Remote New 
Student Services Manager (Asst Director of First Year Success) (Academic Advisement)
 Maricopa Community College district | |
life insurance, paid time off, sick time, long term disability, tuition reimbursement, 403(b)
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 United States, Arizona, Mesa | |
 Nov 06, 2025 | |
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Student Services Manager (Asst Director of First Year Success) (Academic Advisement) Job ID: 321892 Location: Mesa Community College Full/Part Time: Full Time Regular/Temporary: Regular Hiring Salary Range $68,850.00 - $89,505.00/annually, DOE Grade 118 Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm; some evenings and weekends may be required Summer Hours: Monday - Thursday, 7am-6pm Work Calendar 12 Months Maricopa Summary 10 Colleges. Unlimited Opportunities. The Maricopa County Community College District is one of the largest community college systems in the nation. Home to 10 individually accredited community colleges and 31 satellite locations, we proudly serve students in every corner of the Valley. Each day, our dedicated faculty, staff, and administrators, live out our vision- creating excellence in education for a better world. We focus on people-not profits. With 100% acceptance, zero rejections, and affordable tuition, we provide the flexibility and support our students need to succeed in and beyond the classroom. Discover how we're changing college. We don't just support our community-we help build it. We are the largest provider of workforce development training in the state. The activities of our colleges and their students support one out of every 28 jobs in Maricopa County. Learn about our economic impact. We believe our employees are our most valuable asset. Our 10 colleges and District Office support nearly 10,000 jobs and careers throughout Greater Phoenix. Join us in making a real difference in the lives of over 140,000 college students each year. Campus Statement Mesa Community College (MCC), which is celebrating its 60th anniversary during 2025, is nationally recognized for its excellence in university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, and innovative education. Serving more than 25,500 students annually, MCC offers a range of degree and certificate programs across its two campuses and additional locations. MCC students contribute more than 8,500 hours of community service annually. MCC serves as a key resource for education, workforce development, and lifelong learning. The college enhances student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services. A Hispanic Serving Institution, nearly 50% of MCC students are first-generation college attendees, and it boasts the largest Indigenous student population among Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) colleges, supporting students from 22 Arizona tribes and additional out-of-state tribes. Our award-winning faculty are committed to helping students achieve their goals through high-quality education, training and undergraduate research opportunities. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, MCC is one of 10 MCCCD colleges. Learn more at mesacc.edu. Benefits Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is committed to providing a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that supports our employees' and their families' health and well-being. Therefore, the MCCCD benefits support every stage of life and are designed to meet the diverse needs of our community. Explore the wide range of benefits and perks available to eligible employees at MCCCD: Affordable and Comprehensive Benefits Package:
Employee Health & Wellness Programs:
Job Summary Assistant Director, First-Year Experience and Transition is responsible for planning, operations, and assessment of Mesa Community College's incoming student initiatives with particular attention to the unique needs of traditional and non-traditional populations. The Assistant Director position is also responsible for developing and implementing matriculation efforts that support students' preparedness for post-secondary success. As a key member of the Retention team, and the role engages a diverse student body in fostering a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment that promotes student learning, academic success, personal growth, and connection to campus life. The position is responsible for coordinating, overseeing, and assessing a comprehensive first-year experience for students. Additional responsibilities include providing intensive, 1:1 success coaching to a caseload of at-risk first-year students. This retention-focused position will provide the support, knowledge, and skills necessary to facilitate student academic success, foster a greater sense of community, and increase student persistence and retention. The Assistant Director, First-Year Experience and Transition will serve as a member of an administrative team, with additional duties as assigned. Reporting to the Director, Academic Advising, the Assistant Director, First-Year Experience and Transition is responsible for driving initiatives to support success of first-year student programming, including New Student Orientation. The position oversees the design, implementation, and management of programs supporting the transition, engagement, and success of first-year students. The role has a substantial impact on the success of college-wide first-year initiatives and provides oversight and management of signature first-year programs and leading a team of retention specialist positions. Additionally, the role assists and contributes to the design, development, and evaluation of comprehensive services and programs to support undecided students and those considering a change in their major, ensuring seamless transitions and academic success. Performs other duties as assigned. The Assistant Director of Academic Advising & Retention reports to the Director of Academic Advising and is responsible for successfully implementing, managing, and assessing first-year advising. The Assistant Director position serves as a central resource and contact for first-year student advisors. In coordination with Academic Advising leadership, the Assistant Director ensures all retention specialists are trained in academics and equipped to provide undergraduate students with the highest quality advisement possible. This position