"Assistant Director of University Access Programs - S24-022"

Rank: Administrator III

Search Number: [S24-022]

Job Posted: July 31, 2024

Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) seeks a passionate student success leader to serve as the Assistant Director of University Access Programs. Southern Connecticut State University is a diverse and student-centered university dedicated to academic excellence, access, and service for the public good. Southern provides a supportive and welcoming environment for all its community members through a campus-wide commitment to social justice. Founded as a teacher’s college in 1893, Southern has evolved over the past century into a comprehensive public university of more than 8,000 students, offering graduate and undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and professional disciplines. It is one of four universities in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System. The University is located inNew Haven, a city rich with arts and culture, less than 90 miles from New York City and 140 miles from Boston.

This position aims to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for first-generation students, low- and limited- wealth students, and students with foster care experience, empowering them to achieve their academic and personal goals and contribute to the vibrant and diverse campus community at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU). Under the supervision of the Director of University Access Programs (UAP), the Assistant Director assists with the overall mission and goals of the University Access Programs, collaborating with other key campus departments and key external departments to provide high-impact programs and services especially focused on first-generation, lower-wealth, and students with foster care experience. 

Essential Functions

• Provides leadership for the development of First-Gen at Southern. Offers programs that support students who are first-generation and low- or limited- wealth while also educating the campus community on the assets these students bring to their college experience. 
• Leads and oversees the Owl Flight to Excellence Program for first-generation and/or students of color, including selecting, training, matching, monitoring, and supervising mentors and program participants, and recommends administrative and program policy changes to the UAP director and the advisory committee.
• Provides holistic individual and group advising and support for Owl Flight, PACE Scholars, and possibly other UAP cohorts as needed. Monitors students' academic progress and determines eligibility and satisfactory progress toward a degree. Makes student referrals to appropriate academic departments, counseling, and other student support departments on campus.
• Coordinates and facilitates Owl Flight mentoring activities, workshops, and events to engage and guide first-generation and/or students of color participants in their academic and personal growth.
• Assists the UAP director in collecting data for all First-Gen at Southern initiatives, including the Owl Flight to Excellence and PACE programs, evaluating outcomes, effectiveness and impact, and using this information to make informed decisions and improvements.
• Develops and maintains a budget for the Owl Flight program, ensuring responsible resource use and compliance with university policies.
• Assists the director by engaging in all NASPA Scholars Network activities and actively advocates and promotes first-generation support and success on campus. 
• Leads the SANKOFA First Generation Family Engagement program. Collaborates with the Office of Orientation, Transition and Family Engagement to support engagement and partnership with a more robust and diverse family/supporter community.
• Partners with Residence Life to provide support for CT State students with foster care experienceswho live on our campus.
• Works with Transfer Admissions Services and CT State partners to develop pipelines to Southern for students with foster care experience with continuation of support and services.
• Represents the department at campus-wide events, on various committees, and at designated meetings.
• May involve occasional work in the evenings and/or weekends.
• Stays informed about best practices and trends in supporting first-generation scholars, lower-wealth, and men of color, mentoring, and student support services, and apply this knowledge to enhance the UAP programs and services. Maintain an active working knowledge of financial aid policies and procedures, academic policies, etc.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of full-time related experience
• Demonstrated skill and ability to provide academic and personal advising and support to underserved students (e.g. first-generation, academically underprepared, lower-income, etc.)
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• A clear commitment to social justice and anti-racism, with a high degree of cultural awareness and a respect for a diversity of identities and experiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master’s degree, experience advising/teaching underserved students
• Working knowledge of university recruitment and financial aid policies
• Experience with program development and mentoring are preferred. 

These qualifications may be waived for individuals with appropriate alternate experience.

Application

For priority consideration, please send a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three professional references to Oscar Clark at clarko1@southernct.edu. Applications will be reviewed in August 2024, and the position will remain open until filled.