Central Washington University · 4 hours ago
Executive Director of Academic Advising and Student Success
Ellensburg, WA
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$91K/yr - $136K/yr
3+ years expCentral Washington University is recruiting an Executive Director of Academic Advising and Student Success to join their Academic Advising - Exploratory team. This role provides strategic leadership for university-wide advising and student retention initiatives, ensuring a cohesive and high-quality advising experience for students.
Higher Education
Hiring Manager
Blake Schliesser
Responsibilities
Provide strategic leadership and direction for coordinated, university-wide advising and other student retention and success initiatives
Direct key centralized advising services, establish evidence-informed standards, and implement university policy and procedures related to academic advising
Provide strategic coordination among the College Deans, Associate Deans, Advising Directors and other campus leadership to ensure a cohesive, coordinated, high-quality, and student-centered advising experience at CWU
Independently lead data-informed strategic priorities and administer programs to support undergraduate persistence, retention, graduation and success, with an emphasis on first year students
Engage best practices for professional advising and student success, relevant technologies, and strategic data insights throughout its portfolio of responsibilities
Provide fiscal and personnel management for several units including First Year and Exploratory Advising, and cross-functional programs and initiatives such as the first-year experience, early interventions, peer education, and public or private grant funding opportunities that support first year student success
Qualification
Required
Master's degree or an equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education in leadership in higher education
Knowledge and background in advising practices and procedures
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of best practices and industry standards in supporting student retention, continuation and completion
Demonstrated ability and/or experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds, and experiences
Demonstrated commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and institutional excellence through leadership and engagement with students and/or colleagues
OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position
Preferred
Experience in the development of academic advising programs and related initiatives informed by nationally accepted standards for advising
Demonstrated leadership experience conducting strategic planning or leading change management efforts
Demonstrated experience with Student Information Systems or other technological platforms/systems (e.g., PeopleSoft)
Demonstrated experience in establishing, directing and enforcing policies and regulations
Demonstrated ability to create and articulate processes and systems to guide work of self and others
Demonstrated ability to work in partnership within shared governance groups within an academic setting
Demonstrated expertise in analysis, interpretation and presentation of data as it relates to student retention, student success, and graduation rates
Experience analyzing budgets
Deep theoretical and practical knowledge of student persistence, retention, graduation, and success within a public comprehensive institution
Well developed organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently to meet competing deadlines
A record of promoting institutional excellence in the work environment
Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students through various activities
Benefits
Medical, dental, life and disability insurance
Retirement and optional savings plans
Tuition assistance for you and your dependents
Discounts across town
An employee assistance program for individualized counseling
A wellness incentive program
CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification.
Company
Central Washington University
Central Washington University, or CWU, is a publicly assisted university in Ellensburg, Washington in the United States
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Central Washington University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (7)
2024 (6)
2023 (15)
2022 (1)
2021 (4)
2020 (7)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Miguel Gomez
Founder & CEO of Cat Tank Business Competition
Thomas Tenerelli, Ph.D. Economics
CWU Investment Group: Co-Founder, Adviser, and Teacher of Fin Analysis Training Sessions
Recent News
2025-10-16
24-7 Press Release Newswire
2025-09-12
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