Executive Director, Student Success & Equity

Columbus State University; Columbus (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Albany State University seeks an Executive Director for Student Success to provide strategic, data-driven leadership across retention, persistence, and degree completion efforts. The role oversees Academic Advising, manages budgets and cross-divisional partnerships, and drives high-impact programs like Living-Learning Communities and the Summer Bridge Program.

The candidate will supervise the Director of Academic Advising, develop dashboards, and advance equitable practices for a diverse student

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, including three (3) or more years in academic advising or student success.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience serving diverse student populations within higher education.
• Demonstrated supervisory and team-leadership experience.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement systems to collect, maintain, and analyze data.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with internal and external stakeholders to foster a spirit of engagement.
• Earned doctorate (Ed.D. or Ph.D.) in higher education, student affairs, counseling, or a related field.
• Experience leading summer bridge, first-year, or living-learning programs for at-risk or transitioning students.
• Proficiency with student success/CRM and early alert platforms (e.g., EAB Navigate, Starfish) and student information systems (e.g., Banner).
• Experience serving first-generation, Pell-eligible, and academically at-risk students, preferably at a minority-serving institution.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary, data-informed leadership for the University's integrated student success model, aligning departmental goals with retention targets.
• Develop and execute an annual strategic plan with measurable outcomes; establish KPIs and report progress.
• Champion equity-minded, culturally responsive practices that close achievement gaps for underserved students.
• Supervise the Director of Academic Advising, providing direction and accountability for an intrusive advising model.
• Ensure advising structures and workflows meet undergraduate needs, with attention to student-athletes and transfers.
• Oversee integration of advising with early-alert and case-management systems for coordinated interventions.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Data analysis

Equity-minded practices

Supervisory experience

Education

Master's degree

Doctorate (Ed.D./Ph.D.)

Tools

EAB Navigate

Starfish

Banner

Job description

Albany State University seeks an Executive Director for Student Success to provide strategic, data-driven leadership across retention, persistence, and degree completion efforts. The role oversees Academic Advising, manages budgets and cross-divisional partnerships, and drives high-impact programs like Living-Learning Communities and the Summer Bridge Program.

The candidate will supervise the Director of Academic Advising, develop dashboards, and advance equitable practices for a diverse student