Department: Advising
Location: Wellesley Hills
MassBay fosters educational excellence and academic success to prepare students for local and global citizenship, to meet critical workforce demands of communities, and to contribute to the region’s economic development.
Massachusetts Bay Community College values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration. We strongly encourage members of underrepresented communities to apply to join our community.
Located in Greater Boston, MassBay is a comprehensive, open-access community college offering associate degrees and certificate programs on three campuses in Wellesley Hills, Framingham, and Ashland, Massachusetts.
Position Summary:
The ideal candidates will join a vibrant and inclusive educational community and have a desire and ability to work with a diverse population.
The Advising, Coaching and Transfer department, seeks to hire two Assistant Directors.
Position 1:
This Assistant Director position, in collaboration with the Director of Academic Advising, Coaching and Transfer, will implement, assess and manage coaching strategies within the ACT department, supporting SUCCESS initiative focus populations, goals and the college strategic plan. The person in this position will lead, supervise and manage Academic Counselors assigned to the SUCCESS Initiative, collaborate and build partnerships with faculty and staff, assist data management and analysis, assist in the development of policies and procedures, utilizing peer reviewed and data-driven strategies to improve upon retention and student success.
Position 2:
The Assistant Director, Academic Advising, Coaching, and Transfer, provides strategic vision and administrative direction for the advising processes related to First Year Student Advising, New Student Orientation (SOAR) Advising, Academic Intervention Programming, and Case Management. This position will promote student success outcomes in each of these areas by leveraging knowledge on national and internal best practice, by fostering innovation, creativity, and enthusiasm around student-ready practices, and by promoting a culture of assessment and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
Position 1:
Program Development and Implementation
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Oversee the college coaching program, aimed at improving student retention, academic performance, and overall student success within academic advisement;
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Continue to develop peer reviewed coaching methodologies, tools and resources that align with NACADA Coaching Strategies, student development theory, personal development;
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Work closely with the Director to monitor and implement college- wide curricular and policy changes;
- Utilize technology to inform and assist in the service of our students; PeopleSoft, EAB Navigate StudentTrac, Microsoft Office Suite and other platforms;
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Provide support and guidance to advisors around college policies and procedures;
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Other related duties as assigned.
Team Leadership and Supervision:
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Supervise, a team of Academic Counselors focused on the SUCCESS initiative strategies and goals;
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Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for the entire Academic Coaching, and Transfer team to enhance their coaching skill, knowledge and approaches;
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Co-coordinate the peer mentor initiative.
Student Advising and Coaching:
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Directly advise a caseload of students, specifically identified within the focus populations of the SUCCESS Initiative at MassBay Community College;
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Collaborate with students in the creation of academic plans, utilizing technology applications, and other resources at the college to achieve academic and personal development goals;
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Co-lead departmental trainings and provide leadership on current advising initiatives;
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Partner with advising leadership to develop an annual communication and intervention plan for all enrolled students;
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Assist with the management of the Virtual Advising Center in collaboration with the Assistant Director and Coordinator of Advising;
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Work with the Director to ensure appropriate staffing, resources, training, and accessibility for students;
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Assist with general advising during peak enrollment times.
Collaboration and Partnerships:
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Work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and other departments within the college to create a supportive, cohesive, referral network;
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Serve as a liaison between the advising team and other campuses resources, ensuring students have access to comprehensive services identified within the SUCCESS initiative and beyond;
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Work closely with Student Development leaders to build upon practices and policies for first year and returning students.
Data Management and Analysis:
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Collaborate with Institutional Research (IR) and Information Technology (IT) to ensure that advisor/coaches and stakeholders within the SUCCESS initiative have detailed, accurate, and metric-driven student-data to inform their proactive outreach;
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Collaborate with SUCCESS colleagues and other areas of the college to collect, analyze, interpret, and utilize student performance data to record and improve project efficacy, in accordance with SUCCESS fund reporting requirements and in collaboration with the Office of Institutional Research.
Position 2:
Team Leadership and Supervision:
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Supervise a team of professional staff academic advisors;
- Model and sustain a team environment, encourage professional growth and development, and nurture a culture of innovation;
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Oversee staff and operations of Academic Advising, Coaching, and Transfer in the absence of the Director;
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Work closely with the Director, Assistant Director, Academic Coordinators and other department leads to monitor and implement college- wide curricular and policy changes;
- Serve on college committees, including but not limited to the SOAR Planning Committee;
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Utilize technology on a daily basis; PeopleSoft, EAB Navigate, StudentTrac, Microsoft Office Suite, and other platforms; work with Director, Assistant Director, Coordinator, and IT on upgrades, improvements, and end-user trainings/support;
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Provide support and guidance to advisors around college policies and procedures, and work with faculty and staff to resolve escalated student situations;
- Co-coordinate the peer mentor initiative;
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Position requires some evening and weekend work during peak enrollment periods,
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Other related duties as assigned.
First Year Student Advising and New Student Orientation:
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Oversee all aspects of Advising at New Student Orientation (SOAR), including advising session design and implementation, advising staff coordination, and program assessment;
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Oversee all aspects of the COMPASS Advising process (Comprehensive Advising for Student Success - Massbay’s Signature First-Semester Advising Program) including data collection, process improvement, and inter-departmental collaboration;
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Work closely with Student Development to build upon the first-year experience for incoming new students;
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Collaborate with Career Services to improve-upon an exploratory-student pathway, first-year advising, academic internships, and overall coordination of efforts toward mutual goals of student success.
Academic Advising & Case Management:
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Collaborate in the continued improvement of our case management model for general academic advising that incorporates proactive measures to improve upon student retention and success;
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Lead departmental trainings and provide leadership on current advising initiatives;
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Develop outreach activities for students and advisors; create communication plans; lead a variety of workshops and/or presentations related to advising information for students;
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Assist in the management of the Virtual Advising Center in collaboration with the Coordinator of Advising, and supervise the (2) Part-Time Academic Advisors that staff the center;
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Oversee an “After Hours Advising Process” to ensure that academic advising services are available to students at times when they need them;
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Work with Director to ensure appropriate staffing, resources, training, and accessibility for students;
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Collaborate with the areas of Enrollment and Registration on communication strategies and process improvement for Non-Degree Students;
- Assist with general advising during peak enrollment times.
Academic Intervention Initiatives:
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Improve student outcomes by developing sustainable intervention programming for at- risk students;
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Oversee interventions related to Academic Probation and Academic Warning: including partnering with the Registrar’s office; updating websites and related materials, directing the process for advising staff, and providing trainings on best practices on GPA Improvement;
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Oversee the advising practice for students who have been readmitted to the college, including collaborations with the Provosts office, overseeing procedures for best advising practices, disseminating information concerning the appeals process, and the College Appeals Board to the Academic Advising, Coaching, and Transfer Team.
Commitment to Equity:
- Support MassBay’s commitment to the Equity Agenda; collaborating with faculty, staff, and students on the College’s strategic initiatives dedicated to closing the equity gap related to student outcomes;
- Support MassBay’s commitment to being anti-racist; embracing a community free of bias and inequality;
- Contribute to discussion and review of applicable College policies with a critical lens toward diversity, equity, and inclusion;
- Engage with the Office of Diversity on issues related to underserved student success;
- Engage in conversations with colleagues and students regarding best practices within the discipline or programmatic related to equity and inclusion.
This list is not to be considered all-inclusive. A supervisor may assign other duties as required to meet the needs and foster the mission of the College.
All employees of MassBay are expected to work collegially and collaboratively within a community that values and celebrates diversity.
Required Qualifications:
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Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration, Education, Psychology, Sociology or other relevant field is required;
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Experience utilizing student information systems, and other advising applications, including EAB Navigate, Starfish, Ellucian Advise, etc;
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Proficient utilizing Microsoft Office 365 applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc;
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Experience and comfort working in a high demand environment, and the ability to creatively solve problems in accordance with college policies and procedures;
- Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and collaborate with other departments and divisions.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Experience leading or working within a coaching model in higher education;
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Experience working with at-risk students in a higher education environment, preferably a community college;
- Sensitivity and commitment to the goals of Affirmative Action and workforce diversity;
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Experience working in a diverse environment;
Demonstrated commitment to working with underserved students.
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Additional Information:
Salary Range: $77,000 - $83,000 annual salary
As a Massachusetts State Employee, you are offered an outstanding suite of benefits adding value to your salary.
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Array of choices for health insurance plans to meet individual/ family needs
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Affordable Dental Insurance and vision discount program
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12 paid State/ Federal holidays
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Generous sick, vacation, and personal time
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Telework option depending on the role/department
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Flexible Spending Plans to reduce your taxable income
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Low-cost basic and optional life insurance
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Defined Benefit Pension Plan, providing a fixed, pre-established benefit for employees at retirement
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Thinking to save more money towards retirement: consider Deferred Compensation plans i.e., 457(b) or 403(b).
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Tuition Benefits for employees and dependents at state colleges and universities
- Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
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Eligibility towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
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Free gym and parking on campus
Need more info: https://www.massbay.edu/employment/benefits
Position Type: Non Unit Professional
Application Deadline: July 8, 2024 or thereafter until filled.
To Apply: Please include a letter of interest and resume with your online application.
Staff
Hiring is subject to state appropriation funding.
Final candidates are required to provide sealed transcripts and/or certifications.
Hiring is contingent upon a successful CORI clearance.
Massachusetts Bay Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies. The College prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual violence. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or sexual violence shall be referred to the College’s Affirmative Action and/or Title IX Coordinator, Lisa MacDonald, Director of Equity Compliance, lmacdonald@massbay.edu, (781) 239-3147, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.