Director - McNair Scholars Program - E99790
Job Title
Director - McNair Scholars Program - E99790
Location
Cheney
FLSA Status
Exempt
Work Schedule Type
Regular
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm with occasional weekends, evenings, and special shifts
Term of Appointment
12 Months
Job Summary
Eastern Washington University is seeking applicants for our Director of McNair Scholars Program. Under the supervision of Academic Affairs leadership and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, the Director of McNair Scholars serves as the designated Principal Investigator (PI) and primary administrator for the federal grant portfolio and is responsible for all aspects of the daily operations of the Ronald E. McNair Program, including the design and delivery of services that ensure student retention and support graduate school readiness and enrollment among first-generation, low-income and underrepresented college students.
This comprehensive role will include project management and oversight, staff supervision, summer program coordination and instructional design, student counseling and graduate school coaching, data collection and records management and cultivating a network of faculty mentors and graduate school representatives. This position must abide by strict adherence to fiscal management requirements, data system security, compliance frameworks, and accreditation standards. The director will actively participate in the development of grant proposals (on a five-year cycle) and in the preparation of annual performance reports for the U.S. Department of Education and EWU.
The McNair Scholars Program director must possess the following attributes:
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team and the ability to make complex decisions with a high level of initiative and judgment in a variety of situations.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a proactive manner.
- This individual must maintain a broad network of internal working relationships and have up-to-date knowledge of university policies and procedures and federal, state and agency/sponsor regulations, laws and guidelines.
EWU is committed to supporting and promoting a workforce that is welcoming to all and encourages applicants of all backgrounds to apply for this position.
The salary for this position is $89,237 - $98,000. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills.
In addition to salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 13 paid holidays per year and fringe benefits, such as tuition waiver for employees and eligible family members, discounted EWU sports tickets, full access to our campus workout facilities at a minimum fee and free transportation through STA buses. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/benefits-briefing/benefits/insurance/
See Job Duties section for detailed description of the position's responsibilities.
Applications will be accepted until August 21, 2026; screening of applications will begin on August 17, 2026. Applications will be kept confidential, and references will not be contacted until candidates are notified.
About Eastern Washington University:
Eastern Washington University, a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students, is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. As the region's polytechnic, we are recognized for our distinctive approach to hands-on learning that leads to in-demand careers. EWU's 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Washington's second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the innovative, energy-efficient Catalyst building, the SIERR building which is a hub for research, development and advancement of health sciences. In addition, EWU programs can be found at select locations throughout the state, aligned with the needs of the community. Eastern contributes to the vitality of the region and the state through its wide array of bachelor's and master's degrees in over 100 fields of study, as well as applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership, offering accessible pathways to career success and personal development to students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
Eastern Washington University has been recognized for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a nationally trusted resource guide for college-bound students. The honor recognizes Eastern as a '26 -'27 College of Distinction (CoD), the second consecutive year it has received the national recognition.
Tribal Land Acknowledgement:
At Eastern Washington University, we are proud to recognize the land of the Spokane Tribe and other tribes that shared the land for fishing and trading. The Spokane Tribe, Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Kalispel Tribe, and the Nez Perce Tribe are integral to the cultural heritage and traditional ethnological knowledge of the land.
Native American heritage is woven into the fabric of our institution, enriching our community through tribal culture, historical teachings, and tribal language, and is embraced daily by students, staff, faculty, and the Eastern Washington community.
At EWU, we are committed to reflecting on and acknowledging the historical injustices of genocide and the forced removal of tribal peoples and all our relatives. EWU recognizes and honors tribal sovereignty and government to government relationships with tribes.
From here forward, EWU will remain committed to supporting, honoring, and recognizing the Native American community and the dynamic contributions that are shared with our university.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
EWU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws.
Conditions of Employment:
This position, during the course of university employment will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value, as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa currently. Sponsorship is not available for this position at this time.
All new employees must comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR before beginning work at EWU. Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.
This is an Administrative Exempt position and is covered by EWU Policy 406- 01, Exempt Employment.
After starting employment, employees will complete the required training via Canvas. The Office of Employee Belonging, Development, and Leadership will reach out to you concerning Workplace Belonging training and asynchronous New Employee Orientation.
Note: Interviews might be conducted via Zoom (camera must be enabled). If so, candidates must be able to demonstrate competence using Zoom and other technologies.
Physical Demands:
Contact Human Resources at jobs@ewu.edu to obtain a copy of the Essential Functions Analysis which will describe conditions of employment, such as physical demands.
