Assistant Provost of Student Advising and Academic Success Programs

Responsibilities of the Position

Reporting to the Associate Provost for Student Academic Engagement and Success, the Assistant Provost of Student Advising and Academic Success Programs (Assistant Provost) will oversee approximately 35 centralized advising and academic support staff in the University Advising Center, Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center, and Office of Academic Skill Development. Success programs include academic transition counseling, tutoring, a writing center, and academic and personal development courses available to all undergraduate students. The Assistant Provost will manage enrollment outcomes for first-year and transfer pre-majors and select declared majors; set and evaluate performance goals for advising staff across the University that align with the institution’s University strategic goals to improve first-year retention and four- and six-year graduation rates; and develop new approaches to advising and academic support to strengthen first-year academic outcomes. The Assistant Provost will communicate with critical constituencies through web and print communications; establish and lead close collaborations with pre-major and declared major advisors in the five undergraduate schools; and work with the Office of Student Financial Services, University Registrar, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and the Division of Student Affairs to complete specific tasks. The Assistant Provost will also manage the operational budget, and designated gifts, and endowments.

In addition, the following responsibilities correspond to the job expectations of the Assistant Provost:

• Oversee strategic planning, data management, and data analysis regarding academic performance and enrollment outcomes of undergraduate students; use data and alignment with strategic goals to determine the best investment in resources dedicated to academic support and improving undergraduate student academic outcomes while reducing inequities across groups.

• Demonstrate commitment and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues within the student population and an ability to develop solutions to address equity gaps in resulting outcomes; use a continuous improvement model within the offices to evaluate initiatives (e.g., Transfer, PREP, First Gen Initiative) and to partner with other campus offices to support the needs of specific groups (e.g., Pre-Law, University Honors, and Student Athletes).

• Work closely and coordinate with school records offices and the Registrar to enforce academic policies, prepare pre-majors for major declaration, and evaluate existing programs and academic support for all pre-majors and those on academic probation.

• Create the strategy, manage the creation, and distribute printed and digital materials for students, parents, faculty, and staff related to university-wide academic advising and academic support—this includes the Peruna Passport, SMU Connected, parent–family newsletter, websites, and social media; manage student specific communications to at-risk student groups identified through grade reports (early and mid-semester) and enrollment outcomes.

• Develop coordinated and collaborative efforts across the Office of General Education, academic departments, and records offices to discuss procedures or changes that may affect student academic success; provide information and recommendations to faculty, departments, and records offices that would impact the student academic experience; lead standing committees and annual trainings across the University to ensure consistency in the academic support experiences for students.

• Coordinate the planning and execution of advising for new first-year and transfer students; work closely with Student Transitions and Orientation and other partner offices to ensure that 1,900+ students are advised, informed about their educational options, and enrolled prior to the first day of classes. Work closely with Athletics, Transfer Services, Admissions, Enrollment Services, Records Offices, Intersessions, and the Honors and Scholars Program to accomplish this goal.

• Meet with and/or present to students and families at admissions events, fall and spring orientation, scholarship interviews, May and December graduation, student group-specific programming, faculty senate, and department chair events.

Qualifications and Characteristics of the Successful Candidate

A master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a field relevant to the primary responsibilities is required; a terminal degree is preferred. A minimum of seven years of related work experience, including managerial experience, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience, is required. The ideal candidate must be able to resolve complex problems with timeliness, strength, and objectivity; understand a complex enrollment management system; analyze and resolve curricular inconsistencies, and manage staff through periods of change and the adoption of new technologies job responsibilities. Knowledge of managing budgets and demonstrated ability to use data to make strategic decisions are required. Successful candidates must be able to communicate effectively with a wide variety of constituents, including faculty, advisors, administrators, records officers, and administrative staff, and be self-motivated, organized, and detail-oriented. The ability to manage organizational change is desirable.

In addition to the qualifications stated above, key stakeholders identified the following capabilities and attributes of a successful candidate:

• Possess emotional maturity, genuineness, self-confidence, common sense, sound judgment, fairness, creativity, discretion, decisiveness, political savvy, tact, resiliency, adaptability, and courage of convictions.
• Be student-centered, mission-driven, passionate, energetic, and enthusiastic, ready to move the institution forward.
• Demonstrate patience and diplomacy with a broad array of constituents who have varying perspectives, maintaining the ability to be both firm and flexible.
• Possess strong and inspirational leadership skills, emotional intelligence, charisma, and a strategic vision, with the ability to effectively push an agenda forward and obtain buy-in from others.
• Maintain the ability to understand and connect deeply with faculty, enhance the connection and partnership between Student Advising and Academic Success programs with academic departments, and transparently communicate how the Student Advising and Academic Success programs unit supports the University’s academic mission.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to reach all levels of the University, especially in telling the “story” of Student Advising and Academic Success programs.
• Be an innovator with a futuristic orientation, intense curiosity, and confidence—be willing to try new opportunities, remain informed on recent trends and cutting-edge ideas, and lead effective change processes as necessary.
• Promote and support the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion and demonstrate an interest in the specific needs of traditionally underserved student populations.
• Listen carefully, ask knowledgeable questions, learn the various departments within the unit and their intricacies, accept input from staff, and then make well-informed decisions.
• Lead as a strategic and data-informed decision-maker with solid assessment skills –collect and analyze data and implement initiatives based on documented evidence.
• Make difficult decisions when necessary, conduct difficult conversations when pertinent, listen to all sides of an issue, and build consensus across multiple constituencies.
• Review major processes, policies, and procedures to look for efficiencies and opportunities to combine, collaborate, share, develop, or discard antiquated functions and practices.
• Possess knowledge of student development theory and student success services.

