Director of Student Success & Student Diversity

Director of Student Success & Student Diversity
University of Massachusetts Amherst

The CNS Director of Student Success and Diversity, a non-tenure-track faculty position (100% FTE) 12-month Lecturer appointment, will provide leadership and supporting activities to advance the recruitment, retention and successful degree completion of all students in the College of Natural Sciences (CNS), with a special focus on underserved students. The Director will implement and use data from multiple sources to ensure high levels of student success. The Director will be responsible for designing and implementing student success programming and accessing their effectiveness; grant writing; teaching; student advising; effectively partnering with other campus units relative to assessment, diversity and student success; and preparing and reporting findings that inform CNS's student success and diversity initiatives.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as Program Manager for the NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program at UMass Amherst. Meet regularly with students in the LSAMP program on a 1:1 basis to provide academic coaching to support their applications to undergraduate research programs, track their academic progress, and support their applications to graduate programs and fellowships in STEM. Review LSAMP student academic progress toward graduation as required by NSF.  Review students for funding eligibility to conferences, graduate school interviews, study abroad programs. Direct, manage and oversee all administrative and fiscal activity related to the LSAMP grant.
• Develop and teach seminars for undergraduate students. (e.g., LSAMP Programming and Bio Pioneers).
• Manage, implement, assess and advance signature programs in the college to promote student success (e.g. Lee-SIP undergraduate research program and Forsythe-Grange peer mentoring program).
• Assist students in placement within a research lab and internships and advise students on participation in international experiences.
• Design, execute and manage assessment activities that monitor student progression toward degree completion.
• Recommend and lead strategies to impact the retention of underserved students.  Form relationships with the University partners including the Office of Student Success, Learning Resource Center, Office of Equity and Inclusion, departmental advisors, CMASS, etc.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Director of Diversity and Enrollment in the recruitment of students from diverse backgrounds including transfer students.
• Support the student success needs of transfer students in CNS, including the STEM Starter Academy Bridge Program.
• Serve on the CNS Dean’s working groups addressing student success and diversity.
• Understand and apply the University Academic Regulations. Provide information about the curriculum and departments to prospective CNS students.
• Supervise the Assistant Directors of Student Success.

Other Functions:

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness. 
• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.
• Help promote academic programs within the UMass community and at outside conferences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure):

• Ph.D. in related STEM field.
• Demonstrated successful experience in grant writing.
• Experience in working with students in a higher education academic setting, working with students from underrepresented backgrounds.
• Supervisory experience of college students or staff.
• Demonstrated successful experience advising college level students.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to, and experience with culturally diverse (African-American, Latino/a, Asian, Native American), and other underrepresented populations (females, low income, first generation college students) in STEM.
• Strong team orientation and ability to collaborate with internal and external constituents.
• Strong organizational and planning skills and efficiency in handling multiple projects required.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills required.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions:

• Normal office conditions. 

Work Schedule:

• 12-month calendar appointment.

Salary Information:

• TBD commensurate with experience. 

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Submit curriculum vitae, statement of teaching and advising philosophy, samples of representative course syllabi, contact information for three professional references and a cover letter describing qualifications and fit for this position. We will begin to review applications on March 8, 2021, and will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.

For more information, or to apply, please visit: https://careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-us/job/507345/lecturer-a-director-of-student-success-student-diversity 

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 College Consortium (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations.  In addition to application materials above, candidates will need to submit a Statement of Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The Diversity Statement should identify past experiences and future goals. These contributions may result from lived experiences, scholarships, and/or mentoring, teaching, and outreach activities. (https://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion)

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information 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 the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.