Executive Director, Student Success

Grand Valley State University is searching for an Executive Director for Student Success. We are looking for a collaborative leader and strategic thinker who has a deep understanding of academic advising and student success. This role provides oversight and leadership for the First-Year Academic Experience, Student Academic Success Center, Laker Academic Success Center, and Exploratory Advising Center, and is also responsible for campus coordination and support of academic advising. This position serves as campus administrator for student success software (Navigate), including supervision of the Student Success Software Specialist. The successful candidate will possess at least a Master’s degree, preferably in higher education administration, student development or a related field.

Salary & Benefits:

Minimum starting salary of $114,000, commensurate with experience.

Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

Primary Duties:

1.    Serve as campus lead for academic advising; develop advising systems, policies, and procedures across the campus that provide equitable access to advising services as well as the stated outcomes of advising.  Coordinate campus efforts to support and enhance academic advising as a key student success strategy. 
2.    Serve as campus academic representative for software and technologies related to advising and student success.  Work closely with Information Technology, the Office of the Registrar, Enrollment Development, and Student Affairs on the integration of technologies that support advising and student success. 
3.    Provide leadership, oversight, and supervision for the Student Academic Success Center, Laker Academic Success Center, Exploratory Advising Center and the Student Success Software Specialist. Provide guidance on support for program offerings, staffing, budgeting, and assessment.
4.    Oversee faculty-led student success initiatives including the First-Year Academic Experience and related course offerings, Student Success Network, Linked Courses/Learning Communities, and academic advising at New Student Orientation. Supervise the faculty director of the First-Year Academic Experience. Ensure all faculty-led initiatives are integrated into overall institutional efforts to enhance student success.
5.    Lead Academic Affairs coordination with the Oliver Wilson Scholars (OWS) program.
6.    Collaborate with Institutional Analysis on the development and implementation of student success data including efforts to identify students needing support and assistance.  Work with campus partners to ensure that students respond to these efforts and that follow-up connections with identified students are effective.
7.    Perform other duties as required/assigned by leadership.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

•    Master’s degree is required, preferably in higher education administration, student development or related field.
•    Minimum of ten (10) years of related work experience in the area of student success.
•    Administrative or other significant academic leadership experience. 
•    Experience leading and supervising professional staff, including setting expectations, providing feedback, supporting professional development, and fostering a collaborative team environment.
•    Experience working with students, staff, and faculty of diverse backgrounds.
•    Strong organizational skills.
•    A flexible and collegial work and communication style.
•    Comfort with high levels of responsibility and accountability.
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills.
•    Excellent analytic ability.
•    Prior experience working in higher education.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
•    In progress or earned doctorate, preferably in higher education administration, student development or related field.
•    Deep understanding of best practices related to student success and the ability to use data to make decisions that support student success.
•    Direct experience in using technology systems and data dashboards to guide student success efforts.
•    Experience integrating career design and career readiness into student success strategies, helping students connect their academic, co-curricular, and experiential learning to meaningful career pathways.
•    Experience leading or developing first-year advising programs that support students’ transition to college, foster belonging and engagement, and promote academic success, persistence, and degree completion.
 

How to Apply:

A complete application must include:

(1) a cover letter addressing qualifications and motivations to take this position,

(2) resume, and

(3) contact information for 3 professional references. Applications missing required documents will not be considered. The system will allow you to attach these documents electronically. If you have questions about the position or the posting, please contact Donovan Anderson, [email protected]. If you need technical assistance, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship now or in the future.

Application Deadline:
Application review begins on September 23, 2026. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University. 
 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

 

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.