possesses up-to-date information on MCC academic colleges, implements orientation sessions, facilitates pathways towards degree completion in coordination with colleges, and recommends standardized advisement practices. The Assistant Director will also serve on assigned committees and/or work groups to ensure they are knowledgeable about activities and information that impact the advising unit. Additional Information COMPETENCIES/KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Knowledge of: * Student Development, academic student advising and counseling, first-year theories, principles, policies, and best practices. * Planning, program development, evaluation, and budgeting, preferably in a community college setting. * Educational services related to enrollment management, student retention and student success, including knowledge of case management approaches to advising and engaging students. * Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Americans with Disabilities Act, and other laws relative to higher education, specifically those within the portfolio. * Student learning strategies, learning outcomes and operational assessment processes and procedures. * Effective personnel supervision practices. * Administrative and departmental policies, procedures, and practices. * Principles of shared governance and a demonstrated willingness to listen for understanding and communicate with tact and sensitivity with diverse constituencies. * Student development programs and best practices for student services. * Commitment to the comprehensive mission and community college philosophy and organization. * Effective mechanisms for issue resolution and a commitment to active listening. * PeopleSoft and other job-related software systems. Relevant technology and student information systems and their uses to support student success through comprehensive academic advising. Skills in: * Recruiting, orientation, and in person presentations to high school students and parents and/or non-traditional student populations. * Building trusting, long-term relationships and networks with stakeholders at all levels including district office, high-school partners, communities, students, etc. * Strategic planning, research, formulating standard operating procedures, student support program development/management, learning outcome assessments, and data analysis related specifically to student access, intervention, and persistence that promote student success across the student life-cycle. * Strong supervisory skills and project management. Seasoned exemplary leadership, organizational, problem-solving, communication, and critical-thinking skills. o Strong and operative leadership skills to effectively navigate and resolve complex, new, and/or stressful situations. o Self-directed, with the capacity to design own workflow. * Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and active listening skills. * Exceptional project management skills to include the ability to plan ahead, prioritize, organize and lead multiple, concurrent initiatives, and meet deadlines for successful projection completion. * Interpersonal, written, and group presentation skills. * Assisting students in developing effective short- and long-term problem-solving skills. * Coordinating programs, managing logistics, or supporting student engagement initiatives. * Conducting educational programs that address personal, academic, and professional success. * Analyzing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data to identify, collect, compile, and utilize relevant enrollment and student performance metrics, and present these data in written and verbal form. * Written and verbal communication skills, as well as presenting viewpoints in a clear and compelling manner. * Effective collaboration and communication with a wide variety of individuals, including administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumnae, parents, and external constituents. * Demonstrating tact, a positive attitude, courtesy and discretion in dealing with trustees, faculty, staff, students, high-level institutional officials and the public. * Networking, negotiation, and communication abilities to foster meaningful connections. * Proactive and solution-oriented, with the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team. * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess program effectiveness and inform strategic decisions. * Multi-tasking work in a fast-paced constantly changing environment, and implement creative (outside of the box) enrollment and student success strategies. * Technology to support student tracking and success initiatives. * Navigating online student engagement platforms, student information systems, Google, Microsoft Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc. Ability to: * Conduct multiple projects concurrently, both independently and as a member of a collaborative team, with the ability to assess current operations in an effort to innovatively improve the future goals of the college. * Maintain a high degree of visibility and availability to students, faculty, and staff. * Maintain an environment that fosters excellence in customer service. * Handle all situations with tact and diplomacy. * Learn and maintain current knowledge of complex program requirements, policies, and procedures. * Work with students in 1:1 or group advising settings. * Interpret data and write/create reports; strong analytical skills including data gathering, analysis, assessment and evaluation, and evidence-based planning. * Interpret college policies and procedures; resolve issues, resulting in mutual respect and tolerance of varying points of view * Provide effective leadership in management and planning. * Plan, organize, train, evaluate, develop, and oversee the work of others and foster a culture of innovation and create a supportive environment for staff and students. * Analyze and interpret enrollment data and student performance metrics. * Think critically and proactively problem-solve. * Take initiative, understand, create, interpret, and apply policy and procedures established within the college and Division of Student Affairs. * Provide intentional and ethical coaching to students and direct reports. * Research, analyze, develop, and recommend appropriate processes and policies that conform with college policies and commonly accepted best practices. * Engage, develop, and