Lecturer A- Director of Student Success & Student Diversity

Apply now Job no:519901
Work type:Faculty Full Time
Location:UMass Amherst
Department: CNS Advising Center
Union: MSP
Categories:Faculty, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The CNS Director of Student Success and Diversity, a non-tenure-track faculty position (100% FTE) 12- month appointment, will provide leadership and supporting activities to advance the recruitment, retention, and successful degree completion of all students in the College of Natural Sciences (CNS), with a special focus on historically minoritized students in STEM. The Director will implement and use data from multiple sources to ensure high levels of student success. The Director will be responsible for: designing and implementing student success programming and assessing their effectiveness, grant writing, teaching, and student advising. The Director will partner with other campus units to assess diversity, student success, and to prepare and report findings that inform CNS's student success and diversity initiatives.

Essential Functions

• Serve as Program Manager for the NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program at UMass Amherst. Meet regularly with students in the LSAMP program on a 1:1 basis to provide academic coaching to support their applications to undergraduate research programs, track their academic progress, support their applications to graduate programs and fellowships in STEM. Review LSAMP student academic progress toward graduation as required by NSF. Review students for funding eligibility for conferences, graduate school interviews, and study abroad programs. Direct, manage and oversee all administrative and fiscal activity related to the LSAMP grant.
• Develop and teach seminars for undergraduate student success (e.g., LSAMP Programming and Bio-Pioneers).
• Manage, implement, assess and advance signature programs in the college to promote student success (e.g., Lee-SIP undergraduate research program, Bio-Pioneers, Forsythe-Grange peer mentoring program).
• Assist students in placement within a research lab and internships and advise students on participation in international experiences.
• Coordinate administration of CNS Student Emergency Fund.
• Design, execute and manage assessment activities that monitor student progression toward degree completion.
• Recommend and lead strategies to impact the retention of underserved students. Form relationships with the University partners including the Office of Student Success, Learning Resource Center, Office of Equity and Inclusion, departmental advisors, CMASS, etc.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management in the recruitment of CNS students from diverse backgrounds including transfer students. Participate in student recruitment events (e.g., Fall Visit Days; Destination Days; UREP).
• Support the student success needs of transfer students in CNS, including the STEM Starter Transfer Bridge program.
• Serve on the CNS Dean’s working groups addressing student success and diversity.
• Understand and apply the University Academic Regulations. Provide information about the curriculum and departments to prospective CNS students.
• Supervise the Associate and Assistant Directors in the Office of Student Success and Diversity.

Other Functions

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness. 
• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Masters Degree 
• Experience in working with students in a higher education academic setting, and specifically with students from underrepresented backgrounds.
• Supervisory experience of undergraduate or graduate students or staff.
• Experience advising students.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and experience with culturally diverse (e.g., Black, Latine, Asian, Native American), and other underrepresented populations in STEM (females, low-income, first-generation).

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Ph.D. in STEM discipline.
• Experience advising college-level students.
• Strong team orientation and ability to collaborate with internal and external constituents.
• Strong organizational and planning skills and efficiency in handling multiple projects.
• Demonstrated experience in grant writing.
• Teaching Experience.
• Experience in coordinating programming for culturally-diverse populations.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

12-month calendar appointment.

Salary Information

Salary commensurate with experience.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Submit curriculum vitae, statement of teaching and advising philosophy, diversity statement (see below), contact information for three professional references and a cover letter describing qualifications for this position. We will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.  

As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. In addition to application materials above, candidates will need to submit a Statement of Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The Diversity Statement should identify past experiences and future goals. These contributions may result from lived experiences, scholarships, and/or mentoring, teaching, and outreach activities. (https://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion )

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.