Dir. Student-Athlete Academic Success

POSITION TITLE: 

Dir. Student-Athlete Academic Success

COMPENSATION RANGE:

 62,000.00 - 65,000.00 USD per year

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POSITION TITLE: 

Dir. Student-Athlete Academic Success

COMPENSATION RANGE:

 62,000.00 - 65,000.00 USD per year

Apply Now

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION:

 Professional Administrative

DEPARTMENT: 

Student-Athlete Academic Success

TARGET HIRE DATE:

 12/2/2024

BENEFITS: 

UNC’s Career Hub

 

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 10/30/2024.

Position Summary:

The Director of Student-Athlete Academic Success (SAAS) (E99720) oversees the comprehensive development of student-athletes, offering academic support, supplemental advising, and intervention services through the Student-Athlete Academic Success Center (SAASC). In alignment with UNC's commitment to student-athlete success, the Director ensures compliance with academic policies set by the university, the Big Sky Conference, and the NCAA. This role is essential for fostering student-athlete persistence and supporting their timely graduation.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Student Academic Success, the SAAS Director is an involved Student Academic Success leadership team member. The Director also works closely with Athletics staff, including coaches, the Senior Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator (SWA), the Director of Compliance, and the Athletics Director. Participation in Athletics’ senior staff meetings is expected. The SAASC staff serves as the primary advising office for undeclared (Exploring) majors and provides supplemental advising and success coaching for declared student-athletes. As such, the SAASC team is an integral member of the professional advising network.

“UNC professional advisors and coaches provide holistic, inclusive support helping students navigate the institution and meet their academic and personal goals through building meaningful relationships and intentional advising practices.” UNC aims to cultivate consistent advising practices and experiences for students across campus. Advising practices that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion are also desired. Therefore, the training and development opportunities designed and delivered by the strategist should align with these commitments and with the National Academic Advising Association’s (NACADA) core values and competencies. NACADA’s core values are Respect, Professionalism, Integrity, Inclusivity, Empowerment, Caring, and Commitment. The core competencies developed by NACADA provide a strong framework for the context, substance, and critical skills essential to effective and transformative advising.

Job Duties:

I. Strategic Leadership
Establish and enact a strategic plan and vision for the Center that aligns with SAS and the University’s mission and vision.
Responsible for ensuring an inclusive, engaging, welcoming, and respectful work environment and culture.
Actively advocates and promotes the most effective and institutionally appropriate approaches to advising.
Ensure staff is held accountable and their practices align with the Advisor Network statement of practice and follow NCAA guidelines.
Ensure that the SAASC team can effectively perform the outlined duties associated with their role. Lead and guide the SAASC, advising efforts to support campus-wide interventions such as the early alert/progress reporting campaign and registration nudges.
Hire, train, and supervise 3.0 FTE and 3-5 graduate student employees.
Guide the SAASC team in developing individual goals annually and provide at least two formal opportunities for evaluation: at the end of the fall and at the end of the fiscal year.
Monitor staff documentation and referral practices (and coach/intervene as appropriate) to ensure alignment with FERPA, the Advisor Network standard of practice, and relevant University, NCAA, and Big Sky policy and procedure standards.
Work closely with the Advising & Success Strategist on training and development needs and opportunities.
Establish and maintain high-quality partnerships with faculty and staff across campus.

II. Student-Athlete Success
Academic Support & Advising
Develop and oversee academic support services tailored to the needs of student-athletes.
Provide primary and supplemental academic advising and success coaching to ensure student-athletes meet eligibility requirements and degree completion timelines. Ensure the Student Athlete Advisory Committee has a SAASC student-club sponsor/advisor. Provide timely and accurate information regarding student athletes' academic progress and communicate necessary information to critical stakeholders (athletic staff, SAS staff, etc.). 

Promote Personal & Leadership Development
Encourage student-athletes to participate in programming and services that focus on their holistic development, including leadership, time management, and life skills. Promote the financial literacy, mental health, and career planning resources available on campus to prepare student-athletes for life beyond sports. Encourage student-athletes to participate in Athletics' Champions for Life program. Promote resources available to student-athletes utilized through the Center for Career Readiness.

Student Retention & Graduation Initiatives
Develop strategies to increase retention and graduation rates among student-athletes. Monitor at-risk student-athletes and implement support measures to prevent attrition. Case management for unique student situations and identified sports and ensure SAASC conducts student-athlete needs assessments, develops individual success plans tailored to individual student’s interests, and identifies opportunities for support. Provide logistical support for book scholarship distribution.