maintain collaborative relationships with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and other diverse groups to ensure sustained collaboration and growth. * Interpret policies and apply knowledge of precedents to fit unique situations. * Consistently exercise discretion and sound ethical judgment, particularly when dealing with confidential matters. * Exercise sound independent judgment in complex, new, and/or stressful situations. * Demonstrate self-direction and motivation. * Manage operations and multiple tasks simultaneously in an extremely busy environment and fast-paced environment. * Manage multiple, concurrent projects, prioritize, adhere to and meet set deadlines. * Prepare and present reports effectively, both orally and in writing. * Work as a team member in a highly complex educational organizational setting. * Work with staff from college-wide offices to plan and implement advising, retention, and student success programming and events. * Work as a team player, appropriately exhibiting a positive attitude, a sense of humor, and the ability to tolerate and flourish in an environment characterized by multiple complex factors, competing priorities, ambiguous situations, and resource challenges. * Maintain and promote a positive attitude in a demanding work environment. Essential Functions 45% Leadership * Participate in developing departmental strategic plans based on department goals. * Develop, implement, assess, and manage student engagement and transition programs, policies, and procedures for MCC students first-year student success initiatives. * Manage activities related to the first-year academic advising program, including determining and overseeing advisor/advisee caseloads, ratios, and student assignments/re-assignments in PeopleSoft. * Work closely with the Dean and Director to develop impactful resources to support academic, social, and professional development of first-year students. * Create, deliver, and evaluate quality first-year programming activities for students in both the seated and online modalities. * Develop and lead retention-based outreach programs to currently enrolled students in coordination with division leadership. * Compile and present data informed proposals and recommendations regarding immediate and long-range planning for advising and retention efforts. * Evaluate effectiveness and efficiency of advisement delivered by first-year undergraduate advisors to students. Conduct data analysis projects; implement assessment initiatives designed to enrich advising and case management. * Work across divisions to engage key constituents to design and deliver programmatic content in support of student success, retention, and meaningful faculty/student engagement. * Create effective ongoing planning and relational partnerships to support first-year student success initiatives with academic units within the college. * Partner with internal and external stakeholders to deliver value-added programs and services to support the delivery of exceptional experiences to first-year students. * Collaborate with faculty regarding the First-Year Experience (FYE) courses to ensure relevant learning objectives and outcomes are as expected. * Collaborate with faculty to address first-year experience courses, orientation, summer bridge programming, and similar initiatives. * Demonstrate assessment technique and continuous improvement efforts through the development and submission of an annual assessment plan and report for the Office of First Year Experience in accordance with the Institutional Effectiveness Policy. * Interview, hire, train, and supervise retention specialist positions. Develop and implement onboard training, cross-training, professional development opportunities, and continuous feedback to advisors through the evaluation process. * Ability to act in the absence of the Director, Academic Advising and assist with projects and program quality improvements. 45% Program/Operation Implementation * Provide intensive, structured, 1:1 success coaching to a caseload of at-risk first-year students and submitting accurately and timely documentation related to caseload management * Facilitate the integration of first year students to the college community by organizing/coordinating events designed to create a foundation for developing community with other students, including but not limited to, convocation, first year reading, activity hours, and community service. * Implement first year experience programming, including first year seminars inclusive of co-curricular events and college success efforts. * Manage a caseload of students and guide MCC students on academic, transfer, career/workforce, and student development issues, needs, or experiences through ongoing assessment of individualized resources and access-based needs to support the achievement of the students' goals including, but not limited to, executing skill building, ensuring proper program placement, successful enrollment, course completion, retention, graduation, transfer and/or job placement, and triaging student crises. * Apply advanced student development and academic advising theories, knowledge, and experience to support community college students in identifying, defining, and obtaining educational goals. * Engage and build relationships with students through scheduled advising appointments, drop-in advising hours, email communications, workshops, and presentations to maximize their experience at MCC. * Empower students through holistic, high-touch, collaborative advising to achieve their own definition of academic and personal success. * Advise students on a wide range of course possibilities and ways to complete complicated degree requirements. * Educate students on the full range of academic and nonacademic opportunities, such as internships, undergraduate research, scholarships, and extracurricular activities. * Collaborate with students to identify barriers contributing to academic decline and/or disengagement, as well as personal strengths and community resources to overcome those obstacles. * Recognize and recommend solutions for removal of barriers. * Create and implement enrollment, matriculation, and transition plans specific to target populations. * Promote scholarship programs. 