Opportunities and Challenges of the Role

The new Assistant Provost must possess a broad understanding of academic practice and theory, demonstrate experience in direct student engagement, and have extensive proficiency in academic administration, advising, or other student success initiatives. The Assistant Provost should be a dynamic and respected leader who has had success building and advancing a progressive program at a higher education institution, can manage multiple priorities and departments, and is equipped to contribute at both a strategic and operational level to the vibrant, student-centered environment at SMU.

It is essential to identify a competent and visionary individual who can promote and develop the staff in the department, set and implement strategic priorities, implement best practices, and work in tandem with the Associate Provost for Student Academic Engagement and Success, other members of the administration, and the Student Advising and Academic Success Programs staff to move the unit and division forward progressively, innovatively, and comprehensively. The following were identified as possible opportunities, priorities, and challenges that the Assistant Provost will face upon arrival.

• This is an exciting time to join SMU and a great occasion to strategically build a contemporary, future-centric, and student-focused Student Advising and Academic Success Programs unit. As priorities are developed and plans are initiated, the Assistant Provost should be prepared to work with the staff to identify programs and services that are working effectively, as well as those areas that are not as efficient or successful, and be willing to add, modify, and enhance programs as necessary.

• With great excitement and expectation around this position, the Assistant Provost should be prepared for a fast-paced and energized environment. As the first individual to serve in this position, there is a unique opportunity for the Assistant Provost to make their professional mark on the program and the institution, to grow professionally with a great deal of support, and be able to implement a variety of new and creative ideas along the way.

• SMU is wholeheartedly committed to building strong, healthy, and mutually supportive relationships as a foundation of the campus culture. Collaboration across the institution is an absolute necessity to ensure success. It will be crucial that the new Assistant Provost quickly reach out internally and across campus, particularly with the faculty, to begin building solid and mutually beneficial relationships that foster ongoing positive interactions. These connections are essential to assess the current environment and its needs, provide exceptional academic support programs and services for the student body, and ensure that the department is known for its student-centered approach. At their earliest convenience, the new Assistant Provost should conduct internal and external “listening tours” to connect to department and campus stakeholders, understand their needs, and establish a baseline for strategic and operational plans in the future.

• The scope of responsibilities for this role is broad and highly impactful on the student experience. The Assistant Provost must quickly become familiar with all aspects under their purview to develop a comprehensive list of priorities. The Assistant Provost will need to prioritize a great deal of time upon arrival for learning the nuances and priorities of the campus, discovering the internal needs of the staff and the department, and beginning the process of establishing themselves as the “expert” on issues related to student advising and academic success programs.
• The ability to grow, develop, and mentor a dynamic professional staff while building a solid and dedicated team will be critical for success. To succeed in this area, the new Assistant Provost must be a strong motivator with high-level supervisory and staff-development skills. Support for the staff is critical, and professional development at all levels is desired. Navigating through the current team’s needs, meeting with each department individually, getting to know the people who comprise each unit, and spending quality time in each area will be essential tasks for the new Assistant Provost.

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential parts of the SMU community, and the Assistant Provost must be a leader in supporting, understanding, embracing, and nurturing these concepts. The new Assistant Provost should quickly become familiar with the campus climate and proactively participate in campus initiatives for engaging in conversation and action around diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Innovation is a focal point for continually improving the student experience at SMU. There will be great support for working together to implement new ideas, cutting-edge technology, and national best practices. While funding is not unlimited and not all new proposals can be undertaken, the Assistant Provost will find that well-researched ideas accompanied by comprehensive data analysis will be considered and given thorough vetting.

Measures of Success

The items listed below will define the inaugural Assistant Provost’s success throughout the first year of employment:

• The Assistant Provost will have developed and maintained a proactive, highly visible, well-respected, and established leadership presence on campus that is credible, collegial, and highly effective.
• The Assistant Provost will have reviewed organizational strengths and weaknesses and will have outlined the strategic direction and long-term plan for Student Advising and Academic Success programs consistent with the University’s mission and goals.
• The Assistant Provost will have assessed the skills and knowledge of the staff, developed a strong sense of teamwork among staff, and built working relationships that emphasize an engaging and collaborative work environment.
• The Student Advising and Academic Success Programs unit will be defined as a strong, high-functioning, well-regarded, and resilient team that works with synergy and shared purpose, readily collaborating across departmental and division lines with a demonstrated commitment to student success.
• The students are increasingly utilizing the resources available through the Student Advising and Academic Success Programs unit—through effective marketing and communication, the campus is progressively more aware of the programs and services offered by the unit.
• Faculty are fully engaged in the mission and goals of the Student Advising and Academic Success Programs unit, strong partnerships are being facilitated across all areas of Academic Affairs, and communication between the unit and faculty is open, transparent, and abundant.
• Predictive analytics, performance metrics, and intentional data analysis are being used to strategically enhance the ongoing evolution of the Student Advising and Academic Success Programs unit.

The Student Body

Total Enrollment: 11,842

Undergraduate students: 7,115

Graduate students: 4,727

Male: 51%

Female: 49%

White: 65%

Hispanic: 15%

Asian: 8%

African American: 8%

Two or More Races: 4%

Diversity Statement

“We are all strengthened by different perspectives based on our varied identities and life experiences, and embrace the worth and dignity of all people. SMU students say it well: Every Mustang is valued.”

Application Process

Review of applications will begin May 23, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position please click on the Apply button, complete the brief application process, and upload your resume and position-specific cover letter. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

The anticipated hiring range is $140,000-$150,000 annually, commensurate with education and experience.

Visit the Southern Methodist University website at https://www.smu.edu/.

The University will not discriminate in any employment practice, educational program, or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. The University’s commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. These groups may be referred to as protected classes. This policy is intended to comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

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