Executive Director, Student Engagement

Executive Director, Student Engagement

The University of Tennessee Southern

About the University

The University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern) is a small public university established in 2021 through the acquisition of Martin Methodist College, founded in 1870. Located in Pulaski, UT Southern stands as the fourth undergraduate campus in the UT System. It is the only public four-year institution of higher education between Chattanooga and Memphis, and situated along Tennessee’s southern border, the campus is conveniently located about 70 miles south of Nashville and 40 miles north of Huntsville, Alabama. The over 1,000 students enrolled at UT Southern enjoy a private, small-college experience at an affordable, public-university cost. Low student-teacher ratios, high classroom personalization, and the resources of a land-grant university system are among the many advantages students experience. Nearly 30 academic programs are available through the schools of business, education, arts and humanities, mathematics and sciences, nursing, and social sciences. The UT Southern Firehawks, competing in the Southern States Athletic Conference, have 19 nationally competitive athletic teams. Both the women’s and clay target programs have recently won national championships.

The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees recently approved UT Southern’s inaugural five-year strategic plan: Igniting Excellence. The strategic plan is built on three foundational pillars designed to guide UT Southern through its next phase of growth and development: enhance academic excellence and promote innovation; create transformational student experiences and foster student success; and establish greater connectedness and facilitate campus and community engagement.

The University of Tennessee Southern’s vision is to be the epicenter for education, community leadership, and workforce development in south-central Tennessee and a national model for higher education in rural America.

The mission of the University of Tennessee Southern is to:

• provide undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs grounded in the liberal arts and sciences that are designed to prepare students for careers and lives of continued learning;
• promote a diverse and globally conscious learning community that nurtures intellectual, social, and personal growth; and
• serve the region through educational, social, and cultural programs and through community outreach and development.

The Opportunity

The University of Tennessee Southern enthusiastically invites applications for the position of Executive Director, Student Engagement. This position is responsible for overseeing and providing leadership in various key areas to ensure student success and retention. This role involves coordinating academic advising and career development, student resources and accessibility, experiential education, FYE, counseling and wellness, and other student success initiatives, while also assessing new technologies and evolving learner needs.

Duties and responsibilities include,but are not limited to, the following:

• Serve on the Student Experience leadership team and assist the Vice Provost for Student Experience with oversight and management of the Student Engagement area
• Provide vision, strategic direction, and leadership for areas in Student Engagement with a focus on student success and retention.
• Provide Oversight for Academic Advising and Career Development including the areas of academic coaching; FYE and Ensure FYE Best Practices in Curriculum Design and Delivery; Disability Accommodations and Student Resources; Orientation, Intermural and Club Sports, and Co-Curriculars; and Counseling and Wellness
• Provides Leadership for Enhancing Persistence and Graduation Rates (graduate & undergraduate) and Eliminating Barriers to Student Success (processes & procedures)
• Work closely with the Vice Provost to Assist the Development of Area Strategic Plans, Goals, and Initiatives.
• Supervise Staff and Student Staff Directly and Indirectly Supervise and Cultivate Talent Development of Professional Staff
• Formulate, Disseminate, Interpret, and Enforce campus policies and procedures
• Provide Leadership for Planning, Developing, Implementing, and Evaluating Student Success Services and Initiatives
• Oversee and Monitor the Early Alert Case Management System and Facilitate Appropriate Interventions including training and assessment of the system.
• Serve as a resource for Students, Faculty, and Staff, and External Stakeholders on Student Success Matters
• Facilitate the Design and Delivery Campus Workshops on Student Success and Retention Oversee Academic Appeals Process for students on Academic Suspension.
• Collect and Analyze Retention and Performance Data to Identify Critical Needs and Develop Appropriate Resources
• Assess the effectiveness of programs and services as well as outcomes related to these programs and services
• Participate in strategic planning Assist with conducting departmental program reviews to provide internal and external evaluation of the administrative areas.
• Provide Leadership for Assessing New Technologies and Evolving Learner Needs

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree. Doctorate preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to articulate matters of complexity and nuance to multiple and varied groups of stakeholders across campus.
• Demonstrated success as a collaborator and relationship-builder, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and the ability to forge effective partnerships across a diverse university community to achieve results.
• Deep knowledge of national student success research, best practices and trends as well as knowledge and appreciation for innovative uses and integration of technologies to support student retention, progress, and success.
• Proven ability to initiate, lead and facilitate change, to adapt to changing conditions, and to work with the ambiguity that accompanies a public university.
• Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of UT Southern

Application Process

For full consideration, candidates should apply electronically using the link below with a 1) cover letter addressing their interestin and qualifications for the role, 2) a CV/resume, and 3) a list of at least three professional references (include name, email, phone number, and nature of the relationship).

Application Link

Compensation for the position will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits and much more. Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay a state income tax. For more information on the University of Tennessee’s benefits, visit https://hr.tennessee.edu/benefits/