We're Hiring!

Title: Director of Access & Success

Position Number: 998863 

Unit/Department: Academic Excellence and Student Success

Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications of the selected candidate 

Department Summary:

The Office of Access & Success provides the tools and support Drake University students need to be the best they can be academically. This includes academic coaching, disability services, tutoring, and other forms of support. Learn more about Access & Success at https://www.drake.edu/access-success/.

Job Summary:

The Director of Access & Success provides strategic leadership for academic support, disability services, and student wellness initiatives that promote equity, persistence, and holistic success. The Director oversees programs including academic coaching, tutoring, and accommodations, while coordinating university-wide efforts to create a culture of belonging, balance, and proactive student support.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, psychology, rehabilitation, education, or a related field.

• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in student success, academic support, disability/access services, or related areas.

• Experience supervising professional staff and managing programs or services that directly support student learning and persistence.

• Knowledge of best practices in tutoring, academic coaching, and learning support for diverse learners.

• Understanding of data-informed decision-making and ability to interpret and apply data for program improvement.

• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage effectively across departments and functional areas.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in student support services.

• Organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple initiatives and competing priorities.

• Ability to use and support student success technology platforms (e.g., Starfish, Navigate, or similar case management tools).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctorate in higher education administration, leadership, or related field.

• Experience leading or developing an integrated student success center that combines tutoring, coaching, and disability/access services.

• Experience using predictive analytics or early alert systems to identify and support at-risk students.

• Experience designing or assessing holistic wellness initiatives in a university setting.

• Demonstrated experience working with disability law and compliance (e.g., ADA, Section 504) and implementing academic accommodations.

• Knowledge of universal design for learning (UDL), inclusive pedagogy, and strategies for accessible campus environments.

• Experience developing and delivering faculty and staff training on accessibility, inclusive teaching, or student support.

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives that enhance student retention, belonging, and academic achievement.

Job Duties:

• 40% - Student Success System and Data-Informed Practice • Manage and advance the university’s student success platform (Starfish) to enhance early alert, case management, and coordinated care efforts. • Collaborate with academic and administrative units to embed proactive student support processes across the institution. • Use data to evaluate outcomes related to persistence, completion, and course success; generate recommendations for continuous improvement. • Oversee development of training, communications, and business practices to optimize the system’s impact on student experience.
• 20% - Strategic Leadership and Supervision • Provide vision and leadership for the Office of Access & Success, including academic tutoring programs, academic coaching, and disability services. • Supervise Access & Success professional staff and promote ongoing professional development and high-quality service delivery. • Support supervision, training, and ongoing professional development of student staff. • Participate in the Academic Excellence & Student Success leadership team and other university committees to align unit initiatives with institutional student success goals. • Represent student wellness and success initiatives through cross-campus collaborations, including leadership of wellness-focused committees. • Manage budgets and resources for the Office of Access and Success and wellness-related initiatives.
• 20% - Student Support and Advocacy • Champion equitable access to learning by ensuring policies, processes, and practices meet the diverse needs of all students. • Collaborate with faculty and staff to identify and remove barriers to student success and ensure effective coordination of accommodation processes and promotion of inclusive teaching practices across departments. • Provide one-on-one student support and mentorship, offering guidance related to accommodations, academic challenges, and connecting to appropriate campus resources. • Develop and promote proactive support strategies related to academic or personal challenges, well-being, and self-advocacy through outreach, workshops, presentations, campus partnerships, and student resources (e.g., time management, study skills, test preparation, etc.). • Develop handouts, timelines, and tutorials to streamline complex processes for students and colleagues.
• 15% - Student Engagement and Wellbeing • Lead efforts grounded in NIH’s Six Dimensions of Wellness to guide programming and assess institutional impact. • Support the design and implementation of initiatives that foster community and promote balance (e.g., Second Saturday Social, Bulldog Balanced, Wellness Conference, Rest & Relax). • Partner with student organizations and campus departments to co-sponsor events that encourage connection, help-seeking, and holistic well-being. • Advocate for sustainable practices that promote well-being and resilience among student, faculty, and staff. - (Essential)
• 5% - Other duties as assigned.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

For consideration, you must apply online. Please include a resume and cover letter. 

Salary and Benefits:

At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our Drake Benefits Guide 2025. One of our popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. Tuition Benefits

Review of Applications Begins:

A review of applications will begin immediately.  This position will remain open until filled.