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Overview:

St. John Fisher University is an independent, liberal arts institution that provides a transformative education to approximately 3,800 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students each year. Across its five Schools, Fisher offers nearly 40 majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, education, and nursing; 11 pre-professional programs; and master’s and doctoral programs in business, nursing, education, pharmacy, and public health. The University’s residential campus boasts a robust living and learning community and a successful intercollegiate athletics program. Fisher is a community where all are welcome, regardless of religious or cultural background.

The University continues to honor its founders, the Congregation of St. Basil, by embracing their motto, “Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.” We are located in Pittsford, N.Y., seven miles outside of the city of Rochester. The campus is situated on 164 park-like acres—a beautiful setting for a warm, friendly campus community.

Job Responsibilities:

The Assistant Vice President ( AVP ) for Academic Support Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for a comprehensive suite of student-centered programs designed to promote academic success, retention, and persistence. Reporting directly to the Provost, this role leads key support units and collaborates across divisions to foster a supportive and achievement-oriented learning environment. This position requires a dynamic and collaborative leader with strong commitment to student development and success.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Management

+ Develop and implement institution-wide strategies to improve student retention, persistence, and completion.

+ Lead cross-functional initiatives that support academic progression and timely graduation.

+ Use data analytics to identify barriers to success and guide targeted interventions.

+ Develop a rapport with faculty and provide training and updates on retention efforts.

+ Review institutional policies and procedures and work collaboratively to identify and address barriers to student success.

+ Partner with Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, and Institutional Research to align support services with student needs.

+ Serve on committees related to student success, equity, and academic policy.

Management and Collaboration

+ Provide strategic direction to the departments and services under its management

+ Foster a collaborative and inclusive environment.

+ Supervise and mentor directors, ensuring professional development and high performance.

+ Serve as a liaison between student support services and other campus departments, fostering collaboration and results.

+ Represent the student support services area in institutional committees and initiatives.

+ Communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.

+ Develop and implement strategies for effective allocation and utilization of resources, including personnel and budget. Identify opportunities for efficiency and provide reports to Provost.

In partnership with the directors, this position has oversight responsibilities for the following areas and their respective charges:

Academic Advising

+ Oversee centralized and decentralized advising models to ensure consistency, quality, and student satisfaction.

+ Provide professional development and training for advising staff and faculty advisors.

+ Integrate advising with degree planning tools and early alert systems.

Career Services

+ Supervise the career development team, leveraging the programming, employer engagement, and experiential learning initiatives.

+ Align career readiness efforts with academic programs and workforce trends.

+ Promote internships, job placement, and graduate school preparation.

Accessibility Services

+ Ensure compliance with ADA and Section 504 regulations.

+ Lead efforts to create an accessible and inclusive learning environment for students with disabilities.

+ Collaborate with faculty and instructional designers to implement accommodations and universal design principles.

Tutoring & Academic Support

+ Oversee tutoring centers, writing labs, and peer mentoring programs.

+ Evaluate effectiveness of academic support services through usage data and student outcomes.

+ Expand support for high-impact courses and underserved student populations.

HEOP / TRIO / CSTEP

+ Provide effective advising and mentoring.

+ Monitor student progress and intervene early to address academic or personal challenges.

+ Foster a sense of belonging through community-building activities and cohort support.

Education / Experience:

Required Qualifications:

+ Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Student Affairs, or related field (Doctorate preferred).

+ Minimum of 7 years of progressive leadership experience in academic support, advising, career services or student success.

+ Demonstrated success in improving retention and persistence through strategic initiatives.

+ Excellent communication, collaboration, leadership, and data analysis skills.

+ Experience with student success platforms (e.g., Starfish, EAB Navigate, Degree Works).

+ Commitment to the mission of St. John Fisher University

Preferred Qualifications:

+ PhD in Education Administration, Counseling, Educational Leadership or related field.

+ Classroom and advising experience.

Competencies / Skills:

+ Ability to use a variety of technology tools and software.

+ Ability to plan based on complex data.

+ Budget planning and analysis.

+ Initiative and collaboration skills.

+ Leadership and strategic planning skills.

+ Excellent organizational and communication skills.

+ Strong understanding of academic advising and career services.

+ Ability to work effectively with a variety of constituents, including faculty.

+ Commitment to a wide range of student populations.

Supervision of Employees:

Supervise five direct reports who serve as directors of their areas.

Work Hours:

Full-time, 35-hour work week

Special Conditions for Eligibility:

Start date negotiable, ideally before the start of spring semester.

EEO Statement:

It is the policy of St. John Fisher University to provide Equal Employment Opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with the applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in each locality in which the University has employees.

The University does not discriminate against applicants or employees in hiring, promotion, termination or the terms and conditions of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, perceived sex, gender identity, gender expression, the status of being transgender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital status, military status, veteran status, predisposing genetic, characteristics or genetic information, arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Title IX Coordinator is the designated University official with primary responsibility for coordinating compliance with Title IX and related federal and state laws. The Title IX Coordinator, Meg Flaherty, Ph.D., can be reached by phone (585-385-8232), email ([email protected] ), in-person in Campus Center 209, or outside of business hours by contacting the Office of Safety and Security (585-385-8111).