The Director of the Center for Academic Resources and Support (C.A.R.S.) provides visionary leadership in designing, implementing, and assessing student success initiatives that support first-year students—“First-Year Lions”—and ensure a strong foundation for their academic journey at Florida Memorial University. C.A.R.S. equips students with resources, strategies, and behaviors for academic success, including overcoming challenges, engaging in effective self-advocacy, graduating on time, and leveraging networks of support across the University community.

The Director is charged with reimagining C.A.R.S. to become a dynamic, student-centered hub for academic support, advising, and retention. This individual must be innovative, tech-savvy, and deeply knowledgeable about appreciative advising, first-year student engagement, and retention practices, with a particular focus on supporting student-athletes and at-risk populations. The Director also provides direct oversight and professional development for Academic and Career Success Coaches, ensuring high-quality advising and career readiness support.

Essential Functions:

• Provide strategic leadership in the development, implementation, and assessment of C.A.R.S. programming to improve first-year retention, persistence, and graduation rates.
• Overhaul and redesign advising processes using the Appreciative Advising model to ensure holistic, student-centered support.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Academic and Career Success Coaches, fostering professional growth and consistency of service delivery.
• Collaborate with academic advisors, faculty, coaches, student affairs, and other stakeholders to build strong, campus-wide pathways of support for students.
• Lead initiatives and workshops to equip students with academic success strategies, time management, career readiness, financial literacy, and effective self-advocacy skills.
• Develop specialized support and engagement strategies for freshmen student-athletes and other unique student populations.
• Leverage data and technology systems (e.g., early alert, degree mapping, student success software) to monitor student progress and intervene proactively.
• Partner with institutional research, enrollment management, and academic affairs to track retention data, identify trends, and implement continuous improvement strategies.
• Serve as a visible campus leader in retention, providing innovative practices and solutions that speak directly to improving student engagement and success.
• Oversee C.A.R.S. communications, marketing, and outreach efforts to ensure high visibility and accessibility to students.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills along with strong computer and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders.
• Exceptional customer service and organizational skills.
• Ability to read, interpret, and utilize reports and data to inform decision-making.
• Ability to present effectively and speak confidently in public settings.
• Demonstrated ability to foster a growth mindset and support the holistic development of students.
• Effective analytical and decision-making skills.
• High attention to detail, adaptability to changing environments, and strong dependability.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to establish rapport and build relationships with students.
• An empathetic and compassionate approach to student support, with the ability to motivate and inspire.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritize effectively.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in student support services.
• Flexibility to work outside of normal business hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Moderate physical activity required: handling objects up to fifty (50) pounds or standing/walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Counseling, or related field (Doctorate preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in academic advising, student success, retention, or related areas.
• Demonstrated expertise in Appreciative Advising and student-centered academic support models.
• Proven record of designing and implementing successful retention, advising, and student engagement initiatives.
• Experience working with first-year students, including student-athletes, in a higher education setting.
• Strong leadership, management, and supervisory skills, including oversight of professional staff.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal abilities.
• Proficiency with student success and advising technologies, early alert systems, and data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to think strategically, innovate, and lead organizational change.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Criminal background check

Florida Memorial University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA), those functions of the job that are identified as essential are required to be performed with or without reasonable accommodations. Requests to facilitate the performance of essential functions will be considered.