Assistant Director of College Success (Leadership, Family and Alumni Engagement)

Department: University Life

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax

Telework Friendly: Yes

Salary: Starting in the low $60k's; salary commensurate with education and experience.

About the Department:

EIP encourages first-generation college bound students to enroll in college and succeed once admitted. By providing academic, career, and personal/social resources, EIP promotes life-long learning through value in education, respect, ethics, leadership, and advocacy.

About the Position:

Employing an anti-deficit approach to working with First-Generation College Bound students, the Assistant Director for College Success (ADCS) plays a pivotal role in ensuring students and their families are ready and prepared to successfully traverse secondary school and transition to a post-secondary institution. The ADCS is a thought partner to the Director, Associate Director, and program staff to help provide strategies for the implementation of best practices in support of first-generation college bound students throughout the region. The ADCS manages EIP’s leadership and family engagement programs, alumni outreach efforts. Additionally, the ADCS co-manages programmatic efforts that support the academic success of program participants and acts as a liaison to EIP’s public school and campus-based partners to ensure the administration of school-based programs are seamless, safe, and impactful.

The ADCS is required to work some evenings and weekends and facilitate site visits and school-based visits (when necessary).

Responsibilities:

• Co-manages, provides strategy, assesses, and facilitates the Academic Mentoring Program (AMP) for over 750 public school middle and high school students throughout the region;
• Provides direct oversight for all AMP activities at Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS), and Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS);
• Recruit, train, and evaluate Academic Mentors and community volunteers who provide academic, college/career, and personal support to program participants and assist in site coordination;
• Works with the Associate Director and Assistant Director for College Success-College Readiness to design, execute, and assess College and Career Readiness (CCR) programming for 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders; including workshops focusing on leadership development, standardized test-preparation, college planning, and soft skill development for program participants;
• Provides academic, career, and personal support to EIP alumni transitioning to and studying at George Mason University, including serving as an instructor for the university transition course, connecting alumni to campus-based resources, and the provision of programming to help facilitate belonging;
• Coordinates and tracks the annual completion of service hours for EIP Scholarship recipients;
• Liaises with the EIP Alumni Association and provides logistical support for meetings and events;
• Provides leadership to EIP’s family engagement initiatives, including the planning and execution of Family Informational Sessions (Parent Meetings), and Family Academy;
• Facilitates the hiring and supervision of facilitators and secures guest speakers when appropriate to help facilitate seminars;
• Engages in deep thought and application of best practices to support EIP students and families in their pursuit of a post-secondary education, including researching and implementing best practices, along with assessing ang measuring the impact of programs to ensure effectiveness and relevance; and
• Provides leadership for leadership programs within EIP, such as The First2Lead Conference and Youth Research Council. Works with university and community partners to plan and execute EIP’s leadership conference, including working with university partners such as Center for Well-Being, LEAD office, Office of Undergraduate Civic Engagement, Honors College, Student Success Coaches, and others to provide seminars that aid in the leadership development of first-generation college bound program participants.

Required Qualifications:

• A master's degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experiencing working with students enrolled in K-12 schools in an area of counseling, education, or social work;
• Experience serving and supporting diverse student populations;
• Experience in supervising a diverse staff;
• Knowledge of higher education, college access and student service functions;
• Knowledge of national and state educational trends impacting first generation college bound middle school and high school students;
• Understanding of college and career readiness trends;
• Knowledge of STEM programming and skill readiness;
• Excellent presentation skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service for students and families;
• Ability to think strategically, plan, and manage time efficiently;
• Ability to develop and assess learning outcomes and programs;
• Ability to work with diverse constituents; and
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with college access and preparation programs;
• Ability to work and collaborate cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment with a broad range of internal and external constituents including students, employers, alumni, faculty, and staff;
• Demonstrated ability to self-motivate and strong follow-through;
• Ability to engage in critical thought processes and problem solve; and
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Assistant Director of College Success (Leadership, Family and Alumni Engagement) at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and provide a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

Posting Open Date: November 1, 2023

For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 15, 2023

Open Until Filled?:  Yes