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Director of Student Academic Affairs - College of Business

Ferris State University

75k - 85k USD/year

Office

Big Rapids, MI 49307

Full Time

Position Title: Director of Student Academic Affairs - College of Business   Location: Big Rapids (Main Campus)   Department:

34000 - COB Deans Office

  Advertised Salary: $75,000 - $85,000; Salary commensurate with education, experience, and other requirements.   Benefits:

Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.

Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans

  FLSA: Exempt   Temporary/Continuing:  Continuing   Part-Time/Full-Time: Full-Time   Union Group: N/A   Term of Position: 12 Month   At Will/Just Cause: At Will   Summary of Position: The Director of Student Academic Affairs is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all administrative activities that support student success within the College of Business. This role ensures effective processes for student recruitment, matriculation, advising, registration, academic progress, and graduation across the main campus and statewide/remote locations. The Director serves as a central resource for students and families, faculty, and staff, and represents the College on university-wide initiatives related to student services and academic affairs. The position reports directly to the Dean of the College of Business.

The anticipated start date for this position is January of 2026. However, this is an estimated date and can be revised if needed.   Position Type: Staff   Required Education: • Master’s degree in a relevant field.   Required Work Experience: • Three or more years of higher education supervisory or leadership experience in student academic affairs or support services.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in supporting a large and diverse student population across multiple academic programs.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Commitment to fostering student success and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.   Required Licenses and Certifications:     Physical Demands:
  • Office Environment
  • Reaching
  • Sitting
  • Twisting
  • Repetitive movement
  Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered: • Doctorate in a relevant field.
• Skilled in data-informed decision-making and process administration.
• Experience developing and implementing policies and procedures.
• Proven success as a project manager with strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, and solve problems constructively.
• Ability to balance strategic vision with attention to detail.
• Effective as both a team leader and collaborator.   Essential Duties/Responsibilities: Student Support & Policy Administration
• Serve as the primary problem-solver and referral source for student issues related to academic support, advising, emotional well-being, academic integrity, and course or policy concerns.
• Interpret and apply College and University policies and procedures; ensure adherence to ethical and professional standards.
• Manage student academic progress (SAP), probation, dismissal, late drop/add/withdrawal appeals, and exceptions to academic policies.
• Oversee processes for admissions, transfer evaluations, graduation standards, and enrollment compliance.
• Coordinate advising assignments, program changes, and support for special student populations (e.g., first-generation, underprepared, veterans, international, students of color, students with differing abilities).

Recruitment, Retention, and Orientation
• Coordinate and support College of Business student recruitment initiatives, including DAWG Days, open houses, and statewide outreach.
• Lead college retention efforts, developing initiatives to support student persistence and graduation.
• Oversee new student orientation for the College of Business, ensuring appropriate faculty/staff support and accurate scheduling for incoming students.
• Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.

Administrative Oversight & Leadership
• Supervise professional advisors, staff, and student employees engaged in student academic affairs functions.
• Manage office operations, including advising processes, orientation procedures, student employment budgets, scheduling, and recordkeeping.
• Approve staff leave requests, ensuring office coverage to meet student needs.
• Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty and staff to thrive authentically.
• Provide accreditation-related data for ACBSP, HLC, and other reviews.
• Monitor budget allocations for student recruitment, retention, and related activities.

Collaboration & Representation
• Act as College representative to university-wide groups and committees, including Academic Leadership Council, Transfer Services Center, DSSA, Curriculum Committee (ex-officio), and various student support initiatives (First Scholars, Honors Program, First-Gen Working Group, etc.).
• Liaise with external partners regarding transfer guides, articulation agreements, and curricular equivalencies to ensure consistency across statewide and online programs.
• Coordinate with Institutional Research and other offices to collect, analyze, and use data to improve student services.
• Support faculty and staff in providing advising, student recognition, and engagement opportunities outside the classroom.

Other Duties
• Maintain the Student Academic Affairs/Dean’s Office Procedure Manual.
• Recommend service improvements based on best practices and higher education research.
• Oversee student engagement initiatives (e.g., student advisory board).
• Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.

  Marginal Duties/Responsibilities:     Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.   Required Documents:
  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • Unofficial Transcript 1
  Optional Documents: Unofficial Transcript 2   Special Instructions to Applicants: Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of an unofficial transcript of Master's degree in relevant field. Transcript must include Institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript.

Unofficial Transcript 2 (OPTIONAL): Attach a copy of unofficial transcript of doctorate in a relevant field (if applicable as described in Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered section). Transcript must include: Institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript.   Initial Application Review Date:
October 6, 2025   Open Until Position is Filled?: Yes   Posting Close Date:
    EEO Statement: Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence.  Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement.     Click here to learn more about working at FSU and KCAD.

Director of Student Academic Affairs - College of Business

Office

Big Rapids, MI 49307

Full Time

75k - 85k USD/year

September 12, 2025

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Ferris State University

FerrisState