Associate Director, University Connect and Persist, Care Closet @ NKU, and FUEL NKU (internal only)

full time

The Associate Director plays an critical role in advancing student retention, persistence, and progression to graduation at Northern Kentucky University.

Reporting to and partnering closely with the Director, the Associate Director provides operational, programmatic, and personnel leadership for University Connect and Persist ( UCAP), Care Closet @ NKU, and FUEL NKU. This position supports the strategic integration and alignment of these distinct student support initiatives under a unified student success framework focused on basic needs access, coordinated care, and holistic student support.

The Associate Director oversees day-to-day operations across the three functional areas through the supervision and support of professional coordinators, AmeriCorps staff, and student employees. In collaboration with unit coordinators, this role ensures effective program implementation, cross-functional collaboration, staff development, assessment, and continuity of leadership across all initiatives.

This position also partners with campus and community stakeholders to advance strategic priorities, strengthen student success interventions, evaluate program effectiveness, and enhance coordinated retention efforts across the university.

1. Leadership, Supervision, and Unit Integration: Provide direct supervision and leadership to professional coordinator staff and indirect supervision of AmeriCorps KY College Coaches and student employees. Support onboarding, professional development, and cross-training efforts while fostering collaboration and operational alignment across UCAP, Care Closet @ NKU, and FUEL NKU as the units continue to evolve under a shared umbrella of student support services.

2. Student Success Operations and Intervention Strategies: In collaboration with the Director, assist in establishing and implementing proactive outreach, intervention, and coordinated care protocols related to student success initiatives. Develop and communicate early alert procedures, monitor operational effectiveness, and address issues impacting service delivery and student support outcomes.

3. Operational Oversight and Continuity of Leadership: Provide operational leadership and decision-making support for UCAP, Care Closet @ NKU, and FUEL NKU in the Director's absence, ensuring continuity of services, effective staff coordination, and responsiveness to student and institutional needs.

4. Data Assessment and Program Evaluation: Utilize institutional systems and tools including SAP, Workday, Navigate, and BW Reports, in partnership with Student Success Analytics, Institutional Research, and campus stakeholders, to assess program effectiveness, evaluate student success initiatives, and inform data-driven decision making across all program areas.

5. Strategic Planning and Program Development: Partner with the Director to help envision, develop, and implement strategic priorities, initiatives, and long-term goals for UCAP Programs and Services, including efforts that strengthen integration, scalability, and impact across the three units.

6. Strategic Planning and Program Development: Partner with the Director to help envision, develop, and implement strategic priorities, initiatives, and long-term goals for UCAP Programs and Services, including efforts that strengthen integration, scalability, and impact across the three units.

7. Community and External Partnerships: Cultivate and maintain relationships with external community organizations, donors, sponsors, and service partners to enhance resources, visibility, and support for student basic needs and retention initiatives.

8. Campus Collaboration and Student Support Coordination: Collaborate with university departments and campus partners-including Steely Library, the Office of Student Financial Assistance, Student Account Services, and others-to coordinate comprehensive student support services and strengthen institutional retention efforts.

9. Direct Student Support and Case Management: Maintain a limited caseload for direct student support services, including EASS scholarship processes, student alerts, progress reporting, and drop-in student assistance as needed.

10. University Engagement and Representation: Serve on university committees and represent UCAP, Care Closet @ NKU, and FUEL NKU at campus and community events, workshops, and presentations. Facilitate educational programming related to student success, retention, financial literacy, and basic needs support for students, families, faculty, staff, and other audiences.

Master's degree in Higher Education, Education, Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Student Development, or related field.

Experience with a range of software programs, student success platforms, data gathering and assessment tools; written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, team oriented