Project Director, TRIO Student Support Services Program

The position is responsible for implementing, supervising, and managing the daily operations, including ensuring programmatic outcomes, in accordance with the approved federal Trio Student Support Services grant and applicable Federal legislation and administrative regulations. The position reports to, advises, assists, and provides executive level support to the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) in achieving University and Student Affairs priorities. This position is responsible for developing and implementing collaborative retention-driven participant experiences. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Position Specific Responsibilities

• Maintaining a working understanding and knowledge of the approved Federal grant and related legislation and regulations.
• Hiring, supervising, evaluating, and directing the work of all staff in accordance with guidelines in the approved grant and applicable policies and procedures.
• Developing, implementing, and evaluating strategies, outreach, and programs that ensure the annual successful recruitment, screening, and selection of eligible participants.
• Developing, implementing, and evaluating strategies that ensure the annual attainment of approved objectives of student support and retention.
• Developing, proposing, and managing the approved annual budget.
• Ensuring the development, implementation, and evaluation of retention support and other services as stated in the approved grant.
• Conducting program assessments and evaluations of program design and operations.
• Completing annual and other reports.
• Serving as a liaison between the campus and the U.S. Department of Education in consultation with supervisor and the Director of Grants.

Core Responsibilities for All Student Affairs Staff 

1. Completing or assisting with routine administrative functions as appropriate (e.g., budgeting, report-writing, strategic planning, record-keeping, data collection and management, developing policies and procedures, and evaluation and assessments related to student outcomes and program effectiveness).
2. Implementing or assisting with feedback processes to ensure concerns are addressed and improvements are considered.
3. Supporting and assisting with signature student experiences (e.g., Admitted Student Days; Campus Visit Days; Orientation and Registration Days; Convocations; Commencements; Homecoming and Family Weekend; Student Welcome Week; Involvement Fairs; Career Fairs; Annual Awards Program; etc.).  
4. Serving on appropriate university or community committees, councils, and boards as recommended by the supervisor or University President. 
5. Implementing emergency communication plans and protocols which includes providing direction, oversight, guidance, and support as needed in emergency or crisis situations.
6. Seeking and proposing opportunities for ongoing appropriate professional development.
7. Communicating effectively university and department goals, achievements, challenges, solutions, practices, changes, and consistently enforcing all policies and regulations.
8. Maintaining high ethical standards and integrity by conducting all operations professionally, including acting in accordance with all Millikin University policies and procedures.
9. Performing other mission-critical and job-related duties as assigned based on operational needs. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Supervises professional and applicable student staff.
• Supervises graduate assistants.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to succeed in a results-driven professional organization. Transferable skills from relevant experiences in education, not-for-profit, business, or other industries and fields will be considered. Additional qualifications specific to this position are below:

Education and/or Experience 

Required: 

1. Master’s degree required in education