Director First Year Experience Programs

Department

Compensation

General Description/Primary Purpose

The Director of First-Year Experience provides leadership for the design, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of the University's first-year experience programs. Reporting through the Office of Student Success, the Director advances a coordinated strategy that promotes student engagement, academic success, sense of belonging, and persistence through collaboration with faculty, staff, and university partners.

Job Functions

Leadership and Administration of First-Year Experience Programs

• Provide strategic leadership for the University's first-year experience initiatives, including Osprey Connections, Osprey First Summer Pathway, First-Year Faculty Mentoring, Peer Mentoring, and related programs.
• Develop and implement program goals, priorities, assessment measures, and operational plans aligned with institutional objectives.
• Oversee program planning, implementation, resource management, and continuous improvement.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen and integrate curricular and co-curricular elements of the first-year experience.

Faculty Engagement and Development

• Lead faculty recruitment, training, and engagement for first-year experience initiatives.
• In consultation with the Associate Provost, supervise and evaluate faculty teaching in first-year programs.
• Develop professional development opportunities focused on first-year teaching, mentoring, and student success.
• Promote effective use of student success technologies, academic alert systems, and support resources.
• Foster collaboration among faculty and staff engaged in first-year student success efforts.

Assessment, Collaboration, and Continuous Improvement

• Build and maintain partnerships with academic and administrative units that support first-year student success.
• Assess program effectiveness and student outcomes using evidence-based practices.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for university leadership.
• Coordinate initiatives that enhance student engagement, belonging, transition, and persistence.

Teaching Responsibilities

• Teach first-year experience or related courses, typically a maximum of one course each fall and spring semester.

Supervision

• Supervise assigned professional staff, graduate assistants, student employees, and peer mentors.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, academic affairs, student affairs, student success, or a related field.
• Experience leading student success initiatives and collaborating with faculty and campus partners.

Statement(s) of Understanding

This position requires a background check. In conjunction with the University's policy, this position may also require a credit check.

The holder of this position is designated as a “Responsible Employee” pursuant to their role under Title IX. Therefore, the incumbent must promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse by or against any student, employee, contractor, or visitor to the University’s Title IX Administrator or any divisional Title IX Coordinator

Equal Opportunity

The University of North Florida (UNF) is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact in our community. In building this environment, we strive to attract students, faculty and staff from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. The University of North Florida does not commit or permit discrimination or harassment on the basis of genetic information, race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, marital status, national origin, or veteran status in any educational, employment, social, recreational program or activity that it offers. In addition, UNF will not commit or permit retaliation against an individual who reports discrimination or harassment or an individual who cooperates in an investigation of an alleged violation of university regulation.

Carnegie

UNF is a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. This designation celebrates the University’s collaboration with community partners from the local to the global level. It reflects UNF’s mission to contribute to the public good and prepare educated, engaged citizens.