5% Compliance * Monitor compliance with all unit, department, college, and government standards, policies, and procedures. * Ensure compliance and follow, understand, and adhere to federal, state, District Office, and institutional regulations/laws/policies. * Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by accreditation agencies, school policies, and administrative regulations. * Utilize relevant, appropriate, and approved systems to communicate and monitor student interaction and progress. * Monitor the compliance and reporting standards and remain abreast of district, state, and federal regulations. Maintain student confidentiality, including accurate and confidential records. * Manage complex and sensitive issues with compassion and confidentiality. * Contribute toward creating a positive and respectful workplace. Use access to sensitive and/or not yet public college-related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of the position and exercise care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others. * Prepare accurate reports and documentation as required and requested. Track and monitor federal grants; prepare and monitor department budgets and other related budgets and operations. * Ensure students equal access to MCC's curricular and co-curricular activities. Support students and counsel them to better understand their MCC experience. 5% Other * Serve on various executive boards, college and district committees (including locally, regionally, and nationally) as designated and participate in meetings and conferences. * Responsible for other reasonable related duties as assigned commensurate to the grade level of the position. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited institution in education, sociology, business administration or related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible student services or related experience that includes such things as administration of policies and procedures, program oversight and two years of supervisory experience. OR An equivalent combination of the conferred degree and directly related full-time work experience as described above sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation, may be considered Desired Qualifications A Master's degree in higher education administration, counseling, student personnel, or college student affairs leadership or related field from a regionally accredited college or university B Advanced knowledge of retention, persistence, and student success with a minimum of four (4) years' work experience of demonstrated success designing or implementing retention programs and practices, preferably among first-year students C Minimum of 5 years' experience in academic advising, student support services, case management or related areas in higher education work experience D Demonstrated experience developing tracking systems and interpreting enrollment data and student performance metrics, that included providing periodic analysis of program impact on retention and student E At least two (2) years' supervision experience F Experience in enrollment management, including forecasting student demand G Experience in developing, interpreting, and applying student development theories and data analysis to inform and enhance student success initiatives, supported by quantitative or qualitative data H Experience with student information systems; knowledge of and experience with database and CRM systems/optimization. Experience with MS Office Suite, Google Applications, Zoom, etc. Special Working Conditions Work schedule varies during the year: August through mid-May: Monday - Friday, 8 hour days; mid-May through the end of July: Monday - Thursday, 10 hour days May require working evening and weekend hours (example: Saturday coverage during peak weeks) This position is fully on-site, with no remote options Required to sit for a prolonged period of time; viewing a computer monitor May be required to travel or be assigned to another MCCD location Travel to campus during interview/selection process will be at candidate's own expense MCC does not sponsor individuals for work visas How to Apply Applicants are required to submit a cover letter and resume showing how the applicant meets the minimum and desired qualifications. All minimum requirements must be met at the time of the application. Additional materials will not be accepted after the job posting has closed. Missing materials or incomplete employment history will not be considered. Please ensure your materials clearly provide the following information.
Applicants who currently work for any of the MCCCD campuses/locations should utilize their HCM Employee Self Service page to apply for jobs by logging in to HCM and clicking on NavBar > Navigator > Self Service > Recruiting > Careers. Click on link for instructions on how to apply. Applicants who are not currently working for any of the MCCCD locations should apply at https://www.maricopa.edu/about/careers. If you encounter a technical issue in the upload of documents or the submission of your application, please contact MCC Human Resources at strategicstaffing@mesacc.edu prior to the application deadline. We are accessible on business days from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Arizona time. Posting Close Date Apply on or before 11/18/2025 to be considered. EEO, Title IX, & Clery Act Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) will not discriminate, nor tolerate discrimination in employment or education, against any applicant, employee, or student because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status (including document abuse), age, disability, veteran status or genetic information. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, states: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." The policy of the MCCCD is to provide an educational, employment, and business environment free of gender discrimination. Incidents of misconduct should be reported to the college Title IX Coordinator, as outlined in policy, contact information is available at this link Title IX Coordinators. The Clery Act is a Federal law requiring United States Colleges and Universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Crime reporting data for each of the Maricopa Community Colleges, as required under the Clery Act, is available at this link Clery Act. To apply, visit https://jobs.maricopa.edu/psp/MCPAHPRD/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1000&JobOpeningId=321892&PostingSeq=1 jeid-a0c8a00f49e1bf488efd53a0ee70270d | |