Director of Pre-Major Advising Resource Center (CASPAR)
The Director of the College of Arts and Science Pre-Major Advising Resource (CASPAR) Center will provide programmatic support for undergraduate advising and supervision to CASPAR advisers, who help students adapt to Vanderbilt’s College of Arts and Science (A&S) academic expectations and requirements. A key role of CASPAR and its advisers is to assist first-year and transfer students in efficiently completing the A&S liberal arts core and to chart courses of study appropriate to students’ interests, abilities, and goals that lead to the declaration of a major by the end of their sophomore year. The Director will also be involved in actively advising students.
Another important role of the Director is to oversee the efforts of CASPAR to assist with Immersion Vanderbilt (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/immersion/). This initiative calls for each undergraduate student to participate in an intensive learning experience that takes place in and beyond the classroom and culminates in the creation of a final project. Immersion Vanderbilt requires the campus-wide involvement of all ten schools and colleges and A&S pre-major advising must be an active partner in preparing students for Immersion Vanderbilt.
Within A&S, the Director of CASPAR will work closely with the Faculty Director for Immersion as well as Immersion coordinators who have been assigned to guide undergraduates through the Immersion process. Additionally, the Director will ensure that pre-major advising coheres with the programming of the Office of Immersion Resources (OIR), which ensures that students and faculty have the necessary resources for Immersion Vanderbilt. The Director of CASPAR will serve as a point of contact for campus partners and collaborate with OIR, the Career Center, the Global Education Office (GEO), faculty, colleges/schools, staff, and on- and off-campus programs to support pre-major advising. This position has supervisory responsibility over CASPAR advisers; the position reports administratively and functionally to the A&S Dean for Undergraduate Education.
Welcome to CASPAR, the College of Arts and Science’s pre-major academic advising unit. Unique to the College of Arts and Science, each CASPAR adviser is a Vanderbilt faculty member who teaches a First- Year Writing Seminar in his or her home department in addition to advising pre-major students. Click on the links below to learn more about us and our approaches to academic advising. We look forward to working with you!
Key Functions and Expected Performance
- Supervises, evaluates, hires, and trains all pre-major advising staff.
- Determines key duties of staff to ensure clear understanding of responsibilities.
- Ensure all those affiliated with the program are trained, updated, and knowledgeable about their area of activity.
- Conducts office hours and advises undergraduate students.
- Assists with advising undergraduate students in beginning to draft Immersion Vanderbilt plans.
- Conducts workshops across A&S.
- Facilitates changes as necessary to maintain continuous advising quality to ensure best practices are being implemented, documented, and adjusted based on process analysis.
- Develop and maintain relationships with all departments and programs in A&S, with A&S faculty, Chairs, Program Directors, and Directors of Undergraduate Study.
- Works closely with campus partners such as the A&S Faculty Director of Immersion, the Career Center, GEO, and OIR.
- Develop innovative strategies for programs and presentations to students, faculty, and departments.
- Oversee the communication plan for services.
- Plans and develops programs and related events to communicate established goals, objectives and timelines of CASPAR.
- Tracks student success stories and assist with crafting communications.
- Collates data to produce reports and regular updates in support of the program.
- Other duties as assigned.
Profile of an Ideal Candidate
- A Master’s Degree and five years of relevant experience in an academic setting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is necessary.
- At least one earned degree in one of the disciplines in the 3 divisions(e.g., Humanities, Social Science, Natural Science) of the College of Arts and Science is necessary.
- A terminal advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.
- Experience managing a program for academic advising, career services, or a consulting capacity in a higher education environment is necessary.
- Exceptional written communication, data management and interpersonal skills are necessary.
- Ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously, including meeting deadlines established by external agencies is necessary.
- Flexibility and organizational skills. Able to manage multiple complex tasks, meet deadlines, set priorities, and work both independently and with a team.
- Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills.
- Strong commitment to ethics, and the ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in dealing with sensitive material.
About Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt is a renowned private institution founded in 1873 and located in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee. The university’s students, faculty, and frequently cite Nashville and the surrounding area as one of the many perks of being a part of Vanderbilt community. Vanderbilt University is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. It is a place where your diversity is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt was recently ranked #1 in the Princeton Review among 382 top colleges and universities for “happiest students” - as well as #2 for “best quality of life” and “great financial aid,” #5 for “best run colleges” and “beautiful campus,” and #6 for both being in a “college city that students love” and having “great campus/city relations.”
Vanderbilt Benefits
In addition to offering a lively community that encourages learning and celebrates diversity, Vanderbilt University offers a competitive, flexible benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, accidental death & dismemberment, disability insurance, paid time off, and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match. Vanderbilt offers tuition assistance to employees, spouses and dependent children. Also, after five years of service, Vanderbilt will pay up to 55% of the tuition for up to three dependent children to earn a bachelor's degree. Learn more about Vanderbilt's benefits at VU Benefits Overview.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Vanderbilt University is committed to achieving the goal of a diverse and inclusive academic community of faculty, staff, and students. We seek individuals who are committed to this goal and our campus values.
Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.