Student-Athlete Mental Health & Wellness
Prioritize student-athlete wellness and collaborate with campus services for counseling and support. Provide immediate intervention or referrals for personal or academic crises student- athletes face.

III. Compliance with NCAA, Big Sky, and University Regulations
Ensure student-athlete eligibility is maintained by serving as an essential member of NCAA Eligibility Certification Team.
Ensure the SAASC staff complies with all NCAA, Big Sky, and UNC rules and regulations related to academic issues.
Ensure student-athletes comply with NCAA or conference academic eligibility requirements.
Stay updated on changing regulations and communicate these effectively to student-athletes and staff.
Assist in the development and execution of strategies to maintain academic eligibility.
Assist in monitoring and tracking continuing eligibility standards for all student-athletes and create necessary success strategies.
Admissions review for transfer student-athletes to determine transfer eligibility and actively work with Athletics to minimize situations where a transfer student-athlete declares a major that inhibits their eligibility.
Participate in and help facilitate eligibility training for student-athletes, SAASC staff, and advisor network.

IV. Collaboration with Coaches, Sports Administrators, Faculty/Staff
Work closely with coaches, faculty, the advisor network, and other university departments to ensure student-athletes receive the necessary academic and personal support.
Act as a liaison between student-athletes, academic advisers, and professors when needed.
Work closely with the FAR on student/faculty issues.
Maintain regular contact with Sports Administrators.

V. Data Collection & Reporting
Collect and analyze student-athlete academic performance, retention, and graduation rates data.
Oversee data collection and reporting for the APP program. Educate staff on APR rates and develop success plans when necessary.
Prepare reports for internal stakeholders.
Participate in Program Review for Co-Curricular areas, as required by UNC, in compliance with HLC standards.

VI. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Sense of Belonging
Maintain a welcoming and inclusive culture supporting student-athlete and SAASC staff success.
Promote inclusive practices and ensure that services and practices support the unique needs of a diverse student-athlete community.
Address challenges underrepresented student-athletes face, including racial, gender, and socioeconomic issues, through advocacy and collaboration with other departments. 

VII. Budgeting & Resource Allocation
Responsible for the direct oversight of the SAASC budget for FY25 of $306 101, including signature authority on account(s), approval of center expenditures, and reconciliation with p-card and insight reports.
Work closely with the ASC Business and Account managers on necessary budget changes based on department and institutional priorities.
Cultivate strategic partnerships with campus partners to optimize and enhance student-athlete usage of support services.
Coordinate with the graduate school to provide graduate students valuable professional development opportunities by working with student-athletes.

Minimum Qualifications:

A master’s degree is required in a relevant or transferable skills field, such as Sports Administration, Higher Education, Psychology, Organizational Psychology, or Sociology.

A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in a related field.

At least two years in a leadership-type position within a student-athlete support unit or demonstrated progressive leadership experience in a department focusing on student-athlete success.

Benefits:
Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.

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About UNC
The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC’s commitment to education began in 1889 and continues to be a transformational force for our students. According to CollegeNet’s Social Mobility Index,UNC ranked #1 in social mobility (2022). UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit UNC’s Career Hub,to learn more about UNC’s strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears!

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
The University of Northern Colorado believes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is the pathway to achieving an inclusive community and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. UNC supports the growth of individuals who care about race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, lifestyle, age, educational background, national origin, religion, or physical ability – to honor the intersectionality of our campus. Please visit UNC’s Career Hubto learn more about UNC’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

AAEO Employer
The University of Northern Colorado is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer that is committed to a culturally diverse staff, faculty, and student body.

The University will not engage in unlawful discrimination in employment or educational services against any person because of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Veteran status and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is the University’s policy to prohibit discrimination in employment or educational services on the basis of sexual orientation or political affiliation. The University will likewise take affirmative action to ensure that student applicants and enrolled students are treated during the enrollment at the University without regard to race, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. Such affirmative action shall include, but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff, retirement, or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training, including apprenticeship. Furthermore, the University will post in conspicuous places, notice setting forth the provisions of this University’s Equal Opportunity Policy.

Federal regulations require that the University of Northern Colorado retain all documents submitted by applicants. Materials will not be returned or copied for applicants.

Background Check
Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire.

This position is contingent on funding from the Colorado State Legislature, approval by the Board of Trustees, and subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Northern Colorado.

Clery Act
In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.

 

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