Position Opening: Director, Asian American Student Academic Program (AASAP) at UIC

Title: Director – Asian American Student Academic Program (Job ID #164459)
Department: Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs and Academic Programs
Category: Academic Professional
Location: Chicago

Closing Date: 06/09/2022

Description: The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is accepting applications for the inaugural Director of the Asian American Student Academic Support program. As a part of the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs and Academic Programs and reporting to the Associate Vice Provost for Student Success, the Director develops and implements academic support initiatives for the UIC Asian American student population that enhances student transition from high school, assists students in acclimating to college learning strategies, and promotes access, academic achievement, social integration, persistence and graduation of Asian American students. The Director provides leadership in promoting recruitment and academic support services to Asian American students to increase student enrollment, retention and graduation rates. The Director fosters relationships with campus partners and local and national organizations.

UIC is one of the most diverse universities in the nation and has been designated a Minority Serving Institution, an Asian-American and Native-American Pacific Islander Serving Institution, and a Hispanic Serving Institution. UIC is the largest research university in Chicago and enjoys the strongest enrollment growth in Illinois with a student body of 34,000 and 3,100 faculty. UIC is in the top 5% of the most ethnically diverse universities in the United States and is focused on eliminating disparities in health, education, and economic opportunity.

Duties:

Strategic Planning and Goal Setting

• Establish the strategic direction, develop and implement student academic support initiatives, including courses, programs, and seminars; monitor and assess program effectiveness. Set department short and long-term goals.
• Provide input to senior leadership for policy level direction regarding communication strategies, curricula, and learning needs of Asian American students to ensure the continuing recruitment, retention and matriculation of these students.
• Evaluate the impact of policies and procedures on student progress and monitor the advisors’ interpretations of policies and communication processes with students.
• Build collaborative relationships with internal and external constituents to address the needs, retention, and graduation of students. Develop and implement strategies and programs to raise campus awareness of internal and external research opportunities for undergraduates using a variety of media.

Administration

• Direct the daily operations of Asian American Student Academic Program including financial management, human resources, information systems, and procurement. Create an environment that promotes the emotional and interpersonal health of the targeted student population.
• Oversee and monitor state budget allocation, expenditures, gifts and grants, and ensure compliance with appropriate local, state, and federal regulations.
• Engage in ongoing communication, consultation and collaboration with the units that provide services and programs for students to ensure that the needs of Asian American students in general are understood and appropriately addressed and incorporated in policies, procedures, etc.

Program Management

• Assess programs and services offered by the unit. Obtain and review academic outcomes related to the targeted student population such as grade point average, retention and graduation rates for long term trends, and adjust programming and services accordingly to improve student success.
• Oversee the management and implementation of the department’s learning resources.
• Continually analyze systemic barriers in the university which impeded the academic programs and social integration of Asian American students and propose possible solutions and participate substantively in the identification and implementation of resolutions.

Student Outreach and Recruitment

• Provide augmented orientation programs in coordination with regular Orientation, Global Asian Studies, and the Asian American Resource and Cultural Center to provide additional information to Asian American students.
• Establish and maintain relationships with community, both in Illinois and nationally, and local schools to establish long term student recruiting.
• Research and implement communication strategies through social media and other sources provide effective outreach to both UIC Asian American students and to the broader community.
• Foster relationships with local and national Asian American communities and organizations.

Staff Management

• Plan, assign and review work of staff to ensure that group objectives are met. Hire, train, develop and manage staff to ensure that a qualified staff exists to meet group objectives.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree required, Ph.D. preferred.

A minimum of five years experience managing educational support and/or advising programs for underserved student populations in a higher educational setting or related field. Familiarity with cultures and issues evident in the Asian American community.

A demonstrated ability to manage a support program focused on the retention, graduation, and success of underrepresented students.

Demonstrated ability to work with confidential and sensitive material. Knowledge of positive youth development, advising and coaching theory and ability to apply concepts to support programs preferred.

Experience with academic advising, programming, and assessment. Strong teaching and interpersonal skills, excellent written and verbal communication.

Demonstrated and effective planning, fiscal, analytical, and supervisory skills. Evidence of strong leadership and effective relationship building skills.

For fullest consideration, please submit a letter of interest, resume, and the names and contact information for three references at https://jobs.uic.edu by June 9, 2022. Questions can be directed to Gerardo Jimenez, Director of Operations at gjimenez@uic.edu.