Director of First Year Experience & Student Transitions

Texas Lutheran University; Seguin (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Lutheran University invites applications for the Director of First Year Experience & Student Transitions. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Students for Retention, this position provides strategic leadership for developing, implementing, and assessing comprehensive first-year and transition initiatives that promote student success, engagement, and retention.

The role leads orientation, mentoring programs, and campus partnerships to support diverse student populations with a focus on

Qualifications

• Experience in First Year Experience or student transitions.
• Strong leadership and time management skills.
• Ability to collaborate with faculty, staff, and campus partners to advance student success.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, implementation, and assessment of first-year initiatives.
• Oversee orientation and mentoring programs for new students.
• Coordinate campus-wide programs supporting diverse student populations.
• Prepare reports on student success and program outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Texas Lutheran University Division of Student Affairs invites applications for the Director of First Year Experience & Student Transitions. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Students for Retention, this position provides strategic leadership for the development, implementation, and assessment of comprehensive first-year and transition initiatives that promote student success, engagement, and retention.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in the implementation of strategic goals for the division that support TLU’s institutional strategic plan.
• Administer and supervise the First Year Experience & Student Transitions department and staff.
• Lead the development, implementation, and assessment of comprehensive first-year experience and student transition initiatives.
• Oversee New Student Orientation, the Peer Mentor Program, Parent and Family Programs, and academic progress initiatives for first-year students.
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, Advising, faculty, and campus partners to support student success, engagement, and retention.
• Coordinate campus-wide programming that promotes a successful transition for first-year, transfer, first-generation, multicultural, and other specialized student populations.
• Support coordinated care for students experiencing academic, personal, social, or transitional challenges through collaboration with campus resources.
• Develop proactive outreach, monitor & intervene in early alert systems, mentoring, and engagement programs that foster student belonging, persistence, and academic achievement.
• Manage departmental budgets, assessment plans, vendor partnerships, and staffing.
• Establish metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of orientation, transition, and first-year success initiatives.
• Prepare reports for senior leadership on student success, engagement, assessment, and outcomes.
• Utilize data, assessment, and evidence-based practices to guide continuous improvement and strategic planning.
• Maintain departmental communications, including websites, portal, and social media content
• Serve on divisional and university committees, task forces, and collaborative initiatives that advance student success and institutional priorities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements for Position:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Adult Education, Student Personnel, or a related field preferred.
• Two (2) to four (4) years or more of progressively responsible experience in First Year Experience, Student Transitions, Orientation, Student Success, Retention, or related areas within higher education.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive first-year experience, orientation, transition, and student success programs.
• Strong leadership, organizational, project management, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment and decision-making
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and campus partners to advance student success and retention initiatives.
• Ability to establish rapport, build relationships, and effectively support a diverse student population.
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated experience using assessment data and evaluation methods to inform program development, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and other higher education technology platforms.
• Ability to supervise, develop, and evaluate professional and student staff.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive student information.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary to support orientation programs, transition initiatives, and university events.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary and benefits are competitive, including:

Texas Lutheran University, an accredited university affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is located 35 miles from downtown San Antonio. For more information about TLU, consult our web site at www.tlu.edu.

Position will remain open until filled.

Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until an appointment is made.

Texas Lutheran University (TLU) is an official U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” selection among regional colleges in the West, ranking fourth on the list for “Best Value,” third for “Best Colleges for Veterans,” and eighth overall. This is the eleventh consecutive year TLU has been featured in the U.S. News and World Report rankings. Other notable recognitions include TLU’s acknowledgment as a “Best Southwest” school by The Princeton Review. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and is also subject to the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA).