Director of Student Development

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Reports to: Assistant VP of Student Affairs/Dean of Students

Position Summary

The Director of Student Development provides strategic leadership for institution-wide student retention and persistence efforts, with a strong emphasis on data curation, analytics, and proactive student engagement. This role is responsible for translating student data into actionable insights, designing evidence-based interventions, and fostering collaborative partnerships that improve retention, advancement, and graduation outcomes for all student populations.

The Director serves as a central liaison between academic affairs, student affairs, institutional research, and enrollment management, ensuring that resource connection, data-informed decision-making, and meaningful student engagement are embedded across the student lifecycle.

Essential Job Duties

Data Curation, Analysis, and Strategy

• Lead the curation, governance, and integration of student success data from multiple sources (e.g., SIS, LMS, advising platforms, surveys, early alert systems).
• Develop and maintain dashboards, reports, and predictive models to monitor retention, persistence, and risk indicators.
• Translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for campus stakeholders, including senior leadership, deans, advisors, and faculty.
• Implementing and managing potential retention and student engagement software.
• Partner with Institutional Research to establish metrics, benchmarks, and assessment frameworks for student retention initiatives.
• Ensure ethical, equitable, and FERPA-compliant use of student data in decision-making and intervention design.

Student Engagement and Retention Initiatives

• Design, implement, and assess proactive, scalable student engagement strategies focused on first-year students, transfer students, and other priority populations.
• Oversee early alert and case management processes that connect students to timely academic and co-curricular support.
• Collaborate with advising, tutoring, financial aid, residence life, campus involvement/engagement, and student support services to align engagement efforts and reduce barriers to persistence.
• Promote high-impact practices that foster belonging, academic momentum, and student connection to the institution.

First-Generation Student Coordination and Advocacy

• Serve as the primary campus coordinator for first-generation student support initiatives.
• Design and implement engagement programs, workshops, and communications tailored to first-generation students at key transition points throughout the student life cycle.
• Collaborate with orientation, advising, academic support, and student engagement offices to embed first-generation success strategies into retention efforts.
• Advocate for first-generation students by identifying systemic barriers and recommending improvements to policies, practices, or services.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Provide leadership and supervision for retention-focused staff and initiatives.
• Serve as a campus leader and advocate for student success using data-informed practices.
• Convene cross-functional teams and committees focused on retention strategy, intervention design, and continuous improvement.
• Support grant-funded or externally supported student success initiatives, including data reporting and outcomes assessment.

Assessment and Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate the effectiveness of retention and engagement programs using qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Prepare regular reports and presentations on retention trends, program outcomes, and recommendations for improvement.
• Stay current on national best practices, research, and emerging technologies related to student retention and engagement.

 

Omission of specific statement of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education administration, educational research, data analytics, student affairs, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, educational research, data analytics, student affairs, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in student success, retention, institutional research, or related areas.
• Demonstrated experience working with student data systems, analytics, and reporting tools.
• Strong understanding of student development, engagement strategies, and retention theory.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present data-driven insights to a wide audience.
• Experience at a regional public university or similar institution.
• Familiarity with predictive analytics, CRM or student success platforms, and dashboarding tools.

 

Licenses/Certifications

• N/A

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Data-informed decision-making
• Collaborative leadership
• Strategic thinking and project management
• Student-centered mindset
• Ability to bridge technical data work with relational student engagement
• Must have a strong work ethic and lead by example
• Must be a professional, credible and respected representative of the institution internally and in the community
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to act ethically and socially responsible
• Ability to communicate in a courteous manner

 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Frequently communicate and exchange information with others

Frequently stand and walk throughout the facility

Frequently reach with hands and arms; grasp and manipulate objects

Occasionally climb or balance, move up and down from floor level

Occasionally perform repetitive wrist or finger movements

 

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position may provide direct supervision to individual contributors and offers continuous performance feedback. The role may also involve active participation in departmental activities to meet schedules and resolve issues as needed.

East Central University, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, marital status, genetic information, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admission, employment, financial aid, and educational services. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Employment Services Director, 1100 E. 14th St., Danley Hall 111, Ada, OK 74820, (580) 559-5260.

Please ensure you have completed the Equal Opportunity Data Form with your application. Equal Opportunity Data Form.pdf