"Director, First-Generation Student Success"

Job Details

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Director, First-Generation Student Success

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of the THR1VE Center provides strategic leadership, vision, and oversight for institutional initiatives that support first-generation college students and foster a campus-wide culture of belonging. The Director is responsible for designing, implementing, and assessing holistic student success programs that advance persistence, retention, graduation, and post-graduation outcomes for first-generation and historically underserved students.

The Director serves as a campus leader and advocate, working collaboratively across academic and co-curricular units to embed belonging, equity, and student success practices throughout the institution. This role supervises professional and student staff, manages budgets and external funding.

The Director of the THR1VE Center will lead efforts to graduate students who have explored and can articulate their own identities, are prepared to engage difference, and who are prepared to lead in an increasingly interconnected and complex world. Building community, empowering students, equipping faculty and staff, and driving collaboration, the Director of the THR1VE Center fosters an inclusive living and learning community characterized by equal student satisfaction, persistence and success across all student populations.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

• Master’s degree required in Higher Education, Student Development, Women and Gender Studies, Africana Studies, Queer/LBGTQ Studies or related area
• Preference for Doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration/Leadership, Student Development, Women and Gender Studies, Africana Studies, Queer/LBGTQ Studies or related area
• 3-5 years of experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Supervisory responsibilities: Supervises work of others, including planning, assigning, scheduling and reviewing work, ensuring quality standards. Is responsible for hiring, terminating, training and developing, reviewing performance and administering corrective action for staff. Plans organizational structure and job content.
• Fiscal responsibility: Establish and plan the following budgets totaling approximately $300,000: THR1VE Center, First Steps, Smooth Transitions, Arrupe Scholars and Advocacy and Prevention Coordinator
• Depth of knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of theories, concepts and practices and ability to use in complex, difficult and/or unprecedented situations.
• Advanced communication (written and verbal) skills and analytical skills
• Intermediate project/process management skills, office/administrative support skills, and leadership skills
• Internal and external interaction/collaboration of the following:
  • Exchange of routine, factual information and/or answering routing questions
  • Identify needs/concerns of others, determine potential solutions, resolve and redirect appropriately
  • Persuade, gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas or collaborate on significant projects
  • Develop and maintain relationships to enhance work flow and work quality
  • Access to an/or works with sensitive and/or confidential information
  • Handle sensitive issues and facilitate collaboration at the highest level
  • Exchange of detailed information or resolve varied problems
  • Resolve conflict, negotiate or collaborate on major projects
  • Access to an/or works with sensitive and/or confidential information
  • Handle sensitive issues and facilitate collaboration at the highest level
• Decision making: Decisions have major implications on the management and operations of an area within a department. Job may contribute to important strategy, operational and business decisions that affect the department.
• Nature of problems: Problems are highly varied, complex and often non-recurring; require novel and creative approaches to resolution. New concepts and approaches may have to be developed.
• Degree of independence of action: Results are defined and existing practices are used as guidelines to determine specific work methods and carries out work activities independently; supervisor/manager is available to resolve problems.

HOW TO APPLY:

To ensure consideration, qualified/interested applicants must submit a resume on Xavier University's website. Review of applications will start on 2/2/2026 and will be accepted until 3/9/2026.

Candidates selected for the final stages of the interview process will be asked to provide the names and contact information of three professional references.

Benefits - applies only to full-time positions:

Xavier University offers a wide array of complementary and affordable benefit options to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and employment class:

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage.
• Tax advantaged accounts including health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, and dependent care account.
• Financial security via life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans.
• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave and holidays.
• Tuition remission for employees and their eligible dependents.