Assistant Director of Student Success - Arkansas Connections Academy

School Summary

Arkansas Connections Academy (ARCA) is a tuition-free, virtual public charter school serving students in grades K-12 statewide. ARCA is authorized by the Arkansas Charter Authorizing Panel and the State Board of Education and is governed by an independent Board of Directors. The school contracts with Connections Education to provide its educational program and other services. ARCA is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, the Northwest Accreditation Commission, and the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), which are accrediting divisions of Cognia.

Arkansas Connections Academy strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

Working remotely from your home office, the Assistant Director of Student Success will support the Director of Student Success in developing and implementing a comprehensive Student Success Program that promotes academic achievement, personal development, and future-readiness for all students. A key focus of this role will be career coaching, including the oversight and coordination of career pathways, diploma planning, and early college credit programs such as concurrent enrollment and dual credit opportunities. The Assistant Director will also support in managing daily operations of the Student Success Team, supervise staff, and lead initiatives that support student engagement, graduation readiness, and college and career transitions.

The job responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the implementation and monitoring of individualized Career Pathway Plans aligned to student interests and regional workforce demands.
• Guide students and families in understanding diploma options, including monitoring and support of students working towards diplomas of merit or distinction.
• Coordinate student enrollment in concurrent credit and dual enrollment programs, working in collaboration with local colleges, technical centers, and community partners.
• Ensure students are scheduled appropriately to meet pathway and diploma requirements and receive credit for completed college-level coursework.
• Monitor student progress in career-aligned pathways and ensure documentation is current within Student Success Plans and four-year graduation plans.
• Provide training and support to staff on career advising, pathway structures, and college and career readiness standards.
• Assist with the development of college and career readiness resources, including virtual workshops, post-secondary planning guides, and ACT prep tools.
• Supervise a designated team of Student Success Coaches and Counselors, conducting bi-weekly check-ins, providing feedback, and ensuring performance targets are met.
• Support the Director in planning and delivering ongoing professional development and strategic initiatives that advance student success outcomes.
• Collaborate on initiatives to promote college and career readiness.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Required Licensure: Arkansas Teaching, Counseling, or Administrative License
• Advanced degree in Counseling, Education, or Educational Leadership
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a school leadership, academic advising, or student support role
• Strong knowledge of diploma pathways, career coaching frameworks, and early college credit systems preferred
• Supervisory or team leadership experience strongly preferred
• Willingness to travel for school events and state testing (includes occasional overnight travel)
• Ability to work some evening hours to support families and students

Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of career and college readiness standards, workforce development, and advising best practices
• Ability to design and implement career coaching frameworks and track student progress through academic and career pathways
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and team supervision skills
• Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office products and Google Suite)
• Strong organizational skills and data-driven decision-making abilities
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver student and staff-facing resources and training
• High degree of flexibility, initiative, and professionalism