Director of Academic Success Services

Campus Security Authority: Yes

Campus Security Authority Statement: A Campus Security Authority (or CSA) is defined as an “official of the institution with significant responsibility for student and campus activities”. A CSA is required to immediately report any crime that is reported to them to the University Police who will then review, evaluate, and investigate the reported crime. Annual training is required by the Department of Education for all personnel who have been designated as a Campus Security Authority.

Designated Personnel: Yes

Designated Personnel Statement: This position is a “designated position” meaning this position could potentially be required to work (depending on the event) during an emergency closing.

Statement of Economic Interest: No

Statement of Economic Interest Statement: This position does NOT require a Statement of Personal Economic Interest.

Restricted Position: No

Restricted Position Statement: A restricted position would be subject to availability of funding. This is NOT a restricted position.

Chief Objective of Position: Under the direction of the Vice Provost for Research and Academic Success, the Director of Academic Success Services leads and enhances a comprehensive framework of support services within the Center for Academic Success that fosters academic achievement and personal growth. The Director will ensure that all students have equitable access to resources and opportunities that empower them to thrive throughout their college experience and beyond. This role will focus on developing innovative programs, facilitating collaboration among departments, and leveraging data to drive strategic initiatives aimed at improving student academic achievement, ultimately impacting retention, completion, and post-graduate outcomes of all Christopher Newport University students.

Work Tasks

Leadership:

• Collaborates with the Vice Provost of Research and Academic Success to provide strategic leadership within the Center and supervision of all academic success staff for the overall operational effectiveness of the Center for Academic Success.
• Provides direction and oversight to the Assistant Director of Peer Education to include responsibilities such as peer tutoring, peer mentoring, and supplemental instruction.
• Develops and provides onboarding, training, oversight, and routine performance reviews for academic success coaching services offered within the Center.
• Plays a key role in maintaining and growing strategic partnerships across the campus community to advance the University’s goals regarding student success and completion.
• Represents the Center and serves a critical role as a member of the Academic Success leadership team.
• Provides training sessions for staff, student workers and faculty regarding best practices and optimum intervention strategies for student success.
• Provides a high quality of leadership, mentorship, and managerial support to the Center.

Management:

• Leads the Center in identifying students in need of academic support services. Develops and implements programs, workshops, and interventions to help students reach their full academic potential.
• Supports university retention efforts by collaborating with staff in Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to design and implement innovative, high-impact programs.
• Works collaboratively with staff in Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to identify at-risk students and manage support efforts for these students including, but not limited to, referrals, tutoring, writing assistance, peer mentoring, success coaching, and engagement.
• Partners with the Faculty Director of the Writing Center to ensure the delivery of proactive and comprehensive services and programs through The Alice K. Randall Writing Center.
• Collaborates to identify students in need and develop effective programming and outreach strategies.
• Collaborates with the Faculty Director of Core Advising to enhance advising for first and second-year students, develop support systems, and effectively address student needs.
• Identifies grant opportunities and prepares proposals for grants and alternative funding sources for niche initiatives.
• Maintains an environment of continuous improvement that includes effective assessment of services and develops healthy professional development processes for staff and student staff.

Assessment, Statistical Analysis, and Reports:

• Compiles documentation of non-enrolled students via the division’s “recruit back” process with particular attention on first and second–year students.
• Supervises the yearly coordination and implementation of the Ruffalo Noel–Levitz College Student Inventory (CSI) to all first-year students. Manages other assessments as needed. Compiles results, identifies patterns and/or concerns and provides outcomes to senior division leadership annually.
• Develops and reports on ‘Key Performance Indicators’ and outcomes for regional accreditation in addition to submission of yearly unit action plan for addressing unmet measures of performance.
• Collects, reviews and analyzes predictive data related to student retention and completion to develop and implement programming and interventions to support academic success, retention, and completion.
• Designs, develops, implements, and maintains an evaluation and assessment plan for all programs and initiatives and provides assessment analyses and data to senior division leadership, making recommendations as needed.
• Compiles and manages documentation of all outreach and intervention efforts. Provides reports to the Vice Provost for Research and Academic Success.

