Associate University Director, Student Rights & Responsibilities
Reporting to the University Director Student Affairs, the Associate University Director, Student Rights & Responsibilities collaborates with university leadership to enhance the student experience across all campuses and online programs. This role focuses on implementing and evaluating initiatives that support student mental and physical well-being, increasing awareness and access to Accessibility Services, and promoting understanding of academic and behavioral conduct standards. The Associate Director also plays a key role in addressing student grievances and complaints and provides support for Title IX compliance. Additional responsibilities include reviewing and revising policies and processes, developing training for students and staff, establishing measurable outcomes and assessment methods, and preparing an annual strategic work plan and budget. The Associate Director chairs the Student Success and Wellness Subcommittee and ensures institutional compliance with all relevant regulatory and accrediting bodies. Essential Functions & Responsibilities: Provides leadership and daily oversight of Student Rights and Responsibilities operations and activities related to comprehensive initiatives in support of student mental/physical wellness, accessibility services, grievances, student academic and behavioral conduct. Serve as backup to University Director of Student Affairs when the University Director is out of office; serve as proxy for University Director of Student Affairs for required signatures and for decisions related to escalated student/campus issues, active initiatives, budget, personnel, etc. Serve as chair for the Student Success and Wellness Subcommittee of the University Student Advisory Committee; oversee and ensure Student Rights and Responsibilities compliance with all regulatory agencies, state and governing boards and accrediting bodies, including but not limited to the Jeanne Cleary Act, ADA, Title IX, ACICS, WASC, and BPPE. Develop engaging Campus Support Services-sponsored student events/activities and WCU-wide support resources (both on ground and online) in support of student mental/physical wellness, Accessibility Services, student academic and behavioral conduct. Create annual event calendar; collaborate with Student Communications and Social Media teams to promote and build awareness. Serve as subject matter expert (SME) for Student Rights and Responsibilities-related information; lead development of online training modules for students, faculty, and associates on student mental/physical wellness, Accessibility Services, and student academic and behavioral conduct. Work closely with the University Director of Student Affairs to develop annual strategic work plans, outlining goals, timelines/schedules for deliverables, resource needs, and plans for assessment. Develop annual Student Rights and Responsibilities operating budget requests for review by the University Director of Student Affairs. Advise University Director of Student Affairs on related administrative policy/process needs, draft new or revised policies and processes and shepherd through appropriate review and approval channels. Collaborate with University stakeholders including but not limited to the Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Human Resources, and Campus Executive Directors/Deans/Directors of Student Affairs to embed Rights and Responsibilities content into annual WCU Academic Conferences, faculty training, and student orientations, etc. In partnership with the University Director of Student Affairs, establish measurable and actionable standards, outcomes, and KPIs; develop effective assessment methods for all initiatives. Develop and maintain strong collaborative partnerships between WCU University Student Affairs, Campus Support Services and Campus stakeholders including but not limited to students, faculty, associates, Campus Executive Directors, and Campus Directors of Student Affairs. Draft content for internal and external communications; maintain and keep current the library of templates for conduct communications; review Student Rights and Responsibilities-related content for Gabby chatbot; maintain and enhance Student Rights and Responsibilities-related areas of student portal, student catalog, and University website; establish cadence for regular reviews and updates to ensure information is always current for students, faculty, and associates. Prepare complex qualitative and quantitative reports; proactively monitor and report on student outcomes specific to Student Rights and Responsibilities; prepare trend analyses indicating variances over time to be used in strategic decision making/planning. Ensure the maintenance and accuracy of student records in systems utilized by the Student Affairs; proactively identify and troubleshoot issues with IT partners. Maintain an understanding of relevant research on student mental/physical wellness, student accessibility, and student academic/behavioral conduct; participate in and consult with national higher education associations related to areas of oversight; attend and/or present at conferences to stay current on best higher-education practices; contribute to scholarship in the field. Maintain and protect confidentiality of all student, associate, and/or University information as required. Adhere to University policies and procedures and conduct job responsibilities in accordance with the standards set out in the University’s Code of Ethical Conduct, Compliance Agreement, Sexual Harassment Policy (or any related policies and procedures), applicable federal and state laws, and applicable professional standards. Represent Student Affairs on assigned task forces, committees, and work groups. Actively contribute to a supportive and fun work environment; model values of teamwork and shared success across all units under Student Affairs. Must be willing to work occasional evening and weekend hours and be flexible to adjust schedule as needed to best meet student and team needs and availability; occasional travel to California, Florida, and Texas campuses is required. Demonstrate advanced skills in delivering sound judgment and accurate, thorough work, in the midst of competing priorities and frequent interruptions and demands for time. Actively participate as a member of the Campus Support Services Leadership Team. Education, Experience & Skills: Master's Degree required in College Student Personnel, Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or related field. Current non-commercial driver's license. Minimum of five years of progressively responsible management-level experience working in an institution of higher education in the areas of accessibility services, judicial affairs/Title IX, student affairs, student administration, student support services. Additional experience working with nursing and health sciences students preferred but not required. Experience with regulatory and contractual compliance preferred. Demonstrated understanding of trends and best practices in the areas of student mental/physical wellness, student accessibility, and student academic/behavioral conduct, and their impact on student persistence/retention; extensive knowledge of University policies and processes related to student accessibility, student conduct and rights, and Title IX. Knowledge of state, federal and local laws/regulations relating to programs, governmental compliance, and other regulatory standards such as Title IX, ACICS, WASC, BPPE and other accreditation standards. Ability to conduct interviews and investigations using trauma-informed techniques when appropriate. Knowledge of crisis intervention and advocacy principles and practices; demonstrated experience in effectively de-escalating student concerns or behavioral issues and/or adeptly handling students not responding to de-escalation attempts. Strong ability to assess a situation quickly, demonstrate good judgment, and resolve issues; keen ability to balance the needs of the student/associate/faculty with the business of the University. Ability to develop and present educational programs and/or workshops, both on ground and online. Strong supervisory experience; hiring, training, coaching, assessing; ability to hold difficult performance-related conversations effectively and to handle performance issues quickly and decisively with compassion. Keen ability to examine and reengineer operations and procedures, formulate policy, and develop and implement best practices. Evidence of experience assessing efficacy of student support resources and programs; report writing; strong judgment, problem-solving, and creative-thinking skills. Demonstrated ability to lead decisively while allowing space for stakeholder feedback and ideas; keen instincts on when to build consensus and when to move swiftly to achieve desired outcomes. Ability to work with diverse populations and sensitivity to economic, cultural, and other issues related to persistence and retention of a diverse student population. Proven working experience with MSOffice, student information systems, Maxient, reporting tools, and communication technologies (including SMS and chat). Exercises care, proper use and maintenance of department equipment and supplies and identifies unsafe conditions and makes appropriate adjustments. LI-CM1 Campus: Administration Irvine Function: Leadership
