Center For Academic Success Director

Description:

The Center for Academic Success (CAS) housed within the College of Education seeks a dynamic and experienced individual to provide overall management and direction for center activities including educational, student support, research, and outreach initiatives. CAS is at the forefront of the emerging field of human flourishing, blending scientific inquiry and applied practice to enrich people’s lives and foster a thriving and compassionate society. CAS is dedicated to promoting student success in and beyond educational experiences with a primary mission of maximizing student achievement by providing academic, wellness, and social support to Penn State students as they seek to succeed and progress.

This position will oversee daily operations of the center, develop new initiatives aligned with the Center’s mission, and collaborate with Development and Alumni Relations to maintain and cultivate donor relationships. The Director will coordinate the work between people with a range of expertise and scientific perspectives in curriculum, educational psychology, school psychology, special education, rehabilitation and human services, as well as counseling.

The emergence of robust empirical research in fields such as psychology, education, rehabilitation, and counseling has set the stage for rigorous study of topics related to what it means to excel and succeed in and through educational experiences. Many factors influence this success and a wider achievement of happiness in life and include: Belonging and Connection, Academic Skills & Capital, Mindfulness & Metacognition, Purpose & Meaning, Health (Physical and Mental), and Financial Security & Safety. In addressing these factors, the central program focus of CAS is on:

Academic Success Coaching and Training. CAS will develop mindfulness-based academic success coaching training to certify faculty, staff and peer undergraduate coaches. CAS will seek to position itself as a training resource for faculty-level and peer-level coaches and provide coaching for all UP students with a focus on College of Ed students and students with identified needs.

Wellness Programming. CAS will offer wellness programming for UP students to support their well-being and their ability to excel. This programming will include mindfulness and compassion programs.

Mission-Aligned Coursework and Certification Programs. CAS will support the development and implementation of mission-aligned coursework and certification programming including general education courses to support the factors of flourishing, Social and Emotional Learning certification for in-service teachers, and trauma-informed pedagogy.

Mission-aligned Research Agenda and Graduate Student Training. CAS will support a robust research agenda with a focus on holistic support for succeeding in educational settings.

Mission-aligned Outreach. CAS will look to connect with Penn State and K-12 institutions to support students through K-16.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for CAS in the development, branding, delivery, and oversight of programs including undergraduate peer coaching, wellness programming related to mindfulness and compassion, and establishing K-12 partnerships.
• Develop and maintain budget to extend seed funding to reach long-term objectives of a physical center and university-wide integration. Create a sustainable model of funding for expanded access to peer and faculty coaching that may include sliding scale fees, accepting insurance and/or other internal and external sources.
• Collaborate with Development and Alumni Relations to acquire funding internally and externally to achieve CAS objectives.
• Network across Penn State units to effectively connect coaching programs with other support services such as disability, mental health, engagement, and health and wellness services.
• Create certification programs for mindful academic coaching and the established Learning 2 Breathe program.
• Collaborate with faculty to create an overarching research agenda with a focus on program development, data-driven decision-making, and publication of relevant peer-reviewed products.

Required Qualifications:

Master’s degree in education or related field. Evidence of successful fundraising to support academic and other initiatives. Evidence of development, branding, delivery, and oversight of related academic and behavioral support programs in higher education. Evidence of a commitment to working effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds. Evidence of a commitment to collegiality and collaboration.