Adult Learner Services Director

Category: Administrative
Department: Dean, University College
Locations: Bowling Green, KY
Posted: Jun 16, ’14
Type: Full-time
Ref. No.: 997023

About Western Kentucky University:
Western Kentucky University aspires to be the University of choice for faculty and staff who are dedicated to helping advance academic excellence. True to its spirit, WKU offers an inviting, nurturing, and challenging work environment, which is responsive to the needs of a diverse and ambitious learning community. WKU’s main campus is located on a hill overlooking the city of Bowling Green (population est. 60,000), and is acclaimed as one of the most beautiful in the nation. We invite you to consider WKU as a place where your academic and professional dreams can be realized.

Job Description:
Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are customary for this position, but are not to be construed as all-inclusive. Duties may be added, deleted, and assigned based on management discretion and institutional needs.

Administrative Duties:

• Supervises daily operations of Adult Learner Services as a whole
• Trains and supervises staff, graduate assistants, and student workers
• Manages administrative, budget, and strategic planning responsibilities for operational and grant indices
• Writes and submits CPE-required reports
• Assess program effectiveness
• Represents WKU FINISH at quarterly meetings associated with Project Graduate
• Oversees summer scholarship criteria, award, and distribution
• Stays apprised of and keeps staff members aware of ongoing campus activities, services, and initiatives that pertain to adult learners
• Attends professional development workshops and conferences related to adult learners in higher education
• Maintains regular contact with the office of the Dean of University College, apprising him/her of initiatives and activities
• Represents Adult Learner Services at University College staff meetings

Advising Duties:

Assists Adult Learner Counselor with student counseling and advising during peak advising times
Outreach Duties:

• Identifies and provides innovative and appropriate initiatives to attract adult learners to WKU
• Works with regional and South Campus personnel to assure adult learners are represented and included in adult learner initiatives, services, and reporting
• Schedules regular South Campus and regional campus visits for ALS
• Advocates for adult learners and adult learner friendly policies: aids WKU campus and community in becoming more Adult Learner friendly
• Liaises with and provides support for other campus programs endeavoring to reach out to adult learners for retention and degree completion, especially Prior Learning Assessment

Marketing Duties:

• Be the public face of WKU Adult Learner Services
• Strategizes for and supervises the ongoing development of marketing and communications to adult learners, the WKU campuses, WKU and the community

Knowledge and Skills Considered Essential for Success

• Must be able to organize, manage, and prioritize time and multiple projects effectively
• Demonstrated leadership, planning, and organization skills
• Proven ability to collaborate in an academic environment
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
• Must be creative and flexible
• Must be able to work occasional nights and weekend hours as required

Requirements:
Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Adult Education, or a related field
• Two years of experience working with adult learners in a higher education environment

Additional Information:
Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

Western Kentucky University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, veteran status, or marital status in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices in accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify The Office of Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/University ADA Services at (270) 745 – 5121, a minimum of five working days in advance.

Application Instructions:
All applications and resumes must be submitted through this online electronic talent management system. Only those individuals who submit all required materials will be considered as eligible applicants. We invite you to submit a cover letter which describes your interest and fit for this position. You will receive email notification confirming your application materials have been received. Review of application materials will generally begin as applications are submitted. The expected hire date is on or about August 4, 2014.