Director of Undergraduate Academic Advising & Student Success

The Director of Undergraduate Advising and Student Success provides leadership and strategic direction to a team of undergraduate academic advisors in the College of Continuing and Professional Studies (CCAPS). This position is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of effective advising support for a student population across a diverse portfolio of undergraduate programs. Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, this role is responsible for overseeing the development of innovative, technology-enhanced advising initiatives that support academic and career goals, fostering retention, degree completion, and student success.

This position offers a flexible work arrangement as a hybrid position and has the unique opportunity to help shape and be responsible for the student experience.

The search committee will begin reviewing applications the week of March 9th.

*Please note, we are not offering H-1B or Green Card sponsorship for this position.

The University of Minnesota is committed to fostering local talent through employment opportunities. While this position utilizes a hybrid modality, prospective applicants must be located either in the state of Minnesota or near the Wisconsin border or otherwise open to relocation.

• Lead and direct the undergraduate advising team, providing a strategic roadmap to create a collaborative, student-centered environment and a culture of shared ownership and technological agility.
• Monitor team performance, conduct annual performance reviews, and provide ongoing coaching to accomplish professional and programmatic goals
• Establish goals, priorities, and AI-informed practices and procedures, identify opportunities to automate administrative workflows, allowing advisors to focus on high-touch student interactions.
• Identify evidence-based frameworks and develop data informed advising practices to build, implement and evaluate advising initiatives that promote student success.
• Provide input and support the Senior Associate Dean in the unit budget planning process for effective long term resource allocations
• Ensure faculty and advisors are informed of university-wide initiatives and academic progress standards.

• Oversee annual academic progress reviews, and lead data driven outreach efforts for enhanced retention
• Lead the design, implementation, and delivery of orientation programming for incoming transfer students.
• Develop and evaluate community-building initiatives and serve as the collegiate liaison for CCAPS undergraduate student organizations and honor societies.
• Coordinate the Undergraduate Peer Mentoring Program and support the CCAPS Mentoring Program.
• Facilitate student opportunities for research and study abroad
• Collaborate with the Director of Inclusive Excellence on student retention and engagement efforts, emphasizing equity and access.

• Serve as the primary liaison for advising and student services feedback on CCAPS curriculum development.
• Develop a student information hub and coordinate a strategic student communications plan for current and prospective students.
• Serve as the college's lead expert on digital tools (APLUS, APAS), ensuring data integrity and effective documentation.
• Support admission, degree progress, and degree clearance processes in collaboration with student services including degree requirement sheets, sample plans, and student-facing policies. Develop and oversee the permission number distribution process.
• Oversee student-facing internship management, including placement tracking, provider communication, and site development in partnership with faculty directors and Career and Internship Services (CIS).
• Resolve complex student issues and adjudicate petitions and appeals as a member of the CCAPS Scholastic Committee.
• Lead the advising team in interpreting and administering institutional policies to provide consistent, high-quality support for students.

• Represent CCAPS on university-wide committees, including the Advising Steering Committee, Advising Coordinators Group, Executive Advisory Group, Residency Appeals Committee, and others as needed.
• Serve as the college liaison to the Office for Community Standards, University Honors Program, Disability Resource Center, International Student and Scholar Services, and Student Ombuds Services, and others as needed.
• Collaborate with the Office of Admissions and CCAPS Enrollment Management on holistic application reviews and advise on annual admission targets.
• Partner with the CCAPS Alumni Engagement team to enhance student-alumni connections.
• Collaborate with CCAPS Marketing and Enrollment Management Team to support recruiting efforts and provide student success stories.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus at least eight years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus at least six years of relevant experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a supervisory or leadership capacity within higher education, specifically overseeing professional staff.
• Demonstrated experience with student information systems (e.g., PeopleSoft) and advising platforms (e.g., APLUS, APAS).
• Proven ability to communicate complex information to diverse stakeholders and lead effective student success initiatives.
• Demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive environment that serves a diverse community of students and professional staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree - Master's or Doctorate in Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Organizational Development, or a related field.
• Experience with research based best practices for online/in-person advising and building processes to support student success.
• Experience with analyzing complex systems and data-driven decision-making. Familiarity with leveraging Generative AI or other tools to streamline administrative workflows.
• Deep understanding of the unique needs of working professionals, transfer students, and degree-completion populations (consistent with CCAPS's mission).
• Experience serving on university-wide committees and navigating complex, decentralized institutional environments.
• Direct experience supporting departmental or unit-level budgets and resource allocation.

In CCAPS you'll find a flexible, hybrid work environment and supportive colleagues who are committed to empowering lifelong learners to achieve their educational goals in a learner-centric environment where diverse ideas, backgrounds, and identities are embraced.

CCAPS has a large and diverse portfolio of program offerings, including bachelor's and master's degrees, professional development offerings for practitioners, pre-college programs for high school students, English language programs, and lifelong learning for personal enrichment. Across all the work done in and by CCAPS, we strive daily to live our core values of Access, Learning, Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

Pay Range: $80,000-$98,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Please address all required qualifications in either your cover letter or CV/Resume in order to be fully considered for the position.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).