Director of First-Year Student Success & Retention

The Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking an Associate Dean, Director of First Year Student Success to lead strategic initiatives that shape the first-year experience, boost retention, and coordinate academic coaching and career guidance. The role requires strong leadership, data analytics, and collaboration with multiple campus partners.

You will supervise staff, manage program budgets, and ensure alignment with academic policies and student support systems, with a focus on inclusive student

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• 7–10 years of experience in student success, advising, or student affairs in higher education.
• Experience supervising staff and managing programs; ability to lead complex initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of student development theory, retention strategies, and best practices in first‑year student success.
• Ability to analyze data to drive decision‑making and program improvements.

Responsibilities

• Leads the vision, strategy, and execution of first-year student success initiatives including advising and transition programming.
• Oversees first-year advising and coaching models and required pre-registration appointments.
• Drives efforts to improve first-year retention, persistence, and course enrollment outcomes.
• Partners with senior leaders to align programs with academic policies and student success systems.
• Supervises staff performance and development within the program areas.
• Provides leadership for academic support, recovery initiatives, and targeted interventions.
• Oversees First Generation and Chicago Fellows programs and related budgets.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Collaboration

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking an Associate Dean, Director of First Year Student Success to lead strategic initiatives that shape the first-year experience, boost retention, and coordinate academic coaching and career guidance. The role requires strong leadership, data analytics, and collaboration with multiple campus partners.

You will supervise staff, manage program budgets, and ensure alignment with academic policies and student support systems, with a focus on inclusive student