Required Qualifications:
To be considered qualified for this position, you must meet the minimum qualifications defined below:
- Doctoral degree in higher education administration, student development, counseling, social work, or a STEM-related or Education-related field from an accredited college or university.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience in staff supervision, budget management, program development and evaluation, and reporting and compliance with federal regulations.
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience in collegiate teaching, administration, publication of research materials or working with federal TRIO programs, academic support programs or similar programs serving first-generation, under-resourced and/or underrepresented students.
- Knowledge of TRIO or other higher education academic programs and support services and effective practices supporting student retention and graduation.
- Experience planning, coordinating and implementing services for underrepresented college students.
- Demonstrated understanding and commitment to first-generation students and students from historically underrepresented groups in higher education.
- Demonstrated intentional commitment to diversity and inclusion through the vehicle of educational access, opportunity and best practices for target population. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience with academic, career and personal counseling/coaching, plus financial literacy.
- Ability to cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff and program partners/allies. Capacity to travel (air/land) by day, overnight and/or weekends as needed.
- Demonstrated high degree of interest, ability and/or experience promoting cultural competency, universal accessibility, and/or diversity.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Professional or personal experience in overcoming barriers like those confronting McNair-eligible students.
- Experience facilitating graduate school readiness workshops.
- Familiarity with the PhD application and enrollment process, including graduate admission essays.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
- It is strongly recommended that you print a copy of these instructions and the position posting before you begin to complete the online application, as the instructions will not be viewable once you begin the application process.
- Required documentation includes all of the items listed below.
- Attach a detailed cover letter in which you explain how you meet each of the required qualifications [and preferred qualifications, if applicable]. It is preferred that you provide the information in a bulleted list or as a table within your cover letter.
- Attach a chronological resume including work history and major duties, education, and any specialized training or skills related to the position. List at least 3 professional references including: names, titles, organization name, phone numbers, email addresses, and connection to you (these can be identical to the references listed on the application).
- Complete the online application form and respond to the online questions, if applicable.
- Mission Statement Response - EWU's mission is to provide an inclusive, equitable, and transformative learning experience, driving the pursuit of knowledge with affordable academic excellence. We are committed to serving first-generation, Pell-eligible students. How would you contribute to this mission?
- Please do not upload resumes that include photos of yourself.
Proposed Job Duties & Responsibilities
50% - Plan, develop and administer all aspects of the McNair Scholars program in accordance with the federal program regulations and university policy:
- Assist in planning, implementing, administering, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating the various specific activities, functions and services of the McNair Scholars Program, including operating policies and procedures.
- Participate in the development and modification of program goals, objectives, services, activities and policies, in accordance with student needs, institutional objectives and resources and funding agency requirements.
- Plan, develop and oversee the academic year and summer programs; work with faculty mentors to coordinate research projects and internships; provide support for faculty mentors; develop and conduct workshops; plan and participate in other program activities, including orientation, trips and special events; and serve as general liaison for summer programming.
- Play a significant advisory role in a variety of key research and planning tasks associated with the program, typically involving developing program goals and specific plans for implementing goals, writing grant proposals and similar planning and reporting work.
- Develop, manage and monitor grant budgets.
- Assist in identifying, recruiting and selecting eligible students for the program, including a coordinated outreach effort to faculty and other campus personnel for referrals.
- Monitor academic progress of students through regular contact with participants and faculty mentors, assessment tools and academic counseling.
- Assist with a variety of ongoing administrative tasks associated with program, such as designing and maintaining appropriate records systems and preparing reports on program activities and status for funding agency.
- Supervise designated staff within the program.
40% - Guide and mentor program participants in research activities and graduate school preparation:
- Recruit faculty mentors; find, match and monitor summer research and internship opportunities; implement summer activities, including campus visits, conferences and symposia. Coordinate on-campus research symposia and work closely with residence life staff and other campus offices to deliver services.
- Organize and supervise students on graduate school visits and relevant academic conferences.
- Provide graduate school advice and academic counseling for participants in the program.
- Provide assistance, counseling and guidance to participants throughout the graduate school application and financial aid application process.
10% - Serve as an ambassador and advocate for the McNair Scholars program, on campus and within the community:
- Compile and disseminate information to the public about program services. Write and edit various other educational and informational materials.
- Attend relevant local, regional and national professional meetings.
To apply, visit https://jobs.ewu.edu/jobs/director-mcnair-scholars-program-e99790-cheney-washington-united-states
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