What are the responsibilities and job description for the ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FIRST-YEAR SUCCESS, Office of the Provost, First Year Success position at Boston University?
Overview
Boston University (BU) is committed to providing a vibrant, residential education for our 17,000 undergraduate students. In our undergraduate Schools & Colleges, students gain depth of knowledge in their chosen major. Through the BU Hub, our university-wide general education curriculum, students follow their interests as they gain breadth of knowledge and essential skills. Outside the classroom, our students engage in cutting-edge research, artistic production, innovation and entrepreneurship, experiential learning, and global exploration.
To ensure that undergraduates are well prepared to make the most of the vast array of opportunities BU offers, the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Affairs has launched the First-Year Success Office. The goal of this initiative is to support the integration of our newest students into our academic community and to provide them with a solid foundation for success. Seven Assistant Directors of First-Year Success (ADs) collaborate with faculty and staff across campus to support our first-year students, connect them with opportunities, resources, and people, and engage them in the intellectual life of the community.
Responsibilities
The Assistant Directors (ADs) are responsible for supporting students academic and personal success during their first year at BU. Each AD is affiliated with a School/College and will be assigned to a cohort of first-year students within that unit. In addition to augmenting advising offered by the School/College, the AD will collaborate with faculty and central offices to develop and run first-year programming. Reporting to the Director for Undergraduate Advising and Student Support in the Provosts Office, ADs support efforts such as new student orientation and take on other duties as assigned.
Holistic Advising: Supplement the work of academic advisors in the School/College by meeting and corresponding with first-year students regarding the transition to college, personal interests and goals, academic exploration, and participation in high-impact educational experiences (e.g., first-year seminars, research with faculty, experiential learning, study abroad, living-learning communities, and internships). Provide specialized advising on the BU Hub, as needed.
Collaborating and Coordinating: Collaborate and coordinate with School/College advisors and staff in central units (e.g., Newbury Center, Athletics, College Access and Student Success, Educational Resource Center, Dean of Students Office, Student Wellbeing) to create a seamless web of support for first-year students. Connect students as needed with campus resources that support student academic and personal wellbeing. Coordinate support for students experiencing academic difficulties.
Programming: Create and implement inclusive programming that fosters engagement with the intellectual life of the BU community. Programming should facilitate faculty-student interaction outside the classroom and should promote participation in high-impact experiences. Promote academic community building to foster a greater sense of belonging and inclusion. Lead first-year success seminars and academic recovery programming.
