Assistant Director, Student Support

Columbia University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 79,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies seeks an Assistant Director of Student Support to advance student success and wellbeing. Reporting to the Director of Student Support, the role oversees Disability Services accommodations, provides direct student support, and aligns services with retention and accessibility goals.

Responsibilities include coordinating accommodations, managing graduate student support cases, developing accessibility programs, and contributing to SPS CARE Team

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent related experience required.
• 3 years related experience required.
• Preferred qualifications include 3-5 years in case management and accommodation support.
• Working knowledge of disability-related laws and regulations (ADA, FERPA) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate disability accommodations for SPS students with the Disability Services office and inform faculty of approved accommodations.
• Coordinate exam accommodations, proctor requests, and maintain related records.
• Provide case management and direct student support for graduate students navigating accommodations and wellbeing concerns.
• Develop procedures and training related to accessibility and expand access to support services.
• Supervise office interns and support their training and development; participate in SPS events and initiatives.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Job Type

Officer of Administration

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Hours Per Week

35

Grade

12

Salary Range

$79,000 - $89,000. The salary of the finalist selected will be set based on departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. This hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Student Support, the Assistant Director advances student success and wellbeing at the School of Professional Studies (SPS). The role oversees Disability Services accommodations, provides direct student support, identifies barriers to success, connects students with resources, and monitors progress toward resolution. The Assistant Director also supports the development of programs addressing interpersonal conflict and student re-enrollment, aligning services with institutional priorities around retention, accessibility, and student success.

Responsibilities

Disability Services & Accommodations

• Serve as primary liaison to Disability Services, coordinating and implementing disability accommodations for SPS students in compliance with institutional policies and federal accessibility guidelines
• Ensure faculty are informed of approved accommodations and supported in implementing them
• Coordinate exam accommodations, including distribution/return of exam materials, room reservations, and proctor requests; serve as back-up Examinations Proctor
• Develop procedures, training, and communication standards related to accessibility
• Escalate sensitive or complex accommodation matters to the Director of Student Support

Case Management & Student Support

• Provide case management and direct support to graduate students navigating accommodation processes and well-being concerns (personal, financial, medical, mental health, academic)
• Serve as a resource for students on accommodation implementation, support services, and self-advocacy
• Maintain accurate, FERPA-compliant documentation related to student support and student-of-concern cases
• Identify gaps in student resources and expand access to financial and basic needs support
• Aggregate programmatic data and assess outcomes to measure effectiveness

Programming & Initiatives

• Plan and execute co-curricular support programs, including skills workshops for over 1,200 students annually
• Contribute to school-wide events including New Student Orientation, Admitted Student Events, and Graduation/Commencement
• Serve on the SPS International Student Working group to develop support programming for international students

SPS CARE Team

Serves on the CARE Team on-call rotation, triaging student concerns, determining appropriate referrals, coordinating follow-up with the Wellbeing team and University partners, documenting actions taken, and escalating urgent or high-risk matters.

Supervision and Other

• Supervise office interns and support their training and development
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent related experience required
• 3 years related experience

Preferred Qualifications

• 3-5 years related experience in case management and accommodation support
• Professional experience in disability services, student affairs, academic support, wellness, or a related field, preferably in higher education
• Working knowledge of disability-related laws and regulations, including ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, FERPA, and related higher education accessibility practices
• Experience in a supervisory role including training and development of staff strongly preferred
• Master's degree from an accredited institution in social work, counseling, higher education and student affairs, or related field preferred

Other Requirements

• Must be detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to make decisions independently while managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills required
• Ability to collaborate and work well under pressure with short deadlines