Assistant Director, Student Affairs Assessment and Planning

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American University
Department:
Student Affairs
Time Type:
Full time
Job Type:
Regular
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Work Modality:
Full On Campus Presence
Union:
Excluded
Job Description:
Summary:
The Assistant Director, Student Affairs Assessment and Planning serves as a strategic leader in advancing a culture of assessment, evidence-based decision-making, and continuous improvement across the Division of Student Affairs. The Assistant Director, Student Affairs Assessment and Planning partners with all Student Affairs departments to enhance programmatic and operational outcomes, strengthen student learning and engagement, and ensure alignment with institutional and divisional strategic priorities. This role provides leadership in the coordination, development, and implementation of comprehensive assessment, evaluation, and planning processes that drive informed decision-making and innovation. The Assistant Director, Student Affairs Assessment and Planning leads data collection, analysis, and reporting for divisional initiatives. As a key advisor to Vice Provost for Student Affairs, this role provides insight on trends and outcomes related to student belonging, engagement, and success, informing strategies that promote meaningful student experiences and equitable outcomes. The position requires strong collaboration with the office of Institutional Research, as well as with campus partners and active engagement with students, families, and external stakeholders to advance Student Affairs priorities.

Essential Functions

1.) Assessment Planning and Coordination
Provides strategic leadership in the design, implementation, and coordination of comprehensive assessment plans across all Student Affairs departments. Ensures assessment initiatives are aligned with divisional priorities, institutional goals, and accreditation standards. Partners with divisional leaders and departments to develop and refine learning outcomes, performance indicators, and measurable goals that strengthen program quality, operational effectiveness, and the student experience. Analyzes assessment results to identify trends, highlight opportunities for continuous improvement, and recommend evidence-based enhancements to divisional practices, policies, and procedures. Develop and manage systems for tracking and evaluating divisional initiatives, strategic priorities, and deliverables to promote accountability and progress toward measurable student success outcomes. Leads the creation and maintenance of an annual Student Affairs assessment and planning calendar, ensuring timely reporting and integration with university-wide assessment cycles. Leads the Division’s assessment committee. Leads the production of the annual Division of Student Affairs Annual Impact Reports, department annual reports, and semester reports. Provide leadership, coordination and project management with the division’s strategic action plan. Collaborate with key campus partners including the Office of Information Technology, Institutional Research, Student Retention and Success, Undergraduate Education and Academic Services, and Enrollment Management to support shared projects, data integration efforts, and other-related initiatives.
2.) Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting
Collects, analyzes, and interprets strategic data to inform divisional decision-making, resource allocation, and long-term planning. Provides actionable insights that shape programmatic assessment, strategic initiatives, and emerging Student Affairs priorities. Develops and implements strategies to identify and engage students not currently involved in co-curricular activities. Provide assessment support for Housing & Residence Life, including the Residential Experience and the Residential Curriculum. Support assessment planning related to accreditation and continuous quality improvement for both the Student Health Center and the Center for Well-Being. Support division-wide assessment, data analytics, dashboards, program evaluation, survey administration, and institutional reporting to support strategic planning and executive decision-making. Serve as the point of contact for Student Affairs student success outcomes, and supports all major cohorts, programs and initiatives that tell the division’s student success stories. Collaborates with key partners across campus including Institutional Research, Undergraduate Education, and Student Retention and Success to design data-informed interventions that increase engagement, belonging, and retention. In conjunction with the Student Affairs Data Analytics Team, oversees the data analysis and presentation of assessment projects conducted across Student Affairs departments, ensuring findings are clearly communicated, actionable, and aligned with institutional priorities. Prepares and delivers high-quality reports and presentations for Board of Trustees, senior leadership, university committees, and external audiences, articulating progress toward divisional goals and institutional impact.

3.) Consultation, Training and Capacity Building

Serves as the division’s subject matter expert on Student Affairs assessment, benchmarking, and evaluation best practices, ensuring divisional strategies align with national standards and institutional goals. Creates and standardizes templates, policies, and procedures for internal and external reporting to enhance consistency, transparency, and efficiency in data management and communication across the division. Provides expert training and consultation to divisional staff on assessment design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting. Supports departments in building the capacity to use evidence-based decision-making to enhance programs and student outcomes. Develops and facilitates workshops, guides, and digital resources to strengthen staff assessment literacy and promote a culture of continuous improvement across the Division of Student Affairs.

Oversee the development and maintenance of the Student Affairs Assessment website, ensuring it serves as a dynamic resource for data sharing, transparency, and communication of divisional impact.

4.) Collaboration, Partnerships and Student Activism Support Team
Serves as a designated member of the Student Activism Support Lead Team (SAST) and participates in an on-call rotation to support student activism, expressive activity, demonstrations, advocacy efforts, and other student-led engagement activities. Serves as a visible university representative and resource during planned and emergent student activities, promoting constructive engagement, effective communication, conflict de-escalation, and adherence to university policies and community standards. Provides after-hours and weekend support for student programs, campus events, demonstrations, and other activities that may require university response, coordination, or intervention on alternating basis. Collaborates with campus partners including the AU Police Department, Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices, the Office of Inclusive Excellence, and other university stakeholders to support student well-being, campus operations, and institutional response efforts. Maintains availability during assigned on-call periods to respond to emerging recognized student organization events and/or activism concerns, assess situations, provide appropriate support and referrals, and ensure continuity of university services during evenings, weekends, holidays, and other non-business hours.
Coordinate with other Student Affairs and University departments, and external organizations to conceive, develop, and execute initiatives and programs. Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with