Assistant Dean of Student Success

Unity Environmental University is seeking an Assistant Dean of Student Success to oversee student support and graduation services for Distance Education students. This role involves collaborating with the Advising team to enhance student retention and implementing innovative student experience initiatives. The position requires providing proactive advising, ensuring superior customer service, and supervising Distance Education Advisors. The university prioritizes accessible, flexible education for diverse learners.
About Unity:

At Unity Environmental University we are on a mission to make
environmental education accessible and affordable to all. Our
unique model combines a functional hierarchy and project-based
structure through our four Sustainable Education Business Units
(SEBUs) to promote collaboration and innovation (Distance
Education, Sustainable Ventures, Hybrid Learning and the Technical
Institute for Environmental Professions). We prioritize our
students' needs above all else, offering a variety of modalities,
including hybrid, in-person, hyflex, and online. Our innovative and
inclusive culture prepares students to tackle real-world challenges
and cultivate the next generation of environmental professionals
and leaders who can make a positive impact on our world.

Our Mission:

We are dedicated to delivering quality education and experiences
that produce outstanding environmentally competent professionals
and inspire individuals from all walks of life to steward
sustainable ecosystems.

About Distance Education :

Distance Education provides an entirely asynchronous, online
learning experience that adapts to the unique circumstances of each
student. Our fully accredited bachelor's and master's degree
programs, as well as non-degree credits, empower learners to shape
their own educational journey. With 8 five-week terms for
undergraduates and 5 eight-week terms for graduate students, our
model offers unparalleled flexibility. You can learn at your own
pace, and take breaks as needed. By using your everyday environment
as your laboratory, you'll integrate your studies into your daily
life. This makes our education ideal for busy professionals who
seek to advance their careers while still honoring their
commitments. We are committed to empowering our students to become
the changemakers our world needs, wherever they are.

The Opportunity:

The Assistant Dean of Student Success assists the Dean of Retention
and Completion in the oversight of the design, delivery, and
quality of student support, as well as completion and graduation
services for all Distance Education students. This position also
assists in the implementation of student experience initiatives to
position the Institution as a forward-thinking leader in student
services.

Within the framework of functional leadership, the Assistant Dean
of Student Success works closely with the Advising team to achieve
student retention and persistence goals. The Assistant Dean of
Student Success will cooperate in ensuring that services are
accessible, consistent, innovative, and supportive of all Distance
Education audiences. This position reports to the Dean of Retention
and Completion

Day to day responsibilities :
• Serve as part of the student success leadership team to oversee
the delivery of proactive advising services for prospective and
current students.
• Ensure a culture of superior customer service through example,
encouragement, and direction to staff.
• Assist the Dean of Retention and Completion in the supervision
and oversight of 5-15 Distance Education Advisors.
• Serve as an Advisor for up to 100 students, in addition to any
unassigned students, overflow, or backup to other advisors as
needed; while maintaining appropriate records.
• Collect and communicate team data on course needs, billing and
financial aid, degree audits, and other data requested to support
functions of the team.
• Assist the Dean of Retention and Completion in the training and
development of Advisors, while monitoring their student
interactions for maximum student support.
• Ensure that standardized practices for student enrollment are
implemented and keep training documents updated.
• Demonstrate adherence to Institutional policies and procedures
and provide feedback, while assisting others to do the same.
• Provide first line of support to advisors, while bringing
exception requests forward to leadership.
• Serve as a liaison to other units as needed and assist in
distributing data necessary to carry out the work of the advising
team.
• Proactively communicate challenges, successes, and failures to
student success leadership.
• Lead an assigned project for the team in assigned area such as
student onboarding, stopout retention, ADA coordination, or
graduation/completion.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Do you have the skills?
• Bachelor’s degree
• Two years higher education administration experience, with
experience in delivering student support services, including direct
online student support.
• Supervisory and staff development skills to effectively manage
teams, inspire quality performance, and enhance morale.
• Excellent initiative and organizational skills with ability to
work both autonomously and in a team.
• Great time management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with strong
interpersonal skills.
• Strong understanding of student financial aid.
• Ability and willingness to work with students from diverse
political/socioeconomic backgrounds and a wide range of physical
and academic abilities.
• Strong customer service skills including the ability to
deescalate difficult situations.
• Demonstrated record of leadership of either projects,
initiatives, or personnel.
• Goal driven.
• Adaptable and flexible schedule.
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Technology skills that include the use of word processing,
spreadsheets and database systems to efficiently use and manipulate
data.
• Experience in asynchronous online programs.
• Personal commitment to the environmental focus and mission of
the Institution.
• Ability to function effectively within a matrix organizational
structure, maintaining open lines of communication while being
discreet, courteous, and well poised.
• Valid Maine Driver’s License with a good driving record.

Preferred Skills
• Master’s degree
• Five years higher education administration experience, with
experience in delivering student support services, including direct
online student support.
• At least 2 years of experience in full-time online higher
education student advising.
• Experience working with adult, military, or low socioeconomic
populations.
• ADA training and experience working with students with
disabilities in a higher education setting.
• Experience in career services/placement.
• Experience using Salesforce.
• Leadership and/or supervisory experience.

Are you contemplating the job but uncertain if you should
apply? We encourage you to reach out to us regardless. At our
company, we acknowledge that not everyone begins their professional
journey with equal advantages, opportunities, or privileges.
Therefore, we value your unique skills and experiences. Take a
chance and submit your application; you may be precisely the
individual we're searching for!

Location: Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, Maine

Just a half hour from Portland, Unity Environmental University
Headquarters, Unity Environmental University Distance Education,
The Technical School for Environmental Professions, and the School
of Environmental Business & Sustainable Ventures are based at
the Pineland Farms campus. The facilities are within easy access to
one of the fastest-growing cities for startups in the
country.

Work Schedule:

Work hours are specific to the requirements of this position and
can include days, evenings, weekends. Working extended hours may be
required as needed and Unity Environmental University employees
must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling their
responsibilities while meeting the institution's needs.

Although at Unity Environmental University Enterprise employees are
generally scheduled to work at their base location, there are times
when travel is necessary and employees are required from time to
time to attend events, meetings or work temporary assignment at any
Unity Environmental University location.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, it is regularly required
to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to
stand or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up
to 20 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include
close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception,
and the ability to adjust focus. The use of either hand for
repetitive movements such as grasping, grasping, and turning, and
fine manipulation is required as is the ability to use the
telephone for internal and external communications.

Company Perks:

Unity Environmental University offers a comprehensive and
competitive compensation and benefits package for its faculty and
staff. Benefits for eligible employees include:
• Paid holidays off
• 4 weeks of PTO
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-term disability
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan with up to 8% match
• Relocation Assistance