Director of Academic Success and Learning - 138088

The mission of the Commons is to advance student success through teaching excellence and comprehensive academic student support; be an incubator for student academic success innovations; increase access to education on campus and beyond; and advance engagement within the organization and through its programs and services. The Commons provides campus-wide support through four avenues: instructor support to advance teaching excellence; undergraduate and graduate student support to advance student success at UC San Diego and beyond; intellectual and professional development of graduate and undergraduate students, including Commons' student employees; and equity and inclusion for all UC San Diego students, staff, and educators.

At the Teaching + Learning Commons, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential to fulfilling our mission. As such, we are committed to recruiting, advancing, and supporting a diverse team who: Will contribute to our mission by working effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds; Will actively promote equity and inclusion within the organization and through our programs and services; Are dedicated to continuous, lifelong learning.

Under the general direction of the Faculty Director of the Teaching + Learning Commons, the Director of Student Academic Success and Learning leads efforts to advance student retention, success, and equitable learning experiences and outcomes at UC San Diego. The Director partners across the university to help build and sustain a thriving student success ecosystem.

The Director leads the full portfolio of undergraduate student academic services-spanning academic success initiatives, writing support, and other key learning programs-while managing budgets and guiding program planning, development, and assessment. In collaboration with Teaching + Learning Commons partners, the Director develops and oversees student support programs; develops training and professional development for peer educators, tutors, and academic staff; and conducts ongoing evaluation of program effectiveness. The role also includes hiring, training, and supervising professional and student academic staff, as well as sustaining strong partnerships with units such as Student Retention and Success programs, Summer Success programs, the Undergraduate Colleges' Writing and Analytical Writing programs, the Office of Academic Integrity, Athletics, and college advising teams.

A central focus of the role is building strong, collaborative relationships with faculty, academic departments, and key campus units to advance access and engagement for students. This includes partnering with instructors of large introductory STEM courses and other high-WDF classes, as well as coordinating writing-focused initiatives in the colleges, schools, and disciplines.

The Director serves on university committees related to student academic services initiatives, identifies funding opportunities, and leads the development of new programs in partnership with faculty and administrators.

As an integral member of the Commons Leadership Team, the Director contributes to cultivating a collaborative culture across the Commons and campus. The Director also plays a key role in evaluating the impact of Commons initiatives on student learning and providing continuous improvement of student support services.

The Director manages a program within a learning / study center; participates in the formulation of operational and strategic planning for the department; participates in the budget development process; recommends and implements policy and practices for the unit; and mentors, coaches, and evaluates professional and student staff.

• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.

• Submission of a cover letter along with a resume is required for consideration.

• Master's degree and at least four years full-time professional experience directing or working in and academic setting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• High level of administrative management experience, including planning, leadership, and analysis.

• Demonstrated ability to deliver and maintain academic support programs.

• Broad knowledge in learning theories. Broad knowledge of and experience with applying equity and asset-based learning theories to student academic support programs and services.

• Multicultural competencies; knowledge and experience working and interacting effectively with diverse groups of staff, faculty, and student populations. Experience working with diverse student populations. Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create an environment that supports and embraces diversity. Demonstrated ability to assess needs and develop strategies to support diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Broad knowledge of specific learning styles, linguistic issues.

• Skills in judgment and decision-making. Demonstrated project management skills; Strong and creative organization, analytic, and decision-making/problem-solving skills; Strong ability to work independently, establish and revise priorities to shifting deadlines. Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.

• Interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with administrators, academic units, faculty, graduate students, undergraduate student employees, and professional and administrative staff.

• Proven ability to lead and develop staff members. Demonstrated skill in supervision including the selection, training, supervision, evaluation, and professional development of staff and working knowledge of corrective action procedures. Demonstrated ability to motivate staff and maintain a positive working environment.

• Demonstrated ability to work individually, in partnership, or as part of a team, using acumen and sensitivity to identify those decisions and activities which require higher level consultation and/or group collaboration.

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

• Duties may require direct contact and/or supervision of children (defined as individuals under the age of 18); completion of the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) form will be required.

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace