Director of New Student Orientation & Special Programs

Develop a comprehensive orientation model that aligns with TSU enrollment goals, academic priorities, student-success initiatives, and the needs of a diverse urban student population.

Establish program learning outcomes and ensure orientation content supports academic readiness, financial preparedness, campus engagement, safety, wellness, belonging, and persistence.

Coordinate orientation calendars, registration processes, schedules, facilities, communications, meals, transportation, accessibility, emergency planning, and other program logistics.

Develop and maintain in-person, virtual, and online orientation resources, publications, presentations, checklists, and student/family communications.

Partner with academic colleges and advising units to integrate academic advising, course registration, degree planning, and college-specific engagement into the orientation experience.

Support New Student Convocation, Welcome Week, and other transition programs that connect new students to TSU traditions, resources, and expectations.

Student Leadership and Supervision (20%)

• Recruit, select, train, supervise, mentor, schedule, and evaluate Orientation Leaders and other student staff who support orientation and special programs.
• Design a comprehensive student-leader training curriculum focused on customer service, leadership, communication, campus resources, inclusion, crisis response, confidentiality, and professional conduct.
• Supervise assigned professional and administrative staff, including participation in hiring, onboarding, goal setting, performance evaluation, coaching, and corrective action consistent with university policy.
• Cultivate an accountable, collaborative, student-centered team culture that reflects TSU’s values and commitment to excellence.

Special Programs and Enrollment Support (15%)

• Plan and execute admitted-student programs, transfer student events, open houses, information sessions, campus visits, receptions, and other enrollment-related special programs as assigned.
• Collaborate with Admissions, Recruitment, Transfer Admissions and Services, Financial Aid, the Registrar, Student Accounting, Housing, Academic Advising, Student Affairs, Information Technology, campus safety, and academic colleges to provide coordinated service to students and families.
• Use technology, social media, and targeted communications to increase program registration, attendance, engagement, and completion of enrollment requirements.
• Ensure special programs are inclusive, accessible, culturally responsive, and appropriate for first-time freshmen, transfer students, adult learners, veterans, international students, students with disabilities, and families.

Administration, Budget, Compliance, and Assessment (15%)

• Develop, administer, and monitor the unit budget; reconcile expenditures; maintain appropriate records; ensure responsible stewardship of university resources.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, purchasing, facility reservations, insurance requirements, copyright and licensing obligations, and other administrative processes in accordance with TSU policies.
• Develop annual operating plans, program timelines, training manuals, standard operating procedures, and after-action reports.
• Collect and analyze registration, attendance, satisfaction, learning-outcome, yield, and persistence data; use findings to improve program design and resource allocation.
• Prepare regular reports, presentations, and recommendations for divisional and University leadership.
• Ensure compliance with applicable University policies and federal and state requirements, including FERPA, accessibility standards, records management, risk management, and student safety protocols.

Campus and Community Partnerships (5%)

• Build effective partnerships across academic and administrative units to create a seamless transition experience for new students and families.
• Serve on University committees, task forces, and community partnerships as assigned, and represent Strategic Enrollment Services at campus programs and external events.
• Perform other duties consistent with the scope and purpose of the position.

% FTE

1.0

Hiring Range
$87,339.81 - $111,358.25

Education

Master’s degree in higher education administration, college student personnel, student affairs, enrollment management, counseling, education, or a closely related field.

Required Licensing/Certification

N/A

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to provide strategic direction while managing detailed program operations, competing priorities, and firm deadlines.
• Ability to lead through collaboration and influence across organizational lines.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, manage risk, and respond calmly to complex or time-sensitive situations.
• Ability to analyze data, communicate findings, and implement evidence-based improvements.
• Ability to deliver excellent service and communicate effectively with students, families, faculty, staff, senior leaders, and external partners.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours during peak orientation and special-program periods, with occasional travel as required.

Work Experience

Required:

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in new student orientation, student transition programs, enrollment management, student affairs, student success, or a related higher education area.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience with professional staff, graduate assistants, and/or student employees.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing large-scale programs or events involving multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving diverse student populations and creating inclusive, accessible, student-centered experiences.
• Strong written, oral, interpersonal, organizational, and project-management skills.
• Ability to maintain the security or integrity of critical infrastructure, which may include communications systems, computer networks and systems, cybersecurity systems, electrical grid, hazardous waste treatment or water treatment system.

Preferred:

• Experience leading orientation or transition programs at an urban public university, minority-serving institution, or Historically Black College or University.
• Experience supporting first-time freshmen, transfer students, families, adult learners, veterans, international students, and other new student populations.
• Experience with student information systems, customer relationship management platforms, event-registration systems, virtual orientation tools, survey platforms, and data dashboards.
• Experience with assessment, learning outcomes, program evaluation, budget administration, contracting, and vendor management.
• Knowledge of enrollment yield strategies, student development theory, retention practices, and emerging trends in orientation and transition programs.

Working/Environmental Conditions
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
The position requires regular use of a computer and standard office equipment and may require prolonged periods of standing or walking during programs and events. The employee must be able to move program materials and equipment consistent with university guidelines. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Desired start date

Position End Date (if temporary)

Posting Detail Information

UA EEO Statement

It is the policy of Texas Southern University to provide a work environment that is free from discrimination for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, individuals with disability, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its programs, activities, admissions or employment policies. This policy of equal opportunity is strictly observed in all University employment-related activities such as advertising, recruiting, interviewing, testing, employment training, compensation, promotion, termination, and employment benefits. This policy expressly prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, genetic history, national origin, individuals with disability, age, citizenship status, or protected veteran status. This policy shall be adhered to in accordance with the provisions of all applicable federal, state and local laws, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Manual of Administrative Policies and Procedures

Close Date
09/28/2026

Open Until Filled (overrides close field)
No

Special Instructions to Applicants
Open to all applicants.
Posting Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you have a Master’s degree in higher education administration, college student personnel, student affairs, enrollment management, counseling, education, or a closely related field?
   • Yes
   • No
2. * Do you have a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in new student orientation, student transition programs, enrollment management, student affairs, student success, or a related higher education area?
   • Yes
   • No
3. * Do you have demonstrated supervisory experience with professional staff, graduate assistants, and/or student employees?
   • Yes
   • No
4. * Do you have demonstrated experience planning and executing large-scale programs or events involving multiple stakeholders?
   • Yes
   • No

Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
3. Official Transcripts

Optional Documents

1. Other Document
2. Reference Letter 1
3. Reference Letter 2
4. Reference Letter 3