Director, Student Development (College of Medicine-Phoenix)

The Director of Student Development (SD) provides direction and leadership for services and resources that foster and promote successful academic progression for all medical students. The director collaborates across the college and broader community to foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment and suggest process and policy improvements where needed. The director consults with medical students, faculty, and staff to promote academic and learning support; and provides leadership, supervision, and training for Student Development staff and peer learning mentors. The director sets the strategy, goals, and practice guidelines for the office of Student Development, a sub-unit within Student Affairs which provides a relationship-based model of learning support which promotes students' overall development as life-long learners and professionals.

This individual requires a strong understanding of the academic curriculum, national board preparation, research and national trends related to modernization of medical education and learning theory, including remediation strategies, as well as the capacity to learn new approaches for supporting ongoing changes in academic curricula and learner profiles. In short, this position spearheads and coordinates innovations and curricular integration efforts within Student Development that lead to student retention and the successful completion of medical school curriculum.

The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix anchors the 28-acre Phoenix Bioscience Core in the heart of the Valley of the Sun. The College inspires and trains individuals to become exemplary physicians, scientists and leaders who are life-long learners and inquisitive scholars. The Phoenix Biomedical Campus embodies the University's priorities of engagement, partnership, innovation, and synergy in its world-class academic and research initiatives, with clinical facilities throughout Greater Phoenix.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

• Lead the Student Development program, establishing goals for the team and success of all medical student learners.
• Provide longitudinal direction and vision for the student development sub-unit, including supplemental instruction and tutoring programs.
• Monitor and analyze progression data such as academic course trending and non-block progression toward national exams. Utilize this data to inform individual student recommendations as well as to create predictive models to support decision making related to USMLE exam readiness.
• Assess, innovate and implement strategies to improve academic support services for students across the medical curriculum and monitor the academic progress of approximately 500 medical students.
• Direct the preparation of operational reports and analyses to identify progress, adverse trends, program strengths and weakness, and to inform recommendations for consecutive Learning Center approaches.
• Develop programming, both independently and in collaboration with curricular faculty and staff. Plan, design, and implement curricular content and programming to support learner's academic and developmental needs throughout all four years of medical school. Incorporate pedagogies of professional identity formation and coaching.
• Thoughtfully incorporate evidence-based approaches at the program and individual level to support students of diverse backgrounds and neurotypes to academic success.
• Contribute to the success of the UME program and students through effective and proactive collaboration with stakeholders, including but not limited to curricular faculty and staff; Disability Resource Center; Pathways; and the Office of Community Initiatives. Steer faculty and staff workgroups to develop and expand learning communities.
• Partner with external units on a monthly basis to develop and implement process improvements, programmatic updates, and policies which impact students, staff, and faculty. Participate in college-wide workgroups and committees.
• Maintain strong and current working knowledge in area of responsibility through ongoing professional development, networking, and participation in relevant professional organizations (i.e. MELS). Keeping abreast of new innovations and research in this area and recommending subsequent changes to the program if needed.
• Provide supervision, direction, and support for the Student Development team to achieve the goals of the unit and department through shared work, delegation, and incorporation of best practices and standardized operating procedures.
• Direct the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, and ongoing performance evaluation of all staff members within the Student Development sub-unit.
• Oversee a variety of staff with diverse responsibilities, including 3 different staff classifications as well as providing higher level oversight for student employees (peer learning mentors).
• Provide professional development and individual support to supervises to ensure all team members have the required skills and tools to effectively meet student needs, incorporating constructive feedback, coaching, and program-improvement strategies as needed.
• Resolves issues relating to staff escalations.
• Oversee team development via provision of weekly staff meetings, periodic staff retreats, and coordination of collaborative efforts with external units.
• Resolves problems and issues affecting students and the department and recommends measures to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the department.
• Utilize leadership skills and strengths to promote constructive group dynamics and support programmatic changes and strategic initiatives as directed by the associate dean of student affairs and the Office of the Dean.
• Facilitates a safe place for students to come for a variety of issues related to their academic success including but not limited to development of learning and study skills, critical thinking, self and time management, test-taking strategies, integration of learning resources, strategies for Step 1 & Step 2 readiness (National Medical Exam Preparation), self-reflection, and maintaining an appropriate balance between life/school, to promote positive academic results.
• Partners with students to develop an individualized academic plan for continual progression and provides feedback and support to students based on educational theory, student-centered coaching, and current practices in learning/academic support.
• Maintains student records in compliance with university and college policies, as well as, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Keeps accurate documentation of consultations and communications within the designated data management system.
• Develops and delivers workshops and independent learning modules (ILMS) to enhance effective learning techniques-based learning theory and evidence-based strategies.
• Promotes and helps facilitate help-seeking behaviors and ongoing use of university/college resources.
• Supports and attends student functions as appropriate (i.e., peer lead tutoring sessions, orientation, graduation, match, and etc.).
• Provides budgetary and administrative oversight of the the Student Development sub-unit, tutoring program, and supplemental instruction resources.
• Leads the unit in accordance with the goals and vision of the College as a whole, serving as a steward of financial and intellectual resources to help achieve the College's mission.
• Participates in planning, developing, and administering department budget as it relates to retention initiatives and programs.
• Liaises with 3rd party vendors to select and purchase appropriate study/learning materials, resources, etc.
• Makes recommendations on budgetary expenditures for board preparation and academic resource budget.
• Represents the College/department and serves on various work groups and university committees.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to communicate effectively with different groups and individuals.
• Strong database, data analysis, and word processing skills.
• Skilled in conflict resolution and collaborative coaching.
• Knowledge of industry best practices and job functions.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 7 years of related work experience, including 3 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Master's degree
• Ed.D./Ph.D. degree with a focus on adult education, education, higher education, psychology, cognitive and learning skills, or a closely related field
• Experience in advising & coaching higher education learners to maximize their strengths and improve their academic performance, preferably in undergraduate or graduate medical education.
• Experience in supervising and training others to develop their skills in educational theory.

talent@arizona.edu

Application: The online application should be completed in its entirety. Blank or missed information may be considered an incomplete submission.

Cover Letter: Should clearly indicate how your skills and professional employment experience meet the Minimum and the Preferred qualifications (if applicable).