Position Summary

The Residential Education Office at San Diego State University invites dynamic, driven professionals to apply for the Associate Director of Residential Education for Academic Success, a pivotal leadership role shaping the academic journey of thousands of residential students. In this position, you won’t just oversee programs, you’ll ignite a culture of achievement across a vibrant residential community of 7,500–9,000 students. You’ll lead and mentor a talented team of advisors and student success professionals, drive innovative academic support initiatives, and help students navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

Why This Role Stands Out:

• Lead with purpose, supervising and developing a high-impact team dedicated to student retention and success

• Shape transformative learning environments through STAR Centers and tutoring programs that empower students academically

• Drive innovation by designing interventions for at-risk students and building forward-thinking academic success strategies

• Make real-time impact through crisis management, student advocacy, and community leadership

• Collaborate across campus with faculty, administrators, and student support services to create a seamless student experience

What You’ll Do:

• Inspire and supervise professional staff supporting academic advising and coordinated care

• Oversee academic resource centers and elevate tutoring and support services

• Develop and implement programs that boost retention, engagement, and academic performance

• Analyze student success data to inform strategy and close equity gaps

• Build strong partnerships across campus to expand opportunities for student growth

• Play a vital role in large-scale campus initiatives, events, and student experiences

The Impact You’ll Have:
You’ll help shape a residential experience where students are supported holistically as scholars, citizens, and leaders. Your work will directly influence student persistence, belonging, and long-term success, while advancing a culture rooted in equity, inclusion, and excellence.

As part of the California State University (CSU) system, San Diego State University helps power one of the largest and most impactful public university systems in the nation. See what it’s like to work at the CSU—watch our video and imagine your future here: Working at the CSU.

Position Information

• This is a full-time, at-will role, offering comprehensive benefits. 

• Position is designated exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation. 

• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; however, due to the nature of the role, evening and weekend hours are often required. The position also participates in an on-call rotation, typically one week at a time, several times per year. During on-call periods, the incumbent is expected to remain reachable and be prepared to respond to campus needs, including reporting to campus within a reasonable timeframe, generally within two (2) hours, when circumstances require. 

• The individual hired for this role will work on the SDSU campus in San Diego.

Department Summary

Residential Education is where vibrant communities come to life, places where students don’t just live but thrive. We are dedicated to creating safe, inclusive environments that empower students to grow as scholars, engaged citizens, and future leaders. Through dynamic curricular and co-curricular experiences, our staff spark academic success, inspire civic responsibility, and celebrate the richness of diverse perspectives.

At the heart of our work is a commitment to excellence, integrity, collaboration, and student-centered innovation. We continuously evolve to meet the needs of our diverse student population, ensuring every resident feels seen, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential.

Our impact is powered by an incredible team: 19 Residence Hall Coordinators, 12 general advisors/retention specialists, 231 paraprofessional staff members, 18 central office professionals, and a network of dedicated student assistants—all working together to shape meaningful residential experiences.

For more information regarding Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, click here.

For more information regarding Residential Education, click here.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Counseling, College Student Personnel, or a related field

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in an academic advising environment.

Key Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead, supervise, and develop professional staff, including coaching, evaluation, and performance management. 

• Strong expertise in student success, retention strategies, and advising, with the ability to support students holistically. 

• Demonstrated skill in managing complex and high-pressure situations, including crisis response and student behavioral concerns.

• Ability to build collaborative relationships across campus with faculty, staff, and student support services.

• Experience using data and assessment to inform decisions, evaluate programs, and improve student outcomes.

• Strong ability to design and implement impactful programs and initiatives that enhance academic success and engagement.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and supporting diverse student populations.

• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work additional hours as needed, including evenings and weekends, to meet the demands of the role. 

Compensation and Benefits

At San Diego State University, we value our team members and offer a competitive salary that reflects your qualifications and experience. But that’s just the beginning! Our exceptional benefits package is designed to support your well-being and work-life balance:

• Generous Leave Benefits: Enjoy 15 paid holidays, 24 vacation days, and 12 sick days per year.

• Retirement Security: Benefit from a CalPERS defined benefit pension plan, with reciprocity with the UC Retirement Plan, plus retiree healthcare benefits.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access a variety of health, dental, and vision plans at no or low cost to you.

• Educational Opportunities: Take advantage of the California State University system fee reduction program for yourself or a qualified dependent.

• Voluntary Benefits: Opt into additional benefits like Auto & Home Insurance, Life and Disability Insurances, a Legal Plan, Pet Insurance, and the ScholarShare 529 Plan for college savings.

The expected hiring salary for this position ranges from $80,000 to $83,460 annually.

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. 

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by May 25, 2026, to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended.  Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Casie Martinez at cmartinez12@sdsu.edu.