competitive and commensurate with experience. In addition to an attractive salary, Kenyon offers benefits for employees and their family members. Children of employees are eligible for 100% tuition waivers at Kenyon, and through the Great Lakes Colleges Association, children of employees are eligible for 90% tuition waivers at nineteen other of the nation's finest liberal arts colleges.
We also offer health, dental and vision insurance, TIAA retirement, and many other benefits, including provisions for a spouse, families, and domestic partners. Details about benefits as well as conditions of employment are described more fully in our Staff Handbook.
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Kenyon College is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from all qualified individuals. It is the College's policy to evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. Kenyon College has a strong commitment to an inclusive environment that welcomes all voices and perspectives.