Assistant Director for BIPOC Student Success

Division of Student Affairs

Job Description 

Position Title: Assistant Director for BIPOC Student Success

Department: Student Success Center

Modality: In Person

About the Student Success Center:

Using wellness, student development, and culturally competent frameworks and guided by trauma-informed practices, we connect students throughout their Millikin experience and beyond by providing wrap-around personal, academic, career, and other support. 

Job Summary: All positions in Student Affairs are expected to uphold and fulfill the mission, vision, values, and traditions of Millikin University and the Division of Student Affairs; promote student excellence, success, belonging, and accountability from enrollment to degree or program completion; and comply with policies, procedures, and applicable statutory laws and regulations. Under the guidance of the Dean of Student Success, the individual will help mentor, retain, and graduate primarily BIPOC students (black and indigenous people of color). The position serves as a resource to BIPOC students by being a supportive role model, sharing resources, and developing success plans for academic programs. The individual will assist BIPOC students in achieving their academic goals with an emphasis on supporting the student's holistic Millikin experience. The position requires occasional evening and weekend hours to support operations and signature events and will perform additional responsibilities related to operational and mission-critical needs. The individual will also serve, assist, and support non-BIPOC students as the need arises.  Approximate work percentages are as follows which are subject to adjustments: student support services 50%; administrative responsibilities 20%; collaboration with partners across campus 20%; and value-added (10%).

Examples of the essential responsibilities for the position include:

• Promoting Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Sense of belonging (e.g., foster welcoming environment; participate in and ensure staff participation in appropriate training and professional development; ensure accessibility to services; promote inclusive excellence in programming and service delivery; report policy, legal, and regulatory violations; etc.). 
• Collaborating with admissions teams to identify, recruit, and yield BIPOC students.
• Implementing consistent outreach strategies to build and maintain positive relationships with BIPOC students, their families, and, occasionally, alumni/ae.
• Using wellness, student development, and culturally competent frameworks and guided by trauma-informed practices, provide individualized and group-based developmental advising, career coaching, and other support to BIPOC and, as need arises, other students, especially those from “minoritized” backgrounds and diverse ability levels (e.g., develop personalized plans for improvement and monitor student progress throughout the semester; conduct Bi-weekly/monthly check-ins with students; develop a working relationship with all college departments faculty and staff and understand the academic curriculum; and attend select Millikin events to support BIPOC students and BIPOC-related student organizations).
• Assisting with preparing and implementing the University Bridge Program, EDGE, with unique activities for BIPOC students.
• Collaborating with Student Affairs and other departments (e.g., Math Center, Writing Center, and Office of the Registrar) to provide appropriate student referrals.
• Utilizing student information systems/platforms to provide effective and efficient information to students, faculty, and other constituents while maintaining student confidentiality in accordance with the Family Education Rights to Privacy Act.
• Serving as an advocate for BIPOC student success through frequent attendance at campus and community programs, events, and activities.
• Collaborating with Student Affairs colleagues to plan, implement, and evaluate unique engagement activities that promote community, fellowship, and sense of belonging among BIPOC students.
• Planning, implementing, and evaluating signature events (e.g., bring faculty, students, practitioners, and experts together to explore strategies that promote success for BIPOC students from enrollment to degree or program completion; plan and implement culturally-inspired celebrations honoring BIPOC students for their achievements; etc.).
• Attending and serving as a leader in appropriate professional associations to enhance skills, bring and share knowledge related to student engagement and success, and improve visibility and influence of Millikin University (e.g., NASPA). 

• Collaborating and partnering with campus offices to achieve student success metrics such as retention, engagement, graduation, and placement.   
• Participating in program and service-delivery evaluation and assessment activities. 
• Serving on appropriate university or community committees, councils, and boards as recommended by the supervisor, Vice President for Student Affairs, or University President. 
• Serving on a larger team of first responders for campus crises, including serving as a Student Affairs On-Call Team rotation member.
• Participating on the Student Intervention Team.
• Assisting with select responsibilities in the absence of the Student Success Coach or Associate Director of Student Success.
• Assisting with planning and programming related to signature campus events such as Orientation, Fall Family Weekend, Homecoming, Big Event, Welcome Week, Cookie Event Tradition, etc.

