Search Commences for Faculty Director of UAC
Dear Faculty Members,
I am writing to ask for your help in identifying suitable candidates for the new Faculty Director of the Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC).
As you may know, I recently made changes to the UAC leadership structure as one part of a plan to strengthen connections with academic departments and increase faculty leadership and engagement in undergraduate advising. As part of this re-organization, the new role of faculty director was created to chart the UAC’s strategic path and guide the direction of undergraduate advising across the Institute.
I am personally serving as faculty director in an interim capacity until the search committee concludes their charge. The Committee is composed of faculty, students, and staff, and led by Denny Freeman, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Kristin McCoy, GUE’s Director of Human Resources.
I am seeking someone with a dedication to advising undergraduate students within a major, strong strategic and organizational skills, and experience working collaboratively with faculty governance on Institute-wide priorities.
Day-to-day, the Faculty Director will supervise the UAC’s senior leadership team, including all four associate deans. They will partner with Chelsea Longin, the UAC’s fantastic new managing director, who is responsible for overseeing the implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of the UAC through effective management of staff, programs, and resources.
A full description of the role and requirements is below my signature.
Please send your suggested candidates (including self-nominations) to the search committee directors (UAC-search@mit.edu) by Wednesday, February 18.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Dave
David L. Darmofal
Vice Chancellor for Graduate and Undergraduate Education and Jerome B. Wiesner Professor
Position Title: Faculty Director, UAC
Reports to: Vice Chancellor for Graduate and Undergraduate Education
Appointment: Continues to reside in academic department as a MIT Faculty member
Position Overview
The Faculty Director of the Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC) provides academic and strategic leadership for MIT’s undergraduate advising ecosystem. Working in close partnership with the Managing Director and UAC Leadership, the Faculty Director shapes the vision of and strategy for the Institute’s holistic advising model—one that empowers every undergraduate student to thrive academically, personally, and professionally from matriculation through graduation.
The Faculty Director serves as the primary faculty advocate for undergraduate advising at MIT, representing the faculty and departmental perspective in institutional planning and governance with respect to advising, advancing advising excellence across departments and programs, and ensuring that UAC’s work reflects MIT’s commitment to the whole student experience. The Faculty Director plays a central role in bridging the academic and administrative dimensions of student support, helping to align advising with MIT’s educational mission and culture.
The Faculty Director leads the Undergraduate Advising Center with support from the Managing Director, ensuring that advising at MIT reflects both academic excellence and operational effectiveness. The Faculty Director sets the vision and represents the faculty perspective in strategic and academic matters, while the Managing Director oversees the implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of that vision through effective management of staff, programs, and resources. Together, they ensure that MIT’s advising ecosystem supports every student’s success and well-being.
About the Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC)
Vision: To provide a transformative advising experience that empowers all undergraduate students to excel, grow, and thrive throughout their academic journey at MIT and beyond.
Mission: The Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC) team strives to help every undergraduate student at MIT reach their full potential with individualized, holistic advising from matriculation to graduation.
At the UAC, we recognize that every student is unique and has different goals, interests, and challenges. Taking into account students’ diverse academic, personal, and career aspirations, we aim to create a safe and inclusive space where students can openly express concerns, ask questions, and explore opportunities. Whether a student needs assistance selecting courses, exploring experiential learning opportunities, or finding co/extra-curricular activities, we connect students with the appropriate resources they need to accomplish their goals.
Our UAC Advisors, equipped with advising expertise and a passion for student success, are dedicated to building and fostering strong student-advisor relationships. The UAC staff serve as mentors, advocates, and navigators, tailoring their support to meet the needs of individual students. In collaboration with faculty, academic departments, and campus partners, we work with students to develop comprehensive success plans that align with their interests and values. Our holistic approach extends beyond academics, recognizing the importance of students’ overall well-being. We aim to foster resilience, adaptability, and personal growth in our students, equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of MIT and the world beyond.
The UAC is currently organized into three focused sub-units, with overarching support provided by the Administration & Communication team, led by the Managing Director. All functions and professional staff support advising caseloads through relationship building, collaboration, and student-centered approaches.
Office of the First Year (OFY): FY advising and direct cohort programming, Choice of Major Programs, Committee on Academic Performance (CAP), Orientation, First Year Pre-Orientation Programs (FPOPs), transfer student success, and FY peer advising & mentoring (Associate Advisor program)
Academic Achievement: Student success software, streamlined tutoring, proactive support, departmental advisor engagement
Office of Academic Community, Empowerment, and Success (OACES): First Generation and/or Low-Income (FLI), underrepresented minority (URM), and historically underserved advising and programming
Administration & Communication: Assessment, communications, and upper-level student advising to complement departmental advising
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership
Serve as a thought leader and advocate for holistic advising, ensuring integration of academic, personal, and career development in UAC’s programs.
Articulate, implement, and continually refine the strategic vision for undergraduate advising at MIT, including organizational design and assessment of the overall impact of the UAC, with partnership from the Managing Director.
Advise the Vice Chancellor for Graduate and Undergraduate Education and other senior leaders on advising strategy, policy, and long-term institutional priorities.
Institute Engagement and Internal Communication
Act as the primary faculty liaison with academic departments, schools, and other offices to strengthen advising structures, promote collaboration and coordination between the UAC and departments, and increase understanding of advising best practices across MIT.
Partner with the Managing Director to communicate the UAC’s goals, accomplishments, and needs, and to promote awareness of advising resources and programs to students, staff, faculty, and academic departments.
Represent the UAC and its advising mission to relevant Institute-level committees (e.g., Committee on the Undergraduate Program, Committee on Academic Performance, Committee on the Curriculum) and other faculty governance bodies, as appropriate.
Program and Staff Oversight
Provide academic leadership and oversight to the UAC’s major programmatic areas, including first-year advising, academic achievement, and academic community engagement.
Develop the UAC operating budget as part of the annual GUE budget process, with the assistance of the Managing Director and Associate Deans. Provide oversight to ensure careful management of the UAC’s operating budget.
Supervise the UAC’s senior leadership team—including the Managing Director and Associate Deans—ensuring alignment of strategy, program delivery, and assessment.
Participate in the evaluation and professional development of UAC staff, and support a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
Manage an advising caseload of undergraduate students.
Fundraising and Alumni Engagement
Collaborate with the Vice Chancellor, Managing Director, Resource Development, and MIT Alumni Association to identify and cultivate fundraising opportunities that strengthen advising programs and student support initiatives.
Develop and steward a strategy for alumni and donor engagement in the UAC’s mission, highlighting the impact of advising on the undergraduate experience and student success.
External Communication and Cross-Institutional Engagement
Represent the UAC and MIT’s advising model in national and international higher education networks and conferences.
Participate in external partnerships, conferences, and collaborations that advance advising innovation and student development.
Qualifications
Tenured MIT faculty member with a demonstrated record of excellence in teaching, advising, and mentoring undergraduate students.
Proven leadership in academic administration, faculty governance, or institutional service.
Strong commitment to student well-being and student success.
Demonstrated success in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and collaboration across units.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
Appointment Details
Anticipated Effort (negotiable): 50% academic year appointment plus one summer month
Term: Five year (less is negotiable) renewable term
Reporting: Reports to the Vice Chancellor for Graduate and Undergraduate Education
Supervision: Provides direct supervision to the UAC Managing Director and senior UAC staff (~4 direct reports); indirect supervision of all UAC staff members (~30 total staff)
0.5 month administrative salary supplement