Director of First Generation and Limited Income Services

Job Summary

The Director of First Generation and Limited Income Services will oversee the development of strategies across the University of Wisconsin-Madison to support first-generation and limited-income students. This role includes supervising a dedicated team of full-time staff focused on these initiatives. The director will act as a central convener, bringing together institutional resources, partnerships, and programs to enhance student success and foster a sense of belonging.

The director will guide the creation of cohort-based experiences, pre-arrival programs, mentorship models, peer networks, and initiatives that address the hidden curriculum. They will also serve as a referral resource, connecting students to relevant campus services and support systems. All efforts will be developed in close collaboration with academic departments and campus stakeholders to ensure holistic, responsive, and student-centered support throughout the student journey.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Directs strategic planning initiatives and establishes objectives to ensure appropriate use of financial, administrative and staffing resources, and alignment with the strategic plan
• Develop assessment strategies that consider campus-wide inventory of FGLI-related services, supports, and initiatives to identify gaps, reduce duplication, and promote visibility.
• Develops and audits the budget
• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
• Develops operating policies and procedures to comply with regulations, institutional policies, and objectives
• Shape institutional strategy for supporting first-generation and limited-income students by aligning departmental goals with broader university priorities related to access, retention, and student flourishing
• Serve as a strategic thought partner in institutional planning efforts related to access, retention, and student flourishing, ensuring FGLI perspectives are integrated into broader student success frameworks.
• Coordinate cross-functional working groups with academic departments, financial aid, advising, and student life to align institutional practices with the needs of FGLI students.
• Serves as the liaison by collaborating with internal and external stakeholder groups and providing organizational information