Columbia College Chicago
Director Student Success Center
Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Columbia College Chicago is an acclaimed undergraduate and graduate institution that provides a comprehensive education in the arts, communications, and public relations. We constantly aim to reach our full potential as an educational innovator, incubator of new creative practice and generator of real‑world success for young creatives.
Under the direction of the Associate Vice President for Student Success, the Director of the Student Success Center provides strategic leadership for a centralized, student‑focused hub that supports persistence, retention, and degree completion. The Student Success Center will house Persistence Initiatives, Academic Advising, Card Services, and Columbia Central, as well as flexible “pop‑up” services and activities designed to holistically support student success.
The Director will manage a team of professional staff dedicated to proactive, integrated student support, drawing upon human‑centered design principles to strengthen the overall student experience. The Director will play a key role in fostering collaboration across Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, and Student Services to ensure that all students receive coordinated, accurate, and timely support.
Duties & Responsibilities
Direct and oversee student-facing services across the Student Success Center, specifically Student Success Specialist/Columbia Central, Card Services, and related “pop‑up” initiatives. Ensure seamless, proactive, and holistic service to students in matters related to financial aid, billing, registration, academic advising, veteran benefits, card services, and academic/financial appeals.
Collaborate with Enrollment Management, Registrar, Academic Affairs, and Student Success leadership to align services with institutional policies, federal/state regulations, and student success best practices.
Develop and manage strategic student outreach campaigns that identify and address enrollment and retention barriers; create scripts and communication flows to ensure consistent messaging.
Assign caseloads of students to counselors and monitor outreach effectiveness.
Prepare and deliver regular reports on retention, and student satisfaction metrics to the Associate Vice President for Student Success.
Oversee exception processes such as academic standing appeals, financial petitions, and professional judgment cases.
Lead the implementation of flexible “pop‑up” services to address emerging student needs throughout the academic year.
Provide ongoing training, professional development, and performance management for staff to ensure service excellence.
Maintain updated online resources, including the Student Success Center website and student portal content.
Manage vendor relationships related to student support services.
Lead, implement, and deliver mid‑to complex projects as assigned. This includes conducting a needs assessment, developing a timeline, identifying resources, and/or developing a communication plan with stakeholders.
Participate in professional development, project teams, and institutional committees.
Perform other related duties and/or responsibilities as assigned or required.
Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a related field required; Doctorate degree preferred.
At least six (6) years or more of progressive higher education administration experience.
At least four years of supervisory experience in Student Success, Academic Advising, Financial Services, Registrar, Graduate Student Engagement, or a One‑Stop setting.
Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and motivating diverse professional teams.
Proven record of developing and implementing strategic initiatives to enhance student retention and success.
Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and registrar/academic support practices.
Experience with student information systems and CRM platforms (Ellucian Colleague SaaS preferred).
Knowledge of student development theory and emerging trends in student support.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across units.
Demonstrated organizational, problem‑solving, and analytical abilities, with sound professional judgment.
Flexibility, creativity, and innovation in addressing complex student success challenges.
APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION WILL CLOSE ON OCTOBER 31, 2025.
Position Minimum Hourly Rate or Annual Salary: $85,000
Position Maximum Hourly Rate or Annual Salary: $102,500
The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including department budget.
At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life, and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits. Click here for more information.
Additional Information
Position subject to a background screening
This is a non-union position
This is a full-time position
This position is overtime ineligible
Cover letter is required
Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Equal Opportunity Employer Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.
Primary Location United States-Illinois-Chicago
Job Type Standard
Job Level Director
Travel No
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Under the direction of the Associate Vice President for Student Success, the Director of the Student Success Center provides strategic leadership for a centralized, student‑focused hub that supports persistence, retention, and degree completion. The Student Success Center will house Persistence Initiatives, Academic Advising, Card Services, and Columbia Central, as well as flexible “pop‑up” services and activities designed to holistically support student success.
The Director will manage a team of professional staff dedicated to proactive, integrated student support, drawing upon human‑centered design principles to strengthen the overall student experience. The Director will play a key role in fostering collaboration across Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, and Student Services to ensure that all students receive coordinated, accurate, and timely support.
Duties & Responsibilities
Direct and oversee student-facing services across the Student Success Center, specifically Student Success Specialist/Columbia Central, Card Services, and related “pop‑up” initiatives. Ensure seamless, proactive, and holistic service to students in matters related to financial aid, billing, registration, academic advising, veteran benefits, card services, and academic/financial appeals.
Collaborate with Enrollment Management, Registrar, Academic Affairs, and Student Success leadership to align services with institutional policies, federal/state regulations, and student success best practices.
Develop and manage strategic student outreach campaigns that identify and address enrollment and retention barriers; create scripts and communication flows to ensure consistent messaging.
Assign caseloads of students to counselors and monitor outreach effectiveness.
Prepare and deliver regular reports on retention, and student satisfaction metrics to the Associate Vice President for Student Success.
Oversee exception processes such as academic standing appeals, financial petitions, and professional judgment cases.
Lead the implementation of flexible “pop‑up” services to address emerging student needs throughout the academic year.
Provide ongoing training, professional development, and performance management for staff to ensure service excellence.
Maintain updated online resources, including the Student Success Center website and student portal content.
Manage vendor relationships related to student support services.
Lead, implement, and deliver mid‑to complex projects as assigned. This includes conducting a needs assessment, developing a timeline, identifying resources, and/or developing a communication plan with stakeholders.
Participate in professional development, project teams, and institutional committees.
Perform other related duties and/or responsibilities as assigned or required.
Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a related field required; Doctorate degree preferred.
At least six (6) years or more of progressive higher education administration experience.
At least four years of supervisory experience in Student Success, Academic Advising, Financial Services, Registrar, Graduate Student Engagement, or a One‑Stop setting.
Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and motivating diverse professional teams.
Proven record of developing and implementing strategic initiatives to enhance student retention and success.
Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and registrar/academic support practices.
Experience with student information systems and CRM platforms (Ellucian Colleague SaaS preferred).
Knowledge of student development theory and emerging trends in student support.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across units.
Demonstrated organizational, problem‑solving, and analytical abilities, with sound professional judgment.
Flexibility, creativity, and innovation in addressing complex student success challenges.
APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION WILL CLOSE ON OCTOBER 31, 2025.
Position Minimum Hourly Rate or Annual Salary: $85,000
Position Maximum Hourly Rate or Annual Salary: $102,500
The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including department budget.
At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life, and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits. Click here for more information.
Additional Information
Position subject to a background screening
This is a non-union position
This is a full-time position
This position is overtime ineligible
Cover letter is required
Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Equal Opportunity Employer Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.
Primary Location United States-Illinois-Chicago
Job Type Standard
Job Level Director
Travel No
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