Director of First Year Studies

About Us

Located in the fastest-growing region of the state, the University of North Georgia is a multi-campus university with an enrollment of over 20,000 students, making it one of the largest institutions in the University System of Georgia. UNG is focused on a mission of educational excellence, leadership development and community engagement opportunities that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. Through a variety of educational pathways that provide access and range from certificates and associate degrees to a professional doctoral program, UNG is responsive to regional education and economic development needs. Federally designated as a senior military college, one of the universitys signature leadership programs is its 800-member Corps of Cadets on UNGs Dahlonega Campus.

Job Summary

The Director of First-Year Studies provides strategic leadership for First-Year Seminar courses and related initiatives, including curriculum development and instructor recruitment. Collaborating with faculty, staff, and campus partners, the director fosters an engaging environment for first-year students and ensures a coordinated approach across all campuses. In partnership with Student Engagement and Success, this role aligns curricular strategies to strengthen retention and support student transition, engagement, and persistence during the first year.

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) and holds the responsibility of serving as a mandatory reporter for all Clery Act crimes.

Please be advised that any offer of employment is contingent upon your eligibility to work in the United States. The university is aware of recent federal changes that may significantly increase the cost of filing H-1B visa petitions.

As a public institution, the university¿s ability to cover such costs is subject to budgetary constraints and state funding policies. Therefore, while we remain committed to supporting international faculty hires, we cannot guarantee payment of any newly imposed or increased visa-related fees.

If you have any questions regarding the visa policy, please contact Monica Arrendale at (706) 867-4470.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversee the creation, assessment, and revision of the curriculum for the First-Year Studies Course(s) and align the course(s) with the institution¿s mission and student success priorities. Oversee the development, design and implementation of innovative curriculum to support academic student engagement, academic performance and retention. Oversee the faculty and staff development programming for new and experienced instructors. Oversee course scheduling and ensure effective coordination of sections. Recruit, hire, evaluate and retain qualified instructors to teach UNG 1101. Oversee the administrative opportunities, such as grade appeals, course substitutions, etc., for the course. Engage in shared governance by involving relevant constituents in planning through strategic consultations.
• Contribute to retention and graduation rates by collaboratively developing programs and initiatives with Student Engagement and Success that help students transition to higher education and persist to graduation.
• Oversee relevant assessment activities related to the first-year experience, including coordinating with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness in support of the accreditation requirements, conducting end-of-semester and end-of-year student surveys, as well as managing the assessment of the first-year seminars. Prepare reports and data analysis to inform course revisions and institutional decisions.
• Establish and co-chair a First-Year Experience Council to guide and coordinate efforts, assessment methods, and best practice approach to FYE at UNG.
• Coordinate with directors/department chairs/associate deans/deans/supervisors to staff according to enrollment needs.
• Teach a minimum of one course each semester.
• Perform other Duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledgeable about best practices for first-year students.
• Knowledgeable about and experience with conducting assessments, analyzing data, and communicating results.
• Knowledge of Learning Management System.
• Excellent organizational, teamwork, and communication skills.

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate
• Minimum of three years of experience in academic success or student success.
• Prior experience teaching and/or advising first-year students.
• Experience or demonstrated potential in designing, implementing and evaluating programs and/or curriculum.
• Minimum of three years of leadership experience in Academic Affairs.
• Credentials required for tenure-track eligibility or appointment as a tenured associate or full professor in a department/college at the University of North Georgia.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with budget management is preferred

Proposed Salary

The minimum starting salary is $73,155.

Required Documents to Attach

• Resume, Cover Letter, and Transcripts
• Contact information for three professional references

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values

The University of North Georgia, a regional multi-campus institution and premier senior military college, provides a culture of academic excellence in a student-focused environment that includes quality education, service, research, and creativity. This is accomplished through broad access to comprehensive academic and co-curricular programs that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. The University of North Georgia is a University System of Georgia leadership institution and is The Military College of Georgia. More details on the UNG Mission, Values, Vision, and Culture can be found at https://ung.edu/about/mission-vision-values.php

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of North Georgia, as determined by University of North Georgia in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of North Georgia, a unit of the University System of Georgia, is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sex or national origin, age, disability, religion, genetics or veteran status. Georgia is an open records state. Also, UNG is a federal contractor and desires priority referrals of protected veterans.

Other Information

This is not a supervisory position.

This position does not have any financial responsibilities.

This position will be required to drive.

This role is considered a position of trust.

This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).

This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time.

This position does not require security clearance.

Please note: the University of North Georgia career board updates daily, positions are subject to be removed without prior notice or before the posting expires.

Background Check

• Position of Trust + Education