Working Title: Student Success Director, College of Science and Mathematics

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Science and Mathematics

Department: 100129 - Dean - College of Science and Math

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 10/27/2025

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The College of Science and Mathematics (CSM) invites applications for a Student Success Director (SSD). Our vision for this position builds on existing initiatives within CSM departments, the College, and the University. As a member of the CSM Dean’s leadership team, this person will advise and support CSM faculty, staff, students, and administration in the development and implementation of initiatives and programming that support prospective and current CSM students. This person will participate in short-term and long-term strategic planning related to student success, collaborating with other units on campus such as the Office of Student Academic Success and the University Career Center (UCC).

The College of Science and Mathematics is comprised of the departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Geology and Environmental Science, Mathematics and Statistics, and Physics and Astronomy, as well as collaborative offerings in Biotechnology, Data Analytics, and three Environmental programs. CSM is a disciplinarily diverse community of 193 faculty, 18 staff, and approximately 1600 undergraduate majors and graduate students. Our faculty are both teachers and scholars who are dedicated to advancing knowledge through excellence in teaching, high-impact learning experiences, and collaborative and original research. We foster critical thinking, student learning, and career readiness, while serving the broader community to promote a deeper understanding of the role and value of science and mathematics in society.

This position will report to the CSM Dean and is a 12-month Administrative and Professional (A&P) position. This position is not tenure eligible.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Responsibilities for the Student Success Director (SSD) center on efforts that support student recruitment, success, and career preparation in CSM. The successful candidate will be expected to stay current on emerging issues and developments about student support in higher education and particularly in STEM. Opportunities for teaching for qualified candidates are negotiable. The SSD is expected to effectively collaborate with colleagues in CSM and other offices.

Recruitment: The SSD will liaise with JMU Admissions and Transfer Initiatives to organize recruitment events for prospective and admitted students. The successful candidate will represent CSM on relevant committees.

Success/Programming: This person will, through a data-driven approach, help the College identify, develop, implement, and continue programming that supports student recruitment, retention, and success (e.g. workshops, career development events, speakers, community-building events). In addition to supporting first-year students, the SSD will lead programming for transfer and graduate students in CSM. The successful candidate will liaise with and lead CSM’s Student Council.

Career Preparation: In collaboration with the University Career Center (UCC), the SSD will develop resume/CV, career and networking events for students and faculty. The SSD will also work collaboratively with the CSM Communications Manager to promote programs and activities. The SSD will oversee the work of CSM faculty career liaisons.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline.
• Graduate degree (Master’s or Doctoral level) in a STEM discipline or equivalent experience.
• Strong organizational skills, e.g., programming, event-planning, or assessment.
• Strong communication skills, e.g., interpersonal, collaboration, and public speaking or presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience in student support engagement through activities such as teaching, mentoring, advising, planning outreach events, or related programming. This experience may come from within higher education or as an outside partner, e.g., industry, government, community organization.
• Experience in leadership roles or activities.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with internal or external partners.

Additional Posting Information:

To apply, please complete the online application and submit the following:
• CV or Resume (submitted under “Curriculum Vitae”)
• Cover letter

JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.