Location: Hickory, North Carolina
Position Summary
The Assistant Director for Student Support and Outreach supports the university's efforts to promote student success, persistence and well-being through direct student support, outreach, resource connection, care coordination and follow-up for students experiencing personal, academic, financial, social or other challenges that may affect their success.
Reporting to the Associate Dean of Students, the Assistant Director provides day-to-day coordination and administrative support for the operations and initiatives of Student Support and Outreach. The position serves as a student advocate, resource and liaison for students, faculty, staff and campus partners; manages assigned student concerns and outreach efforts; and coordinates designated departmental programs, processes, communications and projects.
The Assistant Director has independent responsibility for assigned departmental functions and ensures that related outreach, communication, documentation, data collection, follow-up and coordination are completed accurately and in a timely manner. The position provides the Associate Dean with information, data and recommendations to support departmental decision-making, assessment and continuous improvement.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Student Support, Outreach, and Care Coordination
- Coordinate the assignment and tracking of student cases, ensuring timely outreach, documentation, follow-up and appropriate resolution.
- Provide consultation, outreach, referral and follow-up to students experiencing academic, personal, social, financial, basic-needs, health or other challenges affecting student success, often in coordination with appropriate university and community resources.
- Assess student needs, assist students in navigating university processes and coordinate appropriate referrals and follow-up.
- Maintain accurate, timely and confidential records of student contacts, referrals, interventions and outcomes in accordance with university policies and applicable regulations.
- Participate in student care and concern review processes, provide relevant information regarding assigned students and communicate timely updates to campus partners.
- Recognize complex or sensitive concerns requiring additional consultation and communicate those concerns to the Associate Dean or appropriate university personnel.
- Supervise the Graduate Assistant, including assigning and monitoring work and ensuring completion of assigned departmental tasks and projects.
Data, Administrative Coordination, and Assessment
- Utilize university systems and student affairs technology to document student contacts, referrals, follow-up, interventions, program participation and outcomes.
- Collect, track and compile departmental and program data, including student outreach, referrals, engagement, resource connections and other measures, to support reporting and assessment activities.
- Prepare routine reports, summaries, dashboards and data updates for the Associate Dean to support assessment, planning and decision-making.
- Identify and communicate trends, patterns, gaps and emerging student needs reflected in departmental data to the Associate Dean.
- Support the Associate Dean in using departmental data and information to evaluate services, identify opportunities for improvement and inform departmental priorities.
Programs, Educational Outreach, and Communication
- Coordinate designated Student Support and Outreach programs, presentations and initiatives that address identified student needs, including initiatives related to basic needs, belonging, engagement, persistence and connection to resources.
- Provide educational outreach and training to faculty, staff and students on student support resources, referral processes and recognizing students who may be experiencing challenges.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff and campus partners.
- Evaluate assigned programs and initiatives through participation tracking, feedback, data collection and other appropriate assessment methods.
Additional Duties
- Serve on university, departmental or other committees and task forces as assigned.
- Support university events, including recruitment, orientation, welcome programs, family events, commencement and other university activities as appropriate.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the Associate Dean of Students.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required; master's degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, social work, human services or a related field preferred; or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
- Two or more years of experience in student affairs, student support, academic support, case management or a related area within a college or university setting.
- Knowledge of current issues, trends and practices affecting college students and student support services, with a demonstrated commitment to student success and development.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds and experiences and to establish supportive, professional relationships with students, faculty, staff and campus partners.
- Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and maintain appropriate confidentiality in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and institutional policies.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently while maintaining effective communication with the Associate Dean.
- Strong problem-solving, judgment and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to respond appropriately and compassionately to complex student needs and situations.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and student affairs technology, including case management systems and other software used to support student services.
Physical Requirements
- Some prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Ability to lift up to 30 pounds at times.
- Ability to travel with students, faculty and staff throughout campus and off campus as needed.
- Ability to traverse various campus grounds and facilities.
- Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation as required.
Work Schedule
- Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional evening and weekend work based on departmental programs and responsibilities.
- Occasional participation in after-hours or weekend student support activities may be required. The work schedule is subject to change based on university needs, scheduled programs and university growth.
Behavioral Expectations
- Maintain high integrity, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
- Maintain a healthy and safe environment.
- Maintain and contribute to a professional, respectful, courteous, diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment
- Treat other individuals with dignity, respect, and kindness.
- Adhere to all university policies, procedures, standards, values, and comply with all federal, state, and local laws.
Position requirements in the role description outlined above indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities deemed necessary to perform the job competently. Role descriptions are an overview of the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list for the position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related assignments as requested and acquire new skills and responsibilities. Lenoir-Rhyne University reserves the right to modify, add, remove, or waive the responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position.
Application Process
While completing the application, candidates will be prompted to submit:
- Three professional references
References will only be contacted for finalists, and candidates will be notified in advance.
The university’s mission, vision, and values statements may be reviewed using About LR.
Lenoir-Rhyne University promotes a welcoming campus environment that is integral to the university's commitment to excellence in engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience nurturing a welcoming community, working with faculty, staff and/or students from all walks of life and/or incorporating varied perspectives and traditions in their current or previous positions. This commitment is rooted in our Lutheran tradition of fostering wisdom, nurturing vocation and preparing students for lives of purpose while serving the common good.
About Lenoir-Rhyne University
Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private, comprehensive institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a city of more than 40,000. The university has additional graduate centers in Asheville, N.C., and Columbia, S.C. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lenoir- Rhyne is less than an hour’s drive from Charlotte, and the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of about 365,000. The university now offers more than 45 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs to approximately 2,400 students. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build community, and promote responsible leadership for service to the world. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne is open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy
Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
LR is committed to creating a safe campus environment for all members of the LR community, including, but not limited to, those who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. To that end, LR does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including sex stereotypes and sex characteristics), ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.
To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program, activity and employment, LR has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment, and for allegations of retaliation.
LR values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
