Director, Online Student Success
Division: Rowan Online
Supervisor: Chief Executive Officer, Rowan Online

 

Position Summary:

Reporting to the CEO for Rowan Online, the Director of Online Student Success will lead the development, implementation, and management of a student success unit dedicated to providing comprehensive support for online learners within Rowan Online. This unit will operate within Rowan University’s broader advising and student services policies and processes, ensuring integration with University-wide structures while catering to the specific needs of online students. The Director will imagine and staff a new team that includes leaders for undergraduate students, graduate students, and student success analytics. 

This role focuses on the unique needs of online learners while ensuring services are holistic, proactive, and aligned with Rowan University's commitment to student success. The ideal candidate will possess significant leadership experience in online education, a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in online learning, and a proven ability to lead teams in the delivery of student-centered, data-driven advising and student support services.

This position succeeds when every student enrolled in Rowan Online starts, attends, learns, and graduates.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Unit Development:

Lead the strategic planning, development, and implementation of a student success model that supports undergraduate and graduate online learners and aligns with national standards and Rowan University’s mission.

Build, manage and support a high-functioning team, including recruitment, training, supervision, and mentorship of Assistant Directors and Advisors/Success Coaches

Foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive team environment that promotes continuous improvement and successful student outcomes

 

Operational Management:

Ensure the use of student lifecycle technology platforms to enhance service delivery and improve student outcomes.

Oversee daily operations of the online advising unit, including transcript review, course selection, degree planning, and prior learning credit support.

Implement and maintain advising protocols that adhere to a holistic, proactive advising model, ensuring effective service delivery and student success.

Manage the department’s budget, including resource allocation and expenditure monitoring.

Holistic Advising and Student Success Coaching:

Monitor student progress and retention, using data-driven approaches to identify at-risk students and implement early intervention strategies.

Champion a holistic advising approach that integrates academic, career, financial, and personal coaching into advising practices.

Oversee ongoing professional development programs for advising staff to ensure training in best practices, academic policies, and student support resources.

Collaboration and Integration:

Coordinate with university stakeholders, including faculty leadership, student support offices, Academic Affairs, Financial Aid, and the Registrar, to support seamless student transitions between online and on-campus programs when required.

Act as a liaison between the online advising unit and other student service providers to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated support network for online learners.

Student Engagement and Retention Initiatives:

Publish daily, weekly and longer-cycle reports on student engagement and success

Develop and lead initiatives aimed at increasing student engagement, retention, and degree completion.

Implement proactive retention strategies, including early warning systems and personalized support plans to improve student persistence and enhance student success.

Collaborate with Assistant Directors to support successful prospect development and melt reduction strategies and to ensure effective student onboarding. 

Collaborate with strategic enrollment partners to forecast and improve enrollment and retention outcomes.

Develop communication plans and outreach initiatives to promote advising services and engage students in proactive advising activities, including orientation and virtual workshops

Assessment and Continuous Improvement:

Collaborate with Rowan Online operations team in developing assessment tools to evaluate advising services.

Analyze data related to advising outcomes, student satisfaction, and retention rates to inform decision-making and improvement efforts.

Technology and Innovation:

Collaborate on the implementation of advising platforms, CRM systems, and data analytics tools to track student progress and inform continuous improvement.

Drive the adoption of new technologies and methods to enhance student engagement, retention, and advising practices.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB):

Develop and implement advising services that meet the diverse needs of students, including those from various linguistic, cultural, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including relevant training for staff.

Collaborate on university DEIB initiatives to promote equitable student success outcomes.

Required Qualifications:

Expertise in using data to improve student outcomes.

Master’s degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Educational Leadership, Student Affairs, or a related field.

A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in academic advising, student success, or student support, with at least 2-3 years in a leadership role in an online or hybrid education environment. 

  Preferred Qualifications:

Proven experience developing and implementing student success models that support diverse student populations, including online learners, adult students, and first-generation students.

Experience with advising technologies (e.g., Slate, EAB/Starfish, Banner, Tableau, DegreeWorks).

Strong leadership, team-building, and staff development skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a team.

Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in student success practices.

Experience with prior learning assessment and credit for prior learning pathways.

Knowledge of budget management and strategic planning related to enrollment and student retention.