Director of Student Success Initiatives

  • South Bend
  • Full time
  • Posted
  • Print
The Director of Student Success and Retention provides strategic leadership, planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services designed to improve student persistence, retention, completion, and overall academic success. The Director collaborates across academic and student affairs divisions to advance a student-centered culture that
supports holistic student development, access, inclusion, belonging, and academic achievement.

Supervision
Supervision Received: Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs 
Supervision Given: Associate Accelerated Program (ASAP) Coordinator, Student Success Coaches, Student Success Navigator

Compensation: $60,000

Major Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategic Planning
• Develop and implement a comprehensive student success and retention strategy aligned with the college's mission and strategic plan. 
• Lead institutional efforts to improve student persistence, graduation, transfer, and completion rates. 
• Identify and address barriers to student success through evidence-based interventions. 
• Promote a culture of student-centered service and continuous improvement.

Student Success Programs
• Collaborate with all Student Services departments on early alert systems, academic support programs, first-year experience initiatives, orientation, advising support, and student engagement activities.
• Coordinate interventions for at-risk students using predictive analytics and student performance data.
• Develop programs that support underserved, first-generation, low-income, and nontraditional students.
• Monitor the effectiveness of campus services and recommend improvements.
• Coordinate with academic advisors and student development staff to ensure timely and accurate referrals for at-risk students, cohort populations, and students requiring additional support services.
• Participate in institutional student success initiatives and case management efforts designed to improve student persistence, retention, and completion outcomes.

Data Analysis and Assessment
• Analyze student success metrics, retention data, enrollment trends, and completion outcomes. 
• Prepare reports and presentations for senior leadership, accreditation bodies, and advisory boards. 
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and assess program effectiveness. 
• Use data to guide resource allocation and strategic decision-making.

Collaboration and Partnership
• Collaborate with faculty, academic deans, enrollment management, advising, financial aid, tutoring services, and student affairs departments. 
• Serve on institutional committees related to student success and strategic planning. 
• Work closely with institutional research staff to evaluate student success initiatives.

Personnel Management
• Hire, supervise, train, and evaluate professional and support staff. 
• Foster professional development and a collaborative team environment. 
• Establish departmental goals and performance expectations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
* Bachelor's degree 
* 3 years of relative experience in advising and/or student services. 
* Ability to plan, organize, implement, and follow through on projects. 
* Ability to foster collegial working relationships. 
* Excellent customer service skills. 
* Excellent writing and communication skills. 
* Must work on own initiative and be responsible for setting own appointments and be able to follow through on commitments to students, others, and committees 


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
* Master's degree in Student Personnel, Higher Education, Counseling, Administration, Student 
Affairs, Psychology, Guidance, Education, or a related field
 

Ivy Tech is committed to supporting the well-being, growth, and financial security of our full-time faculty and staff. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

Health & Wellness

  • Multiple medical plan options paired with a Health Savings Account with a generous employer contribution

  • Dental plan with no-cost preventive services and coverage for orthodontia

  • Vision plan with low-cost exams and allowances for glasses or contact lenses

  • Employee Assistance Program offering no-cost confidential counseling sessions, legal consultations, financial planning consultations, and other resources

  • Wellness program with opportunities to earn $250 in Wellness Rewards

  • Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare (limited purpose) and dependent care

Retirement & Financial Security

  • 10% employer retirement contribution, fully vested after two years

  • Basic life insurance equal to annual salary paid by the College, with optional supplemental coverage

  • Short-term and long-term disability benefits

Educational Benefits

  • Fee remission for employees, spouses, and dependent children

  • Tuition assistance for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs

  • Paid professional development opportunities

Work‑Life Balance

  • Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, holidays, and winter recess

  • Flexible work arrangements where available

  • Paid childbirth recovery leave (8 weeks)

  • Paid parental leave (4 weeks)

Additional Perks

  • Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness

  • Additional discounts on gym memberships, transportation, and various retail services

Ivy Tech is proud to offer benefits that support your health, your family, and your future—because when our employees thrive, our students and communities thrive too. For more information on Ivy Tech Benefits, visit https://careers.ivytech.edu/benefits.

Note: Employees who re-hire with the College within 180 days of leaving a full-time position with the College may be eligible for additional benefits depending on their bridged seniority date.


Ivy Tech Community College is an accredited, equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age or veteran status. As required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Ivy Tech Community College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admissions. Questions specific to Title IX may be referred to the College’s Title IX Coordinator or to the US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.

Job ID: JR0000108749