Director of Student Services

Reporting directly to the Deputy President of the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, the Director of Student Services is responsible for managing matters relating to the general social, cultural, welfare, and retention of students for a growing campus and online student population.

The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons to fill the position of:

Director of Student Services 

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the Deputy President of the University of the Commonwealth  Caribbean, the Director of Student Services is responsible for managing matters relating to the general social, cultural, welfare, and retention of students for a growing campus and online student population.

The Director ensures that the University offers a comprehensive array of quality student services which support and enhance the on-campus and online instructional programmes and which promote student success. The Director will establish the strategic plan for Student Services for the University and ensures that the resources, policy and translation of policy into organizational structure are in place for success in conjunction with university-wide strategic planning and assessment. Successful programmes will advance student governance and leadership development, recruitment, counseling and support services, mediation services, learning outcomes, assessment, student engagement, student persistence, volunteerism and community engagement, extra-mural programmes, alumni career attainment, and alumni engagement.

Areas for management and oversight may include the following student affairs functions for campus and online/distance learners: social organizations, counseling and support services, student government, student conduct/behavior, and student satisfaction and assessment activities, delivery of career and alumni services, and behavioral intervention teams.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participates in the establishment of current and long-range goals, objectives, plans and policies for Student Services, subject to approval by the Academic Affairs directorate.

• Oversees the development and facilitation of extracurricular and co-curricular activities/programmes that promote personal growth and student success.

• Provide individual and/or group counseling to students. 

• Conducts orientation programme for new students with other members of faculty and staff.

• Promotes student participation in social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities.

• Coordinates preparation and publication of a Student Services/Institutional Calendar.

• Plan and coordinate career advisement events and expositions.  Support academic advisement process and services.

• Facilitate the process of student governance through the Student Union and the establishment of Academic and Social Clubs. Provide oversight to current and planned student clubs at UCC.

• Provide support, advice, guidance, direction and authorization to student groups and clubs in carrying out plans consistent with established UCC policies.

• Address student conduct issues as necessary.  Responsible for communicating student conduct policies and procedures to student and staff for maintaining accurate files for conduct violations occurring at the school. Facilitate student adherence to UCC policies.

• Visit and provide chaplaincy support for students dealing with personal/family illness or bereavement.

• Organize and manage intra-mural competitions (including sports, debates, entrepreneurial etc)

• Collaborate with other departments in support of a coordinated approach to student recruitment and retention activities and participate in the evaluation of such initiatives.

• Plan annual Education Rally to increase spring intake.

• Initiate, develop, and sustain strong positive relations with they leadership of Academic Affairs to ensure the achievement of the strategic mission of the UCC.

• Conduct student development seminars (personal development, social graces etc).

• Develop and monitor health and welfare support measures.

• Maintain accurate records of the activities of the Student Services Office and provide a monthly report on these activities.

TEACHING

• Teaching responsibilities include time spent in the classroom, laboratory, or Distance Education courses and in immediate preparation for them; maintaining and improving competence in subjects being taught; preparing teaching materials; conferring with students on course materials; directing individual and group studies; marking and/or reviewing written examination and papers; evaluating visual presentations; supervising independent study projects and supervising cooperative internship programmes. Professional peer review is an essential component of effective teaching.

ADVISING

• Student advising includes time spent meeting with students regarding academic, curricular and career matters.
• It is the responsibility of the lecturer to inform students on matters as requested by the University.  In particular, the lecturer is required to encourage the students to register and should the number of students fall to an uneconomic quantity, that module shall be removed from the University list of offerings.

You are expected to teach a maximum of two (2) courses. Your dual role is broken down as follows:

60% - Director of Student Services

40% - Lecturing

Minimum Requirements:

• A Masters Degree in Counseling, Education or Business.
• A Doctoral Degree would be an asset.
• At least five (5) years of experience in one or more of the following: student affairs, higher education administration or higher education counseling services is required.

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with both student and faculty populations
• Superior organizational and problem resolution skills
• Strong computer and analytical skills
• Ability to carry out details of planned outcomes

Abilities:

• Work effectively as a leader or team member to ensure that departmental goals are met.
• Ability to prioritize work and perform well under pressure.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and perform well under pressure.
• Ability to comply with regulatory requirements with respect to student academic records and other documentation.

Only Shortlisted Applicants will be contacted