Basic Function and Responsibility:
The AVP supervises the departments of Academic Advising (including Study Abroad), Career Development, Online & Graduate Student Success, Undergraduate Retention, the Rhetoric & Writing Center, and the English Language Program at the University as well as the First Year Seminar program. The AVP also leads the University’s retention and career efforts (including chairing the Council for Student Success, development of an Undergraduate Institutional Plan for Student Success, career strategic planning), and utilizes research to address successes/challenges in student outcomes through strategic initiatives. 

Essential Duties:

1.              Supervision of Academic Advising:  Supervises the Director of Academic Advising and Success. Provides leadership to the campus in all aspects of academic advising for undergraduate students.  Assists and provides leadership in the development of university-wide policies, procedures, technological systems, communication, training, evaluation, and recognition for undergraduate advising. Academic Advising also includes oversight of Study Abroad Advising and Programming.    

2.              Supervision of Career Development: Supervises the Director of Career Development and Success. Provides leadership at the university for the career success of students, including recommendations for academic connections (e.g., internships, experiential learning, career advising).

3.              Supervision on Online & Graduate Student Success: Supervises the Director of Online and Graduate Student Success. Provides leadership to the campus in post-traditional and graduate student success and support.  

4.              Supervision of Undergraduate Retention & Success. Supervises the Director of Undergraduat3e Retention and Success. Collaborates with the director to analyze retention and graduation data, determine interventions and recommend systemic change. Oversees technology platform (currently EAB Navigate)?for student success. Consults with key leadership for retention and enrollment planning.

5.              Supervision of the Rhetoric & Writing Center: Supervises the Director of the Rhetoric & Writing Center. Collaborates with the director to support students, faculty and staff with their writing, primarily through the work of peer consultants.

6.              Supervision of the English Language Program: Supervises the English Language Program. Collaborates with the director and various campus partners to support this program that focuses on language learning that prepares students for success in their academic goals through an immersive, individualized learning experience.

7.              Collaborate with the Provost on Key Academic Initiatives: In partnership with the Provost, the AVP identifies and implements academic initiatives that foster engaged/experiential learning and student success. Particular attention will be given to high-impact practices (e.g., ePortfolio Collaborative, service learning, internships, study abroad, First Year Seminar), curricular and co-curricular integration, and strategies that positively impact enrollment.

8.              Leadership on Student Success Issues:  The AVP brings awareness of student success issues (retention, graduation, and career outcomes) to a higher level on campus by cultivating faculty and staff relationships, serving on numerous University committees, making presentations to faculty and staff, and providing annual reports and research results to the campus community.  As the champion of high-risk student groups (both for retention/graduation and career outcomes), the AVP seeks out service and policy problems and works to find solutions that support students, faculty, and other key partners. Examples of leadership include the oversight of the Council for Student Success, Sub-Committees, and annual research projects.  The AVP is a member of the Provost’s Executive Council and President’s Administrative Council, chairs the Council for Student Success, and supports faculty committees as needed (e.g., Core Committee, Faculty Senate, UCCC). Other ad hoc committee membership is often requested (e.g., Athletic Advisory Council, Student Health and Wellness Committee, Strategic Enrollment Planning Task Force, Graduate Services Council).

9.              University Planning for Student Success:  An important aspect of campus leadership is the development and annual review of an Institutional Plan for Undergraduate Student Success, with an emphasis on traditional undergraduate student success metrics. Retention, graduation and career outcomes are important for success (both for internal and external constituents), but attention to student learning, thriving, engagement, spiritual development, and other holistic measures of student success must be understood and integrated with these more pragmatic measures.  The Plan references retention and attrition trends (both at Biola and nationally), considers future initiatives that have the potential to positively impact any negative trends, and reviews previous retention efforts.  University Plans significantly feed into the institution’s enrollment projections and budgeting process.  Support from University Analytics is provided for this task.

10.           Technological Needs for Student Success: The technological and system needs for all umbrella areas in partnership with faculty and other key departments are coordinated by the AVP in partnership with IT, Office of the Registrar and other appropriate offices.  The AVP facilitates conversations to ensure that these systems are easy to use if interfaced by students and/or faculty. These systems include Biola Insight, Ellucian Advise and Degree Works, EAB Navigate, and Handshake.

11.           Curriculum Consultation for Student Success: The AVP is knowledgeable of curriculum (course offerings, enrollment planning, pre-requisites, experiential learning, student feedback, available seats for incoming students) and proactively partners with the Academic Deans, undergraduate department chairs, and other parties to strategize for student success.

12.           Accreditation Involvement: The continuous improvement process for accreditation requires significant attention to student success, primarily measured by student learning, retention, graduation, and career outcomes. The AVP is responsible for oversight of retention, graduation, and career reporting and writing within the accreditation process.

13.           Research: With the support of University Analytics and Educational Effectiveness, conducts research to determine Biola’s successes and challenges in the areas of student success (advising, retention, graduation, and career outcomes). Current research includes the Freshman Survey, College Senior Survey, National Survey for Student Engagement, annual career survey, and internal reporting on retention and graduation data.  Works to involve the faculty in the use of this research in the success of students.?

14.           Board Engagement: The AVP co-chairs the Student Development Sub-Committee alongside the VP for Student Development. In these meetings, student success data and priorities are presented for feedback and discussion.

15.           Budget Management:  The account budgets of Academic Advising, Student Retention, Student Success, and Career Development totaling over $2.5 million are under the responsibility of the AVP.

16.           Lifestyle/Support of Employees:  Participate in the spiritual growth, development, care and support of other employees assigned near this position.

Supervision Over:
The AVP supervises the Director of Career Development & Success, Director of Academic Advising & Student Success, Director of Online & Graduate Student Success, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Retention & Success, Director of the Rhetoric & Writing Center, the Director of the English Language Program and the Administrative Assistant to the AVP. The Student Success team is comprised of approximately 30 staff employees and 60 student employees.  

Supervision Received:
The AVP reports to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, with a dotted line to the Vice President of Student Development, and the Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing, and Communication.

Qualifications
General: Public and interpersonal communication skills.  Dynamic, positive personality.  Engaged with students and faculty.  Commitment to Christian higher education, passion for service to students, familiarity with Biola (and its curriculum), ability to work across traditional administrative lines, self-motivated, ability to motivate and impact others.

Education: M.A. in counseling, psychology, student development, higher education administration, communication, organizational leadership or related field required. Doctoral degree strongly preferred. Minimum 10 years higher education administrative experience required. Minimum five years of supervisory experience required.

Skills: Oral and written communication skills, research skills, attention to detail, diplomacy, teaching experience, computer skills.

Full-time, salaried position.