*Revised* Director of Online Student Experience, UNLV Online Education - Instructional Design [R0141475]

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas invites applications for Director of Online Student Experience, UNLV Online Education - Instructional Design [R0141475]

ROLE of the POSITION

The Office of Online Education welcomes applications for the Director, Online Student Experience.  This position is responsible for the leadership, implementation, and oversight of the online student experience with a primary emphasis on supporting online learners in fully online degree programs and other students enrolling in online/hybrid course modalities. Primary responsibilities include providing work direction and management to the Online Student Support Specialists, developing and enhancing the execution of both ongoing and ad hoc campaigns (onboarding/matriculation, advising, retention, progression, referral, connection to resources, completion) in the Salesforce platform (Rebel Success Hub), equity-focused assessment and analysis of online student success initiatives, design and implementation of proactive student outreach and other programming that is geared toward fostering a sense of belongingness.

This role leads multiple complex success and retention-related initiatives for UNLV, NSHE, professional association and/or accreditation agencies. The director of online student experience serves as an expert voice in advancing online student-centered and equity-minded programs, practices, and strategies across all aspects of the student experience and ensures that students who enter UNLV have the opportunity to succeed through focused, intentional, cross-disciplinary academic programs, and interventions.

The increased emphasis from NSHE and campus leadership on student success, eliminating achievement gaps, proactive advising/outreach, and data informed decisions make this position critical to UNLV. The director of online student experience supervises a team of Online Student Support Specialists (OSSS). This team is composed of full time staff with a permanent caseload of students enrolled in online only sub plans and temporary caseloads of students taking only online classes on an intermittent basis. The OSSS team requires support, training and strategic work direction to ensure fully-online students receive equitable learning opportunities and are retained, progress and complete at rates comparable to in-person students.

In addition, the director of online student experience works closely with the Student Outreach Specialist (SOS) team who contact students identified at the time of initial enrollment with 3 or more risk factors for attrition. As a result of the SOS team efforts, in collaboration with AVPSS office and academic colleges, we have increased the first year retention of this group of students to almost 70%. The SOS team requires support, training and strategic work direction to expand momentum for current and future incoming first-year cohorts.

The role is responsible for directing online student retention and success efforts, formulating research-based decisions regarding the development of online services, assisting in the planning, implementation and evaluation of student support systems and collaborating with faculty and staff to narrow the achievement gap and improve overall student and faculty success. Using a growth mindset (Dweck, 2007), the Director works with the Division of Student Affairs, the Academic Success Center and the Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success to ensure the unique needs of online students are met.

The director of online student experience helps advance and refine innovative gamechanger student success strategies and further leverage the functionality of our Rebel Success Hub platform (Salesforce). The role provides leadership, accountability metrics, and support to college advising directors, RPC coordinators, and FY advisors in alignment with Provost Office expectations and priorities related to student success, retention, and completion.

The role directs online student retention and success efforts, formulates research-based decisions regarding the development of online services, assisting in the planning, implementation and evaluation of student support systems and collaborates with faculty and staff to narrow the achievement gap and improve overall student and faculty success.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university as recognized by the United States Department of Education and/or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and 3-5 years of experience working in student affairs or student services in higher education, and 1-3 years of supervisory and management experience. Credentials must be obtained prior to the start date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree
• A professional who has worked in higher education and understands the research, theory, resources and practices that promote online student success and educational equity is important.  Additionally, a professional who has experience in implementing student success initiatives through data informed decisions in a platform similar to the Salesforce Student Success Hub is ideal.

Required knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of customer relation management tools, student information systems and data analytics software
• Knowledge of equity minded and student centered practices in higher education
• Knowledge of caseload management strategies
• Knowledge of proactive student success principles, appreciative advising, and strengths based approaches to promoting student success for diverse students in higher education
• Knowledge of lateral leadership principles skills to advance online student success across UNLV with a wide range of constituents
• Working knowledge of degree requirements including major and general education requirements
• Skills to mediate between multiple stakeholders when identifying problems, deploying solutions, and enhancing services.
• Excellent coordination, communication, and organizational skills
• Specialized skills to analyze and diagnose complex procedural problems or situations accurately and make recommendations for improvement
• Strong writing, proofreading, and editorial skills are essential
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build partnerships and collaborative initiatives in support of student success
• Skill in advocating for fully online, post-traditional student needs
• Ability to lead and support multiple groups and constituents through influence rather than positional authority in support of fully online, post-traditional student belongingness
• Ability to develop strategic actions using data to promote student progress
• Ability to use relational databases and search engines.
• Ability to provide effective training on fully-online student and post-traditional student success for faculty, staff, and administrators
• Ability to collaborate and maintain effective working relationships with various Academic and Student Affairs units
• Ability and specialized skills to analyze and diagnose complex procedural problems or situations accurately and make recommendations for improvement.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and software Microsoft Office (Access, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word, Google Suite)
• Ability to carry out a variety of professionally complex assignments autonomously
• Ability to interpret, summarize, and create reports
• Ability to integrate data from multiple sources and complete analytical evaluations of student outcomes
• Ability to use data to develop executive summaries and compelling content for multiple audiences

Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of Salesforce Student Success Hub, PeopleSoft, and SAS Analytics Software
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and trends of online student success as well as thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures and practices of programs that impact retention and graduation.
• Skills in developing learning outcomes and associated instructional techniques to support the training and professional development of individuals and groups on utilization of the Salesforce Rebel Success HubUNLV Campus Connect and related campus information systems
• Skill in collaborating with enrollment services, institutional research, information technology, advisors, financial aid and university administrators
• Ability to operate advanced systems such as PeopleSoft, SAS software analysis software, Salesforce Rebel Success Hub
• Ability to deliver engaging and ongoing professional development related to continuous advancement of UNLV Rebel Success Hub

COMMITMENT to DIVERSITY and CAMPUS VALUES

A successful candidate will support diversity, equity, and inclusiveness and contribute to a respectful, positive work environment. They will use our Campus Values to guide their decisions and actions and demonstrate our Rebel spirit.

SALARY

Salary competitive with those at similarly situated institutions.

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT UNLV

• Competitive total rewards package including:
  • Paid time off, sick leave, and holidays
  • Excellent health insurance including medical, dental and vision
  • Comprehensive retirement plans and voluntary benefits programs
• No state income tax
• Tuition discounts at Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) schools
• Tuition discounts for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents

PERKS

• Employee recognition and appreciation programs
• Connect with colleagues with shared interests
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• UNLV athletics ticket discounts
• Statewide employee purchase program discounts
• RebelCard discounts on and off campus
• Wellness programming for all UNLV faculty and staff at no cost
• Opportunity for career advancements to leadership roles

*REVISED* HOW TO APPLY

Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted. References will not be contacted until the search chair notifies you in advance.

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based.

Although this position will remain open until filled, review of candidates' materials will begin on April 15, 2024.

Materials should be addressed to Amber Ford, Search Committee Chair, and must be submitted through Workday, as we do not accept emailed materials. For assistance with the application process, please contact UNLV Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or [email protected] .

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTERNAL NSHE CANDIDATES

UNLV employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) MUST use the "Find Jobs" process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at UNLV and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Find Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate this specific job posting by typing the job requisition number, "R0141475" in the search box.

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

PROFILE of the UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1957, UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution of approximately 30,000 students and more than 3,600 faculty and staff. To date, UNLV has conferred more than 152,000 degrees, producing more than 130,000 alumni around the world. UNLV is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as an R1 research university with very high research activity. The university is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region's diversifying population and workforce, driving economic activity through increased research and community partnerships, and creating an academic health center for Southern Nevada that includes the launch of a new UNLV School of Medicine. UNLV is located on a 332-acre main campus and two satellite campuses in Southern Nevada.

Here at UNLV, we have come together and created one of the most affirmative and dynamic academic environments in the country. UNLV sits in the top spot in U.S. News & World Report's annual listing of the nation's most diverse universities for undergraduates. The university has ranked in the top ten since the rankings debuted more than a decade ago. We continue to show our commitment to serving our wonderfully diverse population and building the future for Las Vegas and Nevada.

For more information, visit us on line at: http://www.unlv.edu

EEO/AA STATEMENT

The University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV) is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person's age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). Discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including unlawful harassment, which is a form of discrimination, is illegal under federal and state law. Where unlawful discrimination is found to have occurred, UNLV will act to stop the unlawful discrimination, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, and to discipline those responsible. Women, minorities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

TITLE IX STATEMENT

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates. Non-discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106). The University's commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: Michelle Sposito, J.D., Title IX Coordinator, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 451062, Las Vegas, NV 89154-1062, Frank and Estella Beam Hall (BEH) Room 553, Telephone: (702) 895-4055; Email: [email protected] , or to The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100; Telephone: 1-800-421-3481 FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 1-800-877-8339; Email: [email protected] ; or to both. 

Information pertaining to the University's grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the University will respond can be found online at the Office of Equal Employment & Title IX webpage.

SAFETY AND SECURITY STATEMENT

UNLV is committed to assisting all members of the UNLV community in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report compliance document is available online.

JOB CATEGORY

Administrative Faculty

Required Attachment(s)

UNLV is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action educator and employer committed to achieving excellence through diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, age, creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas employs only United States citizens and non-citizens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Women, under-represented groups, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.