Associate Director, Engineering Student Success- Indianapolis

Purdue University; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Purdue University in Indianapolis seeks an Associate Director of Engineering Student Success to lead on-site initiatives that improve academic achievement, retention, progression, and graduation rates. You will develop, implement, assess, and continuously improve tutoring, mentoring, and student engagement programs while partnering with campus units and College leadership.

You will oversee staff, coordinate with faculty, and drive evidence-based improvements using institutional data to shape

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
• Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in academic support, STEM student‑success programming, program development, strategic planning, assessment, and execution.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership and Campus Representation: develop Indianapolis strategy for Engineering Student Success and advise leadership on trends and priorities.
• Engineering Student Success Infrastructure: design, implement, oversee, and scale a comprehensive academic success portfolio for Indianapolis engineering students.
• Mentoring, Transition, and Coordinated Student Support: develop a mentoring and transition strategy focused on first‑generation students and under-resourced schools.
• Indianapolis Campus Partnerships and Program Integration: serve as the primary campus representative and align campus resources with Indianapolis student needs.
• Assessment, Data, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement: develop assessment plans, analyze data, and prepare reports and dashboards for leadership.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Communication

Program development

Assessment

Data-informed decision-making

Problem solving

Organization

Time management

Professional judgment

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Job Summary

The Associate Director of Engineering Student Success, Indianapolis, serves as the College of Engineering’s senior on‑site leader for engineering student success at Purdue University in Indianapolis. Operating with limited day‑to‑day oversight, the Associate Director leads the development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of academic support, mentoring, transition, and student engagement initiatives to improve academic achievement, retention, progression, and four‑year graduation rates. The position establishes Indianapolis program priorities, analyzes student needs and outcomes, leads campus partnerships, and provides reports and evidence‑based recommendations to Engineering Student Success and College of Engineering leadership.

This position offers a chance to make a meaningful impact at a prestigious institution known for innovation and research excellence. Join our community of lifelong learners and contribute your skills to this critical program. At Purdue, you'll find unrivaled pride and unlimited potential as we persistently pursue the next giant leap together. Take the next step in your career journey -

What You’ll Be Doing:

Strategic Leadership and Campus Representation:

Develop, lead, and continuously refine the Indianapolis implementation strategy for Engineering Student Success within the College-wide Engineering Student Success framework and priorities for academic achievement, retention, progression, and four‑year graduation. Establish annual Indianapolis operating priorities and independently identify emerging student needs, programmatic gaps, and opportunities requiring coordinated action across Indianapolis and College partners. Advise the Director and College leadership regarding campus trends, risks, priorities, and recommended actions.

Engineering Student Success Infrastructure:

Lead the strategic design, implementation, oversight, and scaling of a comprehensive academic success portfolio for engineering students in Indianapolis. Use institutional data, course performance trends, student feedback, and resource analysis to determine priorities for tutoring, exam preparation, academic skill development, early intervention, academic recovery, and faculty‑aligned support. Determine which established Engineering Success Center practices should be adapted for Indianapolis and where campus‑specific approaches are required. Establish program standards, operating procedures, student staffing approaches, faculty partnerships, and performance expectations. Oversee undergraduate staff supporting academic success initiatives, including selection, assignment, coaching, and performance evaluation, and ensure their work aligns with program goals and standards.

Mentoring, Transition, and Coordinated Student Support:

Develop, launch, and lead a comprehensive mentoring, transition, and student engagement strategy for Indianapolis engineering students, with particular attention to first‑generation students with financial need, and students entering from under‑resourced schools. Establish the mentoring model, program standards, training requirements, staffing structure, participation goals, and evaluation measures. Use participation data and student feedback to refine programming and address barriers to engagement and persistence.

Indianapolis Campus Partnerships and Program Integration:

Serve as the primary Engineering Student Success representative on the Indianapolis campus and lead the development of coordinated working relationships with faculty, academic units, advising, Student Life, CARES, and other university partners supporting engineering students. Identify opportunities to align existing campus resources with the needs of Indianapolis engineering students, address service gaps, and establish clear referral and collaboration practices. Elevate Indianapolis needs and priorities within College‑wide Engineering Student Success planning and ensure that College‑wide initiatives are effectively adapted to the Indianapolis campus context.

Assessment, Data, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement:

Develop and maintain a comprehensive assessment plan for Engineering Success Center services and other Engineering Student Success initiatives in Indianapolis. Establish, track, and analyze measures including student participation; utilization by course, service, and location; repeat engagement; student satisfaction and confidence; tutor performance; academic performance; retention, progression, and other relevant Engineering Student Success indicators. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends, evaluate program effectiveness, and inform decisions regarding program design, staffing, resource allocation, and scaling. Prepare regular reports, dashboards, and evidence‑based recommendations for Engineering Student Success and College of Engineering leadership. Use findings to guide continuous improvement and ensure alignment with College‑wide Engineering Student Success goals and priorities.

About Us:

The College of Engineering at Purdue University is among the best and largest Engineering schools in the world. With nearly 16,000 engineering students and more than 500 tenure track faculty in the college, this position has ample opportunity to have an impact at one of the world’s most influential universities.

For more information about our department, please visit:

• College of Engineering, Purdue University https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr
• External Recognitions Program https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/People/Awards
• College of Engineering's Social Media https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/AboutUs/social

What We’re Looking For:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, student services, engineering, science, or a related field
• Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in academic support, STEM student‑success programming, program development, strategic planning, assessment, and execution
• Master’s degree preferred

Skills needed:

• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with students, alumni, administrators, faculty, staff, and campus partners.
• Required skills include strategic planning, program development and management, assessment, data‑informed decision‑making, problem‑solving, organization, time management, and professional judgment.
• Must be able to work independently, exercise initiative, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively across organizational units.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and exercise sound judgment in complex or sensitive situations involving students, faculty, staff, and families.
• Must have demonstrated ability to use institutional and national engineering education data, benchmarks, and evidence‑based practices to evaluate program effectiveness and advance student‑success outcomes.
• Knowledge of engineering curricula, student‑success practices, and the engineering profession is preferred.
• LIGHT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: Lift and carry 10 to 25 lbs. frequently, and up to 40 lbs. occasionally.

Who We Are:

Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

Additional Information:

• Purdue’s benefits summary https://www.purdue.edu/hr/Benefits/
• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions immediately

Career Stream

Compensation Information:
Professional 4
Pay Band S075
Job Code#20002088
Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php

EOE

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university