POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Associate Director, Access and Success Programs
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1135
GRADE 45
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Director, Access and Success Programs
GENERAL FUNCTION
The primary duty of the Associate Director of Access and Success Programs is to oversee the development and implementation of Bears Lead, a comprehensive college transition program for Missouri State students who are Access Scholarship recipients or first-generation and/or Pell-eligible, collaborating internally, interdepartmentally, and externally to connect students with relevant information and resources and help them develop the skills necessary for their success.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Master's degree is required. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements.
Experience: At least three years of experience with academic advising, access programs, or college or university employment experience directly related to the job responsibilities of this position are required; an equivalency of two years of graduate assistantships may be considered for substitution of one year of experience. Student services or teaching experience is preferred. Access programs experience or other student support services serving First-Generation or Pell Eligible student populations is preferred.
Skills: Excellent presentation and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, organizational, and management skills are required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with or students from a first-generation and Pell-eligible backgrounds is required. A working knowledge of various computer applications is required; experience with database applications is preferred.
Another: A valid driver’s license is required. The scope of the position occasionally requires work in the evenings and on weekends.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Oversees the strategic planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Bears Lead program by setting goals, policies, and procedures, and evaluating program effectiveness.2. Develops and leads efficient programming areas by creating high-quality, comprehensive college transition programming that helps first-time-new-in-college students enrolled in Bears Lead successfully transition to college from high school throughout their first two years on campus.
3. Provides success coaching and academic advising to Access & Success students by applying knowledge of Missouri State University policies, supporting academic planning and major selection, guiding decision-making, and connecting students with campus resources such as financial aid, testing, career services, and student employment.
4. Fosters student retention and degree completion by maintaining a caseload of Access & Success students and monitoring students' progress with check-ins, scheduled meetings, or proactive outreach and communication, responding to students’ questions, concerns, and needs.
5. Ensures the effectiveness of the advising process by maintaining both paper and electronic database advisee files for all assigned advisees, regularly updating advisee academic reports and counseling notes, and validating the information contained in the advisee files with the student database.
6. Researches transition programming trends and best practices to ensure staff training, program alignment with departmental and university missions, and adherence to inclusive, industry-standard outcomes.
7. Manages financial resources within budget limits in accordance with University guidelines under the guidance and supervision of the Director of Access and Success by planning, developing, and overseeing designated budgets.
8. Provides information needed for decision making by keeping current and accessible enrollment records, managing, and maintaining databases, and preparing and submitting reports on the student population as requested by the Director of Access and Success Programs
9. Assures the involvement of a broad campus and community base and develop the support of related organizations by developing co-sponsored or complementary programs and forming strong networking ties with campus and community organizations, departments, and programming committees.
10. Facilitates awareness of Access & Success programs by marketing the department and promoting program services through the website, email account, social media, promotional materials such as flyers, brochures, swag items, etc., and informational presentations to faculty, staff, prospective students from the MSU population.
11. Coordinates the recruitment, admissions, and coaching assignments of incoming, first-year college students to the Bears Lead program as well as interviews and selection process for Bear Lead student ambassadors
12. Maintains the Access & Success manual and co-authors the annual report by compiling program data, reflections, and budgets to document policies, procedures, and yearly outcomes.
13. Participates as a member of the University community by serving on various committees and task forces as assigned.
14. Ensures the accuracy, completeness, and confidentiality of student files by coordinating the collection, preparation, and maintenance of academic and financial data in collaboration with the Director of Access and Success Programs.
15. Relieves the Director of Access and Success Programs of routine operational details affecting the department by assuming responsibility for secretarial, clerical, and office management functions and making administrative decisions within established guidelines and policy.16. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the supervisor.
17. Contributes to the overall success of the program and the University by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Associate Director of Access and Success Programs supervises the two Bears Lead Program Coordinators, two graduate assistants, and/or student employees.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JULY 2025
