PRIMARY PURPOSE
The Core Faculty & Director of Student Success will have responsibility for teaching Bluefield Core courses along with other general education courses as necessary, while leading the institution’s Student Success efforts. Faculty rank to be determined based on qualifications. The position also supervises the Academic Center for Excellence & Careers with the goal of improving student academic success and retention.
FACULTY ESSENTIAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS
Teach an instructional load of 12-15 credit hours per calendar year in qualified on-campus and online courses– following all criteria listed within the University Academic Catalogs, the Faculty Agreement, and the Faculty Handbook:
- Serve on Faculty committees as assigned, attend organizational meetings, partake in Commencement activities, and be present at chapel services.
- Serve as a valued strategic educator.
- Coordinate academic offerings for the Bluefield Core courses, especially the Career Pathways sequence.
- Communicate regularly with students, area representatives, and university administrators in a problem-solving and decision-making capacity
ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS
The essential duties, responsibilities, and functions of the Director of Student Success include, but are not limited to the following:
Provides supervision for student academic support services offered through Academic Center for Excellence & Careers, which include:
- Accountability through academic coaching and focused programming for those students placed on academic probation, suspension and warning.
- Oversight of tutoring, academic coaching, testing, and disability services.
- Coordination with professors, athletic coaches and others to encourage student success.
- Educating faculty and administration on best practices related to learning support and disability services.
- Providing programming and initiatives that support student success.
Manage the institution’s Retention Module, including
- Utilize the current trends and best practices in student retention to ensure students persist and graduate.
- Develop retention strategies that include mentoring programs and other services to address barriers to student retention.
- Facilitate the Early Alert Process, which identifies at-risk students early and coordinates care and support when it is most likely to make a difference.
- Analyze and synthesize quantitative and qualitative data for the purposes of implementing innovative practices and strategies around retention and student success.
- Develop and coordinate strategies and interventions to help at-risk students thrive and succeed.
- Providing training and support for faculty and staff personnel who use the Early Alert System.
Maintains robust assessment processes pertaining to the effectiveness of academic support, including assessing, analyzing and providing detailed reports of ACEC services and satisfaction, as prescribed in the University’s IEAR policies.
Oversees and manages the fiscal resources associated with the ACEC Center.
Teaches the Academic Success Seminar Course as needed.
Leads the University’s Student Success Team
General Responsibilities
- Performs other duties as assigned
- Attends Chapels, Convocations, and scheduled Faculty/Staff meetings
- Complies with all rules, policies, and procedures as established by Bluefield University
- Serves on University committees (as appointed)
- Oversees requests for reports from various University administrative offices, academic departments, federal and state agencies
- Conducts oneself, both on campus and off, in a manner becoming an employee of a Christian University upholding the highest standards of conduct in honesty, truthfulness, respectful attitude and conduct toward others
SUPERVISORY DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS
This administrator will supervise employees in the Academic Center for Excellence and Careers. This position performs supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the University’s policies and applicable laws. Supervisory duties, responsibilities, and functions include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints; and resolving problems.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE
Possesses a faith and commitment to Jesus Christ
Demonstrates a passion for seeing students persist to and through graduation into their careers.
Is a highly motivated self-starter, demonstrating initiative and problem-solving skills
Demonstrates a professional demeanor and presentation in dealing with the University constituency
Holds at least a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, though a doctoral degree is desirable
Has at least 3 years of experience in higher education working with the students, faculty, and administrative leadership in providing student support.
Demonstrates proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and advanced learning technologies (i.e. Jenzabar, an administrative computing system)
Demonstrates communication, organization, and facilitation skills
Able to interact with employees, potential students, and outside contacts of all levels
Able to prioritize and work to deadlines
Supervisory/managerial skills are necessary and the ability to help students with general study skills is a key asset.
ERGONOMIC REQUIREMENTS
- Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position is not necessarily a physically demanding job and requires no specific physical demands other than those typical in a modern office environment. Normal responsibilities should not afford risks of accidental injury.
- Specialized Equipment Requirements
The use of specialized equipment listed here is representative of equipment an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position requires no specialized equipment other than equipment typically used in a modern office environment, including personal computers, calculators, copiers, and fax machines.
- Working Conditions and Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the duties, responsibilities, and functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties, responsibilities, and functions. This position has no specific working conditions; the work environment is typical to that of a small private residential institution of higher education, with physical remote site locations within 500 miles of the main campus in Bluefield, Virginia.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
This position is subject to at least an annual evaluation based upon the job duties, responsibilities, and functions as set forth above.
APPROVALS
The job duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements delineated above should not be interpreted as an all-inclusive list. Additional duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate. The University reserves the right to change or reassign job duties, responsibilities, and functions, or combine positions at any time. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the University. Position descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The University maintains its status as an at-will employer.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
To apply for this position, please visit https://www.bluefield.edu/employment/ to complete the electronic faculty employment application and upload the following:
- Letter of interest
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Christian Faith
- Statement of Teaching Philosophy
- Official Transcripts
- Three letters of reference
Hard copy application materials may be sent to the Director of Human Resources at Bluefield University, 3000 College Avenue, Bluefield, VA 24605, [email protected].
Additional information about Bluefield University is available at www.bluefield.edu.
To be considered for this position, all application requirements listed above must be completed.
Bluefield University is a private, not-for-profit institution affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Bluefield University shall not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, religion, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other basis on which the University is prohibited from discrimination under local, state, or federal law, in its employment or in the provision of its services, including but not limited to its programs and activities, admissions, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs. This institution encourages women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply.
Bluefield University is a Christ-centered, multicultural learning community that values and seeks faculty and staff who represent diverse backgrounds and perspectives, are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation.
Please note the definition of “Official Transcripts”
Hard-copy transcripts and other academic records are considered “official” when they arrive in a sealed, stamped, official envelope with the seal and any other security feature intact. Electronic transcripts are considered “official” when we receive them from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution or testing service.
Academic records received in any other condition, such as transcripts that arrive in an unsealed envelope, or that are emailed or uploaded by the student, or that are printed from the university portal, are not considered “official.”
Official Transcripts may be sent to:
Academic Affairs Office
Bluefield University
3000 College Avenue
Bluefield, VA 24605