Minium Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired and  
• Prior experience performing duties related to the position as determined by start and end dates on the résumé. Graduate Assistantships will count as .50 time. Internships and Practical experiences will count as .25 time. 

Desirable Education and Experience

1. Master’s degree.

2. Related experiences in a college or university setting.

3. Experience advising student organizations.

4. Experience facilitating, teaching, and/or developing support programs.

5. Experience in student learning assessment or program evaluation.

6. Experience using software or database platforms related to the position.

7. Experience with Title IX or Student Conduct roles (e.g., intake, investigations,      hearings, training, etc.).

Required Skills and Abilities:

Skills

1. Communication skills: Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills. 
2. Self-management skills: ability to manage time effectively, learn and contribute to overall departmental tasks and goals.  
3. Project coordination skills: ability to lead or contribute to planning or organizing projects, programs, services, etc. 
4. Conflict resolution skills: ability to use interpersonal skills to develop and maintain positive professional relationships and resolve conflict in a team environment and with individuals from various diverse backgrounds and experiences. 
5. Analytical skills: ability to analyze information and offer sound recommendations.  
6. Computational skills: ability to perform basic mathematical computations to assist with financial operations and/or data collection, analysis, and reporting. 
7. Computer skills: proficiency with word processing and spreadsheet software, preferably Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, Outlook Calendaring, Office 365. 

Abilities

1. Ability to adhere to work attendance requirements. 
2. Ability to model self-care and well-being for colleagues and, most importantly, students. 
3. Ability to manage emotions, function effectively, and make sound decisions in stressful and crisis situations. 
4. Ability to handle multiple projects, services, activities, etc. in a timely and professional manner in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment. 
5. Ability to promote and achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion of multi-racial/ethnic, low-income, LGBTQ+, veteran, non-traditional, online, disability, first-generation, and others. 
6. Ability to be flexible, diplomatic, patient, service-driven, and a self-starter. 
7. Ability to work independently under limited supervision and in teams.  
8. Ability to make reasoned administrative and procedural decisions and judgments on sensitive and confidential issues.  
9. Ability to work evening and weekend hours based on operational need. 
10. Ability to comply with university vehicle-use requirements (some driving may be necessary, including transporting students and staff to approved events). 

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Preparatory knowledge: coursework, military, or work-based knowledge of, for example, student development theories, learning theories, organizational theories, risk management. 
2. Software/database systems: Ability to use software/databases related to student success initiatives.
3. Student knowledge: knowledge of generational college students and the ability to design generation- and audience-specific programs, events, and services. 
4. Accountability: experience with applying formative, summative, qualitative, and/or quantitative methodologies to assessing student learning outcomes and/or evaluating programs and services. 
5. Multimedia experience: ability to collaborate on or design brochures, event flyers, and/or newsletters and develop and manage social media accounts. 
6. Reporting experience: experience with program databases or software programs used to track, monitor, and report services to students. 
7. Ability to plan and execute programs and services based on social justice, cultural responsiveness, anti-racism, and civility. 

Examples of Measures of Success:

1. Participation outcomes.

2. Satisfaction outcomes.

3. Retention outcomes.

4. Graduation outcomes.

5. Attainment of Student Learning Outcomes.

6. Professional development experiences.

Work Environment:

The Division of Student Affairs at Millikin University is devoted to student success from enrollment to commencement. We are dynamic, agile, and culturally responsive. We guide, support, and, on occasion, challenge students as they develop, refine, and pursue their academic, career, and personal endeavors. All staff are responsible for creating a safe, welcoming, diverse, inclusive, respectful, and caring environment for students, colleagues, and visitors. We seek skilled and diverse colleagues who are student-focused, flexible, self-motivated, and will embrace and respect who we are and what we do. We also seek colleagues committed to moving the Division forward towards prominence and influence on campus, nationally, and within the Student Affairs profession. 

Before applying, we encourage interested individuals to spend time learning more about who we are, our values, and what we do: https://www.millikin.edu/about/administration/student-affairs. 

Manual Dexterity:

• Dexterity to operate a keyboard

Physical Effort:

• Typically sitting at a desk or table

• Occasionally lifting 25-50 lbs.

• Intermittently sitting/standing/stooping

• Hearing and visual acuity within normal range

Working Conditions:

• Typical working conditions found in most administrative work areas

Hazards: N/A