Specialist - Advisor-Fixed Term

Working/Functional Title

CANR Director of Student Success

Position Summary

Primary purpose: Provide leadership in the college on strategies, design, and implementation approaches for student success initiatives and programs.  Identify, implement, oversee, and assess student success initiatives and programs, including but not limited to

• Retention initiatives including but not limited to the college based REAP program.
• Design and implement interdepartmental student success initiatives.
• Design and implement an undergraduate peer advisor program.
• Supervise Peer Advisors.
• Utilize data to identify students experiencing risk factors that impact retention, persistence, and graduation.
• Develop and oversee targeted engagement activities for undergraduate students.
• Collaboration on grant opportunities that provide robust support activities for students.
• Represent the college on student success and related committees including but not limited to (UAL & Student Success Group)

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, Academic advising and Student Success, the Director of Student Success and programming will lead college-wide initiatives that support the academic goals of the college in the areas of student success and targeted retention programming. This position works with OASA peers to support undergraduate students across the life cycle of college, inclusive of college-bound and enrolled students. The Director will identify and develop resources that reduce risk factors, support psychological fortitude, cultivate belonging, and support success practices.

The Director will support college-wide programs including, but not limited to, colloquium, commencement, NSO, Undergraduate Research Program, ANR Distinguished Scholarship Competition, and REAP.  The Director will oversee the development, implementation, and administration of a peer-support program with particular attention devoted to reducing risk factors. The candidate must embrace our core value of ensuring that all students and constituents of the university are served in a caring, respectful, transparent, and authentic manner.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

• Be a resource to and support the OASA team and department advisors on advising, retention, university policies, and risk reduction strategies.
• Collaborate with OASA team members to research critical academic issues, analyze academic metrics, and provide guidance on gaps found that impact student success in CANR.
• Support the persistence, retention, and educational success of CANR undergraduate students through a comprehensive knowledge of MSU and college-wide programs, initiatives, and policies.
• Work in parallel with students, academic advisors, OASA team to support students in planning and preparing for degree completion, graduate school admissions, and career placement.
• Provides information and answers complex questions from students, staff, and the public regarding college programs, policies and procedures, and programs and services offered within CANR.
• Plan, coordinate and establish training modules for the student peer-advisors.
• Plan and implement data-led attrition-reduction strategies to support student success.
• Utilize the Student information system to identify pertinent reports that can be leveraged for data-driven decision-making.
• Networking and collaborating with College and University partners to discuss, plan, and enact student success efforts. 
• Provides leadership across the College in the design and implementation of student success initiatives.
• Design and implement sustainable student success programs and activities grounded in high-impact student success practices and responsive to students’ needs.
• Serve on committees aimed at promoting student success across campus.
• Represent unit as a conference presenter and conduct presentations/discussions to promote student success.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters -Student Affairs Administration, Higher Education, Counseling, or field relevant to the delivery of undergraduate programs & services.

Minimum Requirements

Five years of experience addressing college-wide undergraduate programs, including academic advising and strategic student success initiatives.

Desired Qualifications

• 5+ years of academic advising and programming and student engagement.
• Experience using University systems, including Campus Solutions/SIS, ESAF, SLATE, Tableau

• Experience with Academic Standing of Undergraduate Students (ASUS) process
• Experience mapping university and college policies, procedures, and mandates affecting student success.
• Supervisory and staff development experience
• Use of student development theories in practice

Required Application Materials

Cover letter, resume and 3 professional references.

Review of Applications Begins On

05/25/2026

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/academics/office-of-academic-and-student-affairs/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.