Assistant Director of College Readiness - University Academic Advising

TITLE

Assistant Director of College Readiness

JOB SUMMARY

The Assistant Director of College Readiness supports the university's commitment to student success by coordinating academic advising practices related to college-readiness requirements under the Texas Success Initiative (TSI). This position collaborates with advising leadership to implement strategies that support student completion of required developmental education coursework and appropriate placement in college readiness pathways. The Assistant Director coordinates advising workflows that support accurate placement and progression within developmental education and co-requisite pathways and works with academic departments, enrollment services, testing, and student success partners to promote consistent advising practices. The role monitors college-readiness status for undergraduate students, supports consistent interpretation of readiness criteria within advising operations, and collaborates with campus partners to promote alignment between course placement and developmental education pathways. This position analyzes readiness outcomes, identifies process gaps or potential compliance concerns affecting advising practices, and provides operational insights to advising leadership and campus partners to support student progression and retention initiatives. The Assistant Director assists with the preparation of readiness-related reports and data summaries for institutional stakeholders and supports institutional data requests as needed.

Work is performed under general supervision and performance is based upon completion of assignments and results obtained. The performance evaluation is conducted through the performance evaluation system and in accordance with the University Policies & Procedures.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Executive Director of University Academic Advising, University Academic Advising

Supervises: May supervise Academic Advisors and Student Assistants

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but not limited to the following:

• Interpret state readiness legislation and institutional placement policy and provide guidance to advising staff regarding appropriate application within advising practices.

• Coordinate advising workflows to support registration and completion of developmental education and co-requisite coursework for first-time-in-college (FTIC) and transfer students.

• Coordinate implementation of alternative readiness pathways (e.g., Pioneer Prep/EdReady) to support appropriate student placement in accordance with institutional and state guidelines.

• Evaluate student academic records, testing indicators, and other readiness measures to determine eligibility for readiness pathways and placement options.

• Monitor student completion of readiness interventions and facilitate progression into credit-bearing coursework.

• Identify and resolve placement or eligibility discrepancies that may affect student registration and progression.

• Maintain tracking systems and documentation practices supporting readiness determinations and advising processes.

• Monitor student progression toward readiness completion within established timelines and communicate concerns to advising leadership as appropriate.

• Identify gaps in systems, workflows, or communication affecting readiness processes and collaborate with appropriate units to address concerns.

• Maintain current knowledge of Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) rules and communicate relevant updates to advising leadership and campus partners.

• Collaborate with advising leadership to promote consistent advising practices related to readiness status and student progression.

• Provide guidance and training to advisors regarding readiness pathway criteria, placement considerations, and documentation interpretation.

• Develop and implement advising strategies that promote timely student progression and minimize excess credit accumulation.

• Prepare reports and summaries related to readiness outcomes, developmental education enrollment, and advising operations for internal stakeholders.

• Provide recommendations to the Executive Director regarding college-readiness completion trends and advising practices that support student progression.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Participate in institutional planning discussions related to developmental education and student success initiatives.

• Collaborate with testing services, enrollment management, and academic departments to support enrollment eligibility and advising coordination.

• Represent academic advising in university-wide discussions related to developmental education and college readiness.

• Develop and deliver training related to readiness regulations, advising processes, and best practices.

• Promote consistent implementation of readiness procedures across advising units.

• Participate in FTIC and Transfer Orientations.

• Advise students on college readiness requirements and developmental education pathways.

• Serve as a resource for complex readiness determinations within academic advising operations.

• Performs other duties as requested.

EDUCATION

Master's degree required in Educational Leadership, Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, or a related field.

EXPERIENCE

At least five (5) years of experience in academic advising, student success, teaching, or working with special populations students at a university level. Experience collaborating with university administration, academic component administrators, faculty, and staff. Experience working with advising systems, software, policies, and procedures is required. Demonstrated experience in Texas Success Initiative placement and developmental education requirements. Working knowledge of THECB rules related to college readiness and placement policy.

Supervision, training, and coaching staff, or leading committees and teams, is strongly preferred. Demonstrated ability to work in a positive manner to build partnerships and collaboration across campus, and experience managing multiple projects and time while under pressure to meet deadlines is also preferred. Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills. Experience supporting retention initiatives and early intervention strategies. Experience evaluating transfer readiness status across institutions.

REQUIREMENT

Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.

All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - The following are essential:

• Knowledge of advising platforms and enterprise systems, including student information systems and reporting tools.

• Knowledge of state readiness legislation and institutional policy interpretation.

• Knowledge of academic advising and student success initiatives.

• Knowledge of NACADA professional advising standards and practices.

• Knowledge and application of principles and ethics associated with developmental academic advising.

• Knowledge of university programs, policies, and practices.

• Skill in data analysis and reporting for student success initiatives.

• Ability to apply analytical, problem-solving, and systems-thinking skills.

• Ability to support and train advisors in a centralized advising environment.

• Skills in verbal, written, and interpersonal communication.

• Ability to use a personal computer and other office equipment, including related university software and email.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described in the Essential Duties and below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The employee may be required to travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment.

SAFETY

TWU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources and Risk Management within 24 hours of the incident.

Texas Woman's University, an AA/EEO employer, provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected category, class or characteristic.

All offers of employment will be contingent on the candidate's ability to provide documents which establish proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Positions at Texas Woman's University deemed security-sensitive require background checks and verification of all academic credentials.

If you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Under HB 558, enacted by the 76th Texas State Legislature, if you are currently of the age and gender requiring registration with Selective Service, but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for employment with an agency in any branch of Texas state government. For additional information regarding registration or status, you can contact the Selective Service System at 847-688-6888 or www.sss.gov.