"Director of EXCEL"

About the Position

Please Note: Review of applications will begin on September 2, 2025.

EXCEL, a U.S. Department of Education Student Support Services Program, is a federal grant that provides low income, first generation college and disabled undergraduates with supportive academic services including academic advising, career and goal planning, multi-subject tutoring, scholarship guidance, graduate school advising, personal counseling and guidance on determining learning style and balancing academic and personal responsibilities. Under the general supervision of the Director of EOP, RSP and SEAS Affinity Programs, the Director of EXCEL assumes administrative responsibility for the EXCEL program. The Director is primarily responsible for all facets of design, implementation, administration, strategic planning and evaluation of the program services in compliance with federal and state legislation and regulations. The Director will coordinate the daily operations and related support services; oversee grants documentation, tracking and reporting; apply for renewal of funding; develop, implement and evaluate program goals and performance objectives; analyze, manage and track budget expenditures and balances, and prepare budget reports.

Responsibilities

Administration & Management

• In consultation with the Director of EOP, RSP and SEAS Affinity Programs, create and periodically revise the strategic plan, consisting of the program vision, mission, goals, and values.
• Ensure compliance with TRIO legislation, OMB-Circulars, EDGAR and other disadvantaged student populations.
• Serve as a liaison with external funding agencies.
• Research, apply for and obtain/renew external resources of funding to sustain long-term service delivery.
• Work with the Director of EOP, RSP and SEAS Affinity Programs to establish department priorities for program services.
• Carry out responsibilities in accordance with the University policies and applicable laws.
• Represent the programs at various on and off-campus committees, events, and functions.
• Maintain a strong network of contacts with academic departments and student services.
• Establish collaborative relationships with federal/state agencies and community organizations to facilitate student access to external resources.
• Establish procedures for the collection and analysis of evaluation data pertaining to EXCEL programs.
• Conduct regular assessments of student satisfaction and academic performance.
• Oversee the maintenance of homepages, web-based applications, and Internet resource links.
• Apply guidelines to student requests for consideration of service eligibility.
• Maintain databases/records of all students served.
• Prepare and submit written quarterly, semi-annual, and annual program reports as required.
• Prepare and submit the Annual Performance Report (APR) in compliance with U.S. Department of Education guidelines for federal reporting purposes.
• Coordinate grant development and fundraising initiatives to strengthen and expand the reach and impact of the EXCEL program.
• Meet with students requesting clarification or consideration of service eligibility.
• Lead various student workshops (e.g. scholarships).
• Meet with students on one-on-one basis to address concerns or matters regarding EXCEL.

Supervision

• Supervises and evaluates EXCEL Counselors, the office manager, and program services that support student retention and persistence-including workshops, academic advising, tutoring, and mentoring programs.
• Create, prepare and revise job descriptions for new and existing staff members as appropriate and obtain the necessary approvals from Human Resources.
• In consultation with Human Resources, oversee all EXCEL recruitment, selection, and hiring of new employees.
• Provide ongoing supervision of professional, technical, and administrative support staff.
• Conduct annual performance reviews and, in consultation with Human Resources, make recommendations for appropriate personnel actions.
• Provide training and professional development opportunities for staff.
• Conduct regularly scheduled staff meetings of all full time staff.
• Periodically review major office procedures and practices.

Fiscal Management

• Develops and reports program budget for EXCEL in collaboration with supervisor. Ensures adherence to Student Equity and Success, Student Affairs, Advancement, and ORSP budget development, planning, implementation and timeline requests.
• Coordinate and complete all requirements for programmatic and budgetary requirements continually monitor service components throughout the year.
• Manage and track the allocated fund accounts for EXCEL as needed (with PI consultation and approval).

Community Engagement

• Develops and coordinates EXCEL services and partnership involvement with culturally diverse community organizations that serve communities with high EXCEL eligible student and parent populations. Serves as a member of the Student Equity and Success leadership team, assisting in the implementation of strategic initiatives and goals to support student access and success.
• In addition, the Director provides information about Student Equity and Success and CSUEB programs that provide support and access to community members. Establish collaborative relationships with federal/state agencies and community organizations to facilitate student access to external resources.

Campus Engagement

• Serves on committees across campus.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree (although a Masters degree in a related field is preferred).
• 2 years of progressively responsible management experience which includes supervising professional staff.

Required Qualifications

• Management knowledge and skills in the development, implementation, and evaluation of staff and support programs.
• Familiarity with OBM-Circulars, EDGAR and other federal regulations pertaining to Institutions of Higher Education.
• Experience in working with TRIO and federally funded programs for low income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities.
• Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate educational programs.
• Knowledge of various learning styles as well as cultural identities and differences.
• Ability to understand the academic year and processing cycles that affect workflow of the department and various advising centers.
• Ability to review and verify complex records and detailed information for compliance with CSU requirements, Federal and State guidelines and interpret information from a variety of institutions.
• Ability to determine proper techniques and actions to utilize while engaged with individuals behaving in argumentative or sensitive manner. Must be solution-oriented.
• Ability to oversee projects and provide guidance and direction for the work of others.
• Ability to build, manage, and report a budget.
• Knowledge and skills in working with students from diverse ethnic, socioeconomic and educational backgrounds.
• Proven ability to direct training programs for professional and student staff.
• Ability to write and secure grants and other external funding opportunities.
• Skills in partnering with high schools, community colleges or other external agencies.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends when needed.