Director of First Year Experience

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Director Of First Year Experience

Charleston Southern University

Summary

The Director of First Year Experience is responsible for leading and coordinating Charleston Southern University’s comprehensive first-year transition initiatives designed to support student engagement, academic success, and retention. Under the supervision of the Executive Director of Student Success, this role oversees new student onboarding and transition programming, coordinates the administration and scheduling of first-year seminar courses, and provides training and support for faculty teaching those courses.
The Director collaborates across academic and student affairs divisions to create a Christ-centered first-year experience that promotes academic achievement, personal growth, and meaningful campus connection. This position also serves as Director of Launch, the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), which focuses on academic orientation, student success strategies, and fostering a strong sense of belonging among first-year students.

Key Responsibilities
• Promote a Christ-centered first-year experience that supports students’ academic, spiritual, personal, and social development.
• Help to implement the steps and initiatives of the new CSU QEP, Launch, including annual assessments and other duties as detailed below.
• Lead and coordinate new student onboarding initiatives, including communication, orientation support, transition programming, and first-year engagement efforts.
• Oversee the organization, scheduling, and administration of GNED 101 and later GNED 105 course sections in collaboration with academic departments and the registrar’s office.
• Recruit, train, support, and evaluate faculty teaching GNED 101 and GNED 105 courses to ensure consistency, quality instruction, and alignment with Launch learning outcomes.
• Develop and facilitate faculty training and professional development related to first-year student success, engagement strategies, and faith integration.
• Recruit, train, support, and evaluate upper-class student leaders who serve as peer-mentors to first-year seminar students.
• Collaborate with campus partners including Residence Life, Career Services, Athletics, Enrollment, and Academic Colleges to enhance the first-year student experience.
• Assist in the development and assessment of first-year programming, using data and student feedback to evaluate effectiveness and guide continuous improvement.
• Support communication efforts related to first-year programs, student expectations, and campus resources for students and families.
• Serve as a resource for faculty, staff, and students regarding first-year transition challenges, engagement opportunities, and student success initiatives.
• Coordinate campus-wide programming and initiatives that foster connection, belonging, and student involvement during the first year.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, education, or a related field.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and project management experience.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
• A personal commitment to the Christian mission of Charleston Southern University and the integration of faith and learning.

Preferred

• Experience coordinating programs or initiatives involving faculty, staff, and students.
• Experience teaching or coordinating first-year seminar courses or orientation programs.
• Familiarity with student retention strategies, first-year transition models, and student development theory.
• Experience with assessment, program evaluation, and data-informed decision making.