Captains Care Referrals System:

• Works collaboratively with staff in Student Affairs to support the ongoing development, implementation, and improvement of the Captains Care Referral system.
• Develops creative and strategic approaches to reach students of concern.
• Monitors the timely resolution of all referrals to the Center.
• Collaborates with staff in Student Affairs to collects data, prepare reports, and provide routine analysis to senior division leadership regarding referrals and outcomes.

Transition Courses:

• Develops and maintains curriculum in adherence with university governance for the three student success courses: COLL 141: Student Success Seminar; COLL 140: The Transitional Learner; and, COLL 150: The Intentional Learner.
• Collaborating with the Vice Provost of Research and Academic Success, identifies qualified instructors, in compliance with SCHEV and SACSCOC, to meet the demands of the students, provides initial training, and oversees the daily activities associated with these courses.
• Develops and implements a plan for assessing course effectiveness and provides routine reports to senior division leadership.
• Reviews student course evaluations and course outcomes and makes adjustments to course content as needed to align with the changing needs of our students and feedback from faculty teaching first-year students.
• Ensures adequate seats are available for those students required to complete these course(s).
• Makes recommendations to the Vice Provost for Research and Academic Success regarding students who should be enrolled in COLL 141, 140 and, 150.
• Serves as instructor of these courses, depending on Center activities and student enrollment.

Summer Transition Programs:

• Develops curriculum and framework for an enhanced summer transition (bridge) program to help on-board first-time in college students to the university environment.
• Identifies necessary high-impact practices for effective onboarding.
• Creates and implements an assessment plan for continuous improvement and to ensure overall student success as a result of program completion, and makes adjustments to the program in response to feedback and data analysis.

Other Support Services and Programs:

• Responsible for the composition and distribution of ‘The Great Lawn’ newsletter to parents of targeted student groups, meeting established publication deadlines and adjusting content and contributors in response to the needs of our students.
• Develops, implements, and assesses academic support programs focusing on the retention and completion of sub-groups of the study body (e.g., first-generation college students).
• Develops, implements, and monitors programs for students on academic probation and academic suspension. Designs and provides oversight for the University’s Academic Recovery Agreement and Plan processes and Sailing to Success programming for these students. Develops and conducts an assessment of the overall effectiveness of the academic recovery program and provides suggestions for improvement.
• Coordinates proactive outreach and student success interventions following three-week, midterm, and final grades.
• Responsible for the planning and effective execution of the University’s annual Signing Day event.
• Maintains a small student caseload, as directed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Campus Collaboration:

• Works collaboratively with all faculty, staff, organizations, and constituencies to foster campus collaboration that enhances overall student success and provides student-centered support.
• Coordinates intervention strategies within Academic Affairs and Student Affairs staff who provide complementary support services.
• Represents the division and presents at various evening and/or weekend events including but not limited to admission recruitment events, orientation events, Community Captains events, and fundraising events, as directed or needed.
• Represents Academic Success at campus Student Update Meetings (SUM) reporting areas of concern to supervisor and division senior leadership as necessary.
• Plays an integral role in the student success focused programming for Setting Sail, Changing Tides, Welcome Week, admitted student events, etc. with a focus on academic success.
• Serves and engages, as needed and as appointed, on university committees, councils, and working groups.

Communication and Marketing:

• Responsible for updates and management of the Center’s internal and external websites and social media accounts.
• Directs the marketing of the Center for Academic Success and services provided.
• Designs, creates and produces consumer information for students, parents, and other constituencies in various media.
• Maintains frequent and ongoing communication and collaborates with the Vice Provost for Research and Academic Success.

Safety:

• Follows workplace safety regulations and adheres to applicable standards, processes, and programs established for the position.
• Report unsafe work conditions to your supervisor.
• Immediately reports unsafe work conditions and work-related incidents to the supervisor and participates in accident investigation requests.
• Promote a safe and healthy work environment by ensuring the implementation of safety regulations and applicable standards, processes, and programs established for employees under your supervision.
• Ensure employees under your supervision are trained in safety standards and procedures for their positions.
• Report work-related incidents within 24 hours according to the procedures established by the university, state and federal guidelines.

Customer Service:

• Fosters and upholds a culture of exceptional customer service and professional relationships within the office and across all constituencies, including students, faculty, staff, guests, and employees. Demonstrates a positive, professional demeanor while treating everyone with dignity and respect. Fully embraces the “Students First” value at CNU, consistently going above and beyond to deliver outstanding service.
• Develop and maintain very positive and professional customer service and/or relations within the office/department and with all constituencies to include students, faculty, staff, guests, and employees. Demonstrate a positive and professional attitude and treat everyone with dignity and respect. Fully support the “Student’s First” value at CNU and routinely goes the extra mile in providing service.
• Provide the highest level of customer service with a 95% satisfaction rating with constituencies served.
• Projects a positive image of the department and university to all constituents.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA's) related to position:

• Working knowledge of student development and educational learning theories.
• Strong organizational and communication skills to include written and oral.
• Ability to lead change and innovation in a complex environment with expertise in working effectively with various campus constituent groups.
• Ability to lead a team.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to manage priorities with competing deadlines and achieve needed outcomes.
• Ability to effectively communicate with various levels of campus leadership regarding student success trends, themes, etc.
• Ability to use computer technologies such as databases, spreadsheets, and tracking systems.

Required Education: Master’s degree or a Bachelor’s Degree and experience that equates to an advanced degree.

Additional Consideration - Education: Master’s Degree, or higher, in College Student Personnel, Counseling, Educational Psychology, Higher Education, or a related area.

Experience Required:

• Leadership, management, or supervisory experience in an education setting.
• Experience in higher education academic success services, student success services, advising, enrollment services, student affairs, or directly related higher education experience.
• Experience with student development.
• Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience handling confidential information with discretion according to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) or similar regulations.
• Experience with conducting analysis of data and writing detailed reports.
• Experience with computer technologies such as databases, spreadsheets, and tracking systems.

Additional Consideration - Experience:

• Experience with innovative and strategic leadership of teams in long and short-term planning and goal attainment.
• Experience related to student academic support services.
• Leadership, management, or supervisory experience in a higher education setting with demonstrated effectiveness in managing student academic success programs and services.
• Experience with assessment and continuous improvement with a commitment to understanding issues affecting the achievement and retention of undergraduate students.
• Experience with effectiveness in teaching at the collegiate level.
• Experience at working one-on-one with college students in an academic “coaching”/counseling dynamic.
• Experience in software applications such as Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Canva, etc.

Salary Information: Salary $92,200 to $115,200, Commensurate with Education and Experience

CNU Information:

Christopher Newport University is anchored in excellence, and that is reflected in our ranking as the #1 regional public university in Virginia and #3 among regional public universities in the South. We are an inclusive and kind community, founded on our shared values of honor, scholarship, service and leadership. We offer an outstanding liberal arts education provided by dedicated, gifted teacher-scholars who are supported by a compassionate team of faculty and staff. Our 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students pursue more than 90 areas of study, as they live and learn on a largely residential campus. CNU’s on-campus performing and visual arts centers offer Broadway shows, world-class performances, engaging exhibitions, transformative lectures and classes, and more. Our athletics program is the winningest at any level in Virginia.

Christopher Newport University is in the heart of Newport News, a vibrant city with breathtaking scenery and unique experiences. The city and region offer affordable neighborhoods, local and name-brand shops, diverse dining options, local parks and water access, and fun recreational opportunities. Whatever your interests and goals, you belong at CNU! For further details and information about Christopher Newport, visit cnu.edu.

Is this position telework eligible?: No

Posting Number: AP479P

Number of Vacancies: 1

Posting Date: 10/23/2026

Review Begin Date: 11/08/2026

Application Instructions:

Interested parties are requested to submit a cover letter; current resume; and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references at the time of application.

This position will be posted until filled; however, review of applications will begin on 11/08/2026.

Search finalists are required to complete a CNU sponsored background check.

Christopher Newport University (CNU) will make a reasonable effort to accommodate persons with disabilities in the application and/or interview process. Persons with disabilities who require accommodation should contact the CNU Human Resources Office by calling (757) 594-7145.

Quick Link for Internal Postings: https://jobs.cnu.edu/postings/21346

EEO/Diversity Statement(s):

Christopher Newport University, an EO Employer, is fully Committed to Access and Opportunity.

Notice of Non-Discrimination & Title IX Policy Statement