Position Summary:
Fort Lewis College seeks a culture-builder and retention expert to serve as the Director of the Skyhawk Station & Advising. The Director leads the Skyhawk Station – an office with the dual purpose of providing exceptional front-line service to students at the one-stop-shop and serving as the academic advising office for lower division undergraduate students. The primary purpose of the one-stop is to provide integrated student services regarding Financial Aid, Student Accounts and Registrar. The Skyhawk Advising Team provides professional advising in a high-touch caseload management model for all undergraduate students with less than 60 credits. The Director role requires strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders to improve the efficiency and quality of student services. The Director is also responsible for coordinating outreach and communication to continuing students, managing personnel, ensuring data security, and implementing continuous improvements to enhance the student experience. This position reports to the Dean of Enrollment Management.
As a leader on campus and key member of the Enrollment Management team, the Director of the Skyhawk Station & Advising works closely with departments across the division to provide exceptional service to current students in supporting the strategic plan for the college in keeping “students at the center.” In addition, the Director works in collaboration with the Dean of Enrollment Management, Provost and Academic Affairs leadership to ensure academic and enrollment policies are efficiently designed to support student success from enrollment to persistence through to graduation.
You’ll be successful in this position if you like to keep current on the internal and external changes affecting higher education and the retention and graduation of students. You share our enthusiasm for supporting students, have a willingness to wear many hats for the good of the whole, and you are interested in streamlining processes to make an impact. You’ll be adaptable and flexible in your approach to your work while you understand the importance of systems, you know you must empower your staff to be a part of the solutions and innovations that will carry higher ed forward. You will bring an unyielding commitment to an equitable and student-centered experience and you will play an important role in our legacy as a top public liberal arts college in the country for diversity.
Job Description:
Strategy and Policy Development:
Develop and articulate the strategic vision for the Skyhawk Station one-stop, focusing on enhancing student services efficiently.
Collaborate with stakeholders to formulate and implement proactive policies and procedures.
Lead internal and external communications for the registrar, financial aid, and student accounts in a proactive manner and collaborate with respective offices to disseminate information quickly. This includes developing a comprehensive communication plan along with managing the Skyhawk Station’s website and informational brochures.
Serve as liaison between Enrollment Management units, academic departments, Student Affairs, and Student Accounts in all One-Stop-related initiatives and facilitate communication and collaboration among these units.
Assist the Dean of Enrollment Management in developing, evaluating, interpreting, and enforcing academic, student billing, and enrollment management policies, procedures, and strategies; serve as an authoritative source of such information.
Make and approve decisions which may establish or alter policies, procedures, or operations.
Participate in relevant student services-focused campus committees.
Work with the Dean of Enrollment Management, President, Provost, and other campus leadership to develop an enrollment plan and the strategies and tactics necessary to execute on that plan.
Manage day-to-day Skyhawk Station operations, ensuring effective addressing of student and parent needs.
Continually evaluate policies, performance data, programs, and services of the department to ensure compliance, quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of operations.
Efficiently handle escalations from staff.
Oversee technology improvements aligned with the Skyhawk Station mission.
Develop and maintain office policies and procedures.
Identify and address potential enrollment barriers related to business processes.
Navigate confidential student information across multiple systems securely.
Ensure compliance with the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Manage budget and approve operating expenses in accordance with College policies.
Effectively utilize college resources in accomplishing goals by planning, developing, and managing the departmental budget.
Develop a competent, productive, and effective staff by hiring, supervising (directly or through delegation) 14 staff in the Skyhawk Station
Train and develop staff to ensure their success, including providing assessment and feedback for continuous improvement.
Foster an office environment that empowers staff to provide exceptional service to students, provide solutions, and innovate for equity, efficiency, and student-centered practices.
Facilitate a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
Perform other duties as required, assigned by the Dean of Enrollment Management
Application Process
A complete application packet includes:
Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position.
Resume
Names and contact information for three current, professional references.
Application materials received by April 5, 2024, will receive full consideration.
The position will remain open until filled.
About Fort Lewis College:
On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains, Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorado’s premier public undergraduate research institution. With more than half of the 3,300 students identifying as people of color, FLC’s academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe, diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals. A Native American-serving, Non-Tribal Institution, FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the education they need to be the change in the world they want to see. Degree programs span the arts, business, education, health sciences, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural, cultural, and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in, FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students, faculty, and staff. Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Durango
Notice to Prospective Employees:
The Fort Lewis College is required by the Clery Act of 1990 to notify prospective employees, current employees, students and applicants where to access our Campus Security Report. The report is updated and published annually in accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Federal Student Right-to-Know, the Federal Drug-free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989. This report contains information about:
- Fort Lewis College's alcohol and other drug policy
- Sexual assault policy
- Campus security policies
- Campus/community resources
- The Colorado Riot Offense Statute restriction on enrollment
- Where to find registered sex offender information
- Crime statistics for the previous three calendar years
- Reporting crimes
The Campus Security Report can be accessed in two ways:
By going to the internet website at: www.fortlewis.edu/AnnualSecurityReport Fort Lewis College Student Affairs Office will also provide a paper copy of the annual security report upon request. You can reach them at (970) 247-7331.
Equal Opportunity
Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE.
Discrimination Questions?
Office of Compliance and Community Standards
David Pirrone, Director of Compliance
192 Education Business Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301
(970) 247-7182 djpirrone@fortlewis.edu
Questions about Title IX sex discrimination?
Office of the Title IX Coordinator
Kate Suazo, Assistant Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
230 Skyhawk Station
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301
(970) 247-6729 cmsuazo@fortlewis.edu
Information about Fort Lewis College’s alcohol and drug policy, sexual assault policy, campus security policies, campus crime statistics, fire safety procedures and fire statistics, and campus/community resources can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Hard copies are available upon request.
* Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLC's Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.
ADAA Accommodations
Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Kristin Polens by phone 970-247-7459 or email kpolens@fortlewis.edu at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.
