"Senior Director of First Year Experience & Connections"

Senior Director of First Year Experience & Connections

Company: Fairmont State University

Job Location: Fairmont

Category: Student Affairs and Services

Type: Full-Time

Type of Position: Staff - Full Time

Department: Student Affairs

Appointment Length: July - June (12 mo)

Benefits Eligible?: Yes

Requested Part-Time Staff Hours: N/A

F.T.E.: 1.00

Grant Funded Position?: No

Description of Job Duties and Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The Senior Director of First Year Experience & Connections will play a central role in collaborating with other offices to develop, implement, and evaluate a holistic, student-centered support system for the first-year experience of students. This position is also responsible for coordinating existing programs and services into a comprehensive First-Year Experience Program that addresses the academic, social, financial, and emotional needs of these students.

Additionally, the Senior Director will provide leadership of the leadership development program for Presidential Scholars and oversight of the Datha & Gene Fellowship Program, a signature initiative designed to empower and support high-achieving first-generation students through mentorship, leadership development, and experiential learning opportunities. The Senior Director will also lead the institution's First-Generation programming to ensure all first-generation students-especially those from underserved backgrounds-transition successfully into college life. Furthermore, this position provides oversight of the Middle College Program, ensuring a seamless experience for participants by aligning academic and co-curricular components with university standards and student success goals.

This role requires a strategic, innovative, and empathetic leader with a deep understanding of student development theory, student success, and belonging in higher education.

Key Responsibilities:

First-Year Experience Coordination:

• Coordinate the strategic planning and coordination of First-Year Experience programs, working with the areas of orientation, welcome week, advising, student success, and ongoing transition support in collaboration with enrollment management, academic affairs, and other campus partners.
• Align programs and initiatives with the broader Student Affairs Strategic Vision, ensuring a clear connection to divisional priorities and institutional goals.
• Work closely with enrollment management, academic affairs, residence life, and student engagement to ensure a cohesive and enriching experience for all new students.
• Evaluate programs and services focused on first-year students for effectiveness and implement improvements based on student feedback and learning outcomes.
• Oversee data collection and reporting to measure program effectiveness, inform decision-making, and drive ongoing innovation in first-year student support.
• Embed equity-minded practices to ensure first-generation, low-income, and historically marginalized students are supported from day one.

Community Building and Student Development Programming:

• Coordinate the planning and execution of welcome week and first-year initiatives.
• Create and oversee programming that builds meaningful connections among first-year students on campus and across the network to foster their integration into the university community.
• Design experiences that develop student autonomy, self-advocacy skills, leadership capabilities, and personal growth.
• Collaborate with residential life, student organizations, and campus activities to provide diverse engagement opportunities across the network.
• Support new and existing peer mentoring programs and other initiatives that strengthen student networks and support systems.

Presidential Scholar Program:

• Collaborate with Enrollment Management to assist in aspects of the Presidential Scholars program, including budgeting, stipends/scholarships, and compliance with institutional policies.
• Serve as primary advisor and point of contact for all scholars.
• Ensure Scholars' participation in signature campus events such as Fall Welcome Convocation, Day of Giving, and Student Government programs.
• Provide a structured pathway to attract, retain, and showcase Fairmont State's highest-achieving students, elevating the university's academic reputation.
• Create intentional leadership training, mentoring, and service-learning opportunities that align with FSU's mission of cultivating engaged citizens.

First-Generation Comprehensive Program Development:

• Design, launch, and evaluate a campus-wide First-Generation Student Program.
• Conduct needs assessments and use data to identify gaps in services and develop targeted support strategies.
• Coordinate with academic and student support units to enhance retention, engagement, and success of first-generation students.
• Develop workshops, learning communities, peer mentoring, and family engagement efforts.
• Serve as a campus advocate for first-generation students, ensuring their voices are heard in institutional planning and policy-making.

General Student Support and Institutional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with various departments (e.g., Financial Aid, Counseling, Career Services, Academic Advising) to streamline services and advocate for student needs.
• Supervise student staff, graduate assistants, and/or professional staff as assigned.
• Participate in campus committees related to student success, belonging, and retention.
• Prepare reports, grant applications, and presentations to demonstrate program impact and secure funding.

Oversight of the Middle College Program:

• Supervise the Director of Middle College
• Develop and assess student engagement and success strategies that align Middle College with the university's broader student success and access mission.
• Prepare reports and data summaries on enrollment, outcomes, and program impact to inform institutional planning and partnerships.
• Partner with faculty, donors, and external stakeholders to sustain and expand the program's reach and impact.

Oversight of the Datha & Gene Fellowship Program:

• Supervise the Coordinator of the Datha & Gene Fellowship Program
• Assist in managing aspects of the fellowship, including recruitment, application
• Partner with faculty, donors, and external stakeholders to sustain and expand the program's reach and impact.

Minimum Required Education

Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field.

Required Licenses and/or Certifications

None

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Minimum 4-6 years of progressive experience in education, preferably working with first-generation or underserved populations.
• Demonstrated experience developing and evaluating student-centered programs.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD or EdD in Education, Counseling, and Philosophy
• Personal or professional experience with first-generation college student issues
• Experience with grant writing, fundraising, or donor stewardship
• Familiarity with assessment tools and student success analytics

Requisition Number: 2026049SP

Number of Vacancies: 1

Anticipated Hire Date: ASAP

Job Close Date: 01/04/2026

Open Until Filled: No

Quicklink for Posting: https://www.fairmontstatejobs.com/postings/9980