Description

Suffolk County Community College is the largest community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 26,000 students at its three campuses in Selden, Brentwood, and Riverhead, as well as its Culinary Arts Center in Riverhead. Established in 1959, the college offers a wide array of transfer-oriented associate degrees in the liberal arts and sciences; business; communications and the arts; computing and cybersecurity; health sciences; and many other areas. Career-facing degrees and certificates are offered in allied health professions, automotive technology, culinary and baking, manufacturing, and many other areas. The college provides high school concurrent enrollment opportunities to thousands of students each year through Suffolk’s Beacon program and on-campus early college classes. Designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution, Suffolk enrolls thousands of students in English Language Learning courses, and also serves more veterans and military-connected students than any other college in the SUNY system.

SUNY Suffolk is searching for a full-time (12-month), Director of New Student Advising and Testing, beginning immediately on the Ammerman Campus in Selden, NY.  Suffolk County Community College is an open admissions institution committed to serving a diverse student population in a variety of degree and career programs. 

The Director will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for new student advising, placement testing, and First Stop/Welcome Center services. Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive onboarding and advisement strategy designed to maximize student yield, support enrollment and persistence, and promote overall student success. Ensure a coordinated, student-centered approach to onboarding through effective advising, communication, and enrollment support services.

This is a Guild (Unit 4) position, and, as such, the salary and benefits for this position are determined according to the salary and benefits plan for the Guild of Administrative Officers. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Direct the daily operations of new student advising, placement testing, and First Stop/Welcome Center services.
• Develop, implement, and assess efficient in-person and virtual advising processes; monitor service delivery, responsiveness, and staff engagement. 
  Manage scheduling for full-time and adjunct counselors to ensure appropriate staffing coverage and continuity of student support services. 
  Supervise, train, and evaluate office staff, including adjunct counselors; conduct observations and performance evaluations to inform reappointment and promotion recommendations.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs to maximize shared resources and coordinate services supporting both new and continuing students.
• Design and deliver ongoing professional development and training for full-time and adjunct counselors; maintain and disseminate advising materials and resources.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance advising, testing, onboarding, and enrollment services with a focus on student retention and success.
• Utilize data analytics to evaluate the effectiveness of advisement and onboarding strategies; identify trends and implement targeted interventions for student populations demonstrating lower yield or engagement.
• Establish annual goals, oversee assessment activities, and prepare reports aligned with institutional priorities and enrollment objectives.
• Oversee data integrity and workflow management across advising and testing systems, including SLATE and SARS; ensure the effective use of communication technologies to support student outreach and engagement.
• Serve as administrator for placement testing operations; ensure compliance with vendor requirements and oversee test administration, staff training, and related processes.
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Admissions, Financial Aid, and the Registrar to support master scheduling, placement processes, automated communications, and coordinated enrollment initiatives across enrollment cycles.
• Develop and implement automated and personalized communication workflows, including email, text, and campaign outreach, to guide students through key enrollment milestones.
• Provide administrative oversight for the Counseling Center and Academic Advisement/Mentoring Center in the absence of the Assistant Dean of Students.

Requirements

Minimum

• Master’s Degree in Counseling, Higher Education or related field.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in higher education.
  One (1) year of supervisory experience.

Preferred

• Prior experience in a community college
• Familiarity with systems such as Slate, Banner, or similar platforms.