About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
The Director of Advising and Pathway Programs manages a comprehensive advising program for academic programs within the University Without Walls Division. Ensures high quality advising and academic services for all students, with particular emphasis on programmatic needs for online, non-traditional, and exploratory students. Leads the development and delivery of programs and services that will enhance student success, retention, and the student experience. Provides leadership for current student pathway programs and collaborates in the development of new programs. Responsive to the widely varied needs of diverse student populations and works in a high volume and fast-paced work environment.
Essential Functions
- Leads a team of advisors providing services for students in the following University Without Walls (UWW) native programs: University Without Walls Department of Interdisciplinary Studies (UWW-IS), Exploratory Pathways Program (EPP), the Interdisciplinary Exploratory Track (IET), Jump In, and students enrolled in non-degree courses.
- Trains, mentors, supervises and evaluates professional advisors to ensure high-quality and highly responsive academic advising services. Manages caseloads based on enrollment trends and program needs.
- Performs academic dean duties for non-degree, Exploratory Pathways Program (EPP), and Interdisciplinary Exploratory Track (ET) students, which includes approving appeals for late withdrawals, late drops, requests for refunds, and credit overloads.
- Serves as the First Year Seminar Coordinator for the unit and represents UWW in cross-departmental meetings. This includes recruiting and hiring graduate student instructors, designing the FYS curriculum for both Jump In and the Interdisciplinary Exploratory Track, training FYS instructors on delivering the curriculum, and finding resources to support first-year student transition to college.
- Collaborates with Chief Undergraduate Advisor and Department Chair of UWW, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies (UWW-IS) to improve advising processes and procedures to best support non-traditional students completing their bachelor’s degree online.
- Manages student communications and outreach during important points in the semester (add/drop, withdrawal, registration, graduation) using various communication tools such as Marketing Cloud, Navigate360, and Outlook.
- Oversees and directs the Interdisciplinary Exploratory Track, which includes providing programmatic leadership and direction for all recruiting/yield events and new student orientation events, as well as managing all advising services for students exploring their interests and undecided on their major. Oversees and directs the Exploratory Pathway Program (EPP), which includes developing and implementing recruitment programming, as well as analyzing complex data sets to expand outreach and recruitment initiatives.
- Coordinates and provides programmatic leadership for the Jump In program, which includes collaborating with campus partners to develop communication journeys and marketing plans, identify course offerings each year, manage registrations and enrollments, update the content of the website, and collect and evaluate program feedback to improve the program year after year.
Other Functions
- Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet unit and University goals and objectives.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Master’s degree plus three (3) years of professional experience in advising or promoting student success.
- Demonstrated capacity for supervision.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently to organize multiple tasks and set priorities for action, in a fast-paced office environment.
- Ability to stay abreast with a high volume and wide array of complex curricular information and academic policies and procedures.
- Ability to collaborate, build relationships and interact with faculty, staff, students, parents and community members in a responsive, friendly, and professional manner.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
- Intermediate level computer proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, and database programs.
- Demonstrated ability to use data analytics and associated tools to proactively identify complex patterns across student outcomes; ability to organize and evaluate the success of programming, workshops, campaigns, and communication channels.
- Experience working with culturally diverse students with a range of academic abilities.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Familiarity with computer-based registration and academic records technology, such as Spire, Navigate, Slate, and Tableau.
- Relevant supervisory experience.
- Knowledge of University academic rules and regulations.
- Previous experience at a Higher Education Institution.
Work Schedule
- Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
- 37.5 hours per week.
- May be required to work some nights and weekends.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Typical office environment.
Salary Information
Level 28
PSU Salary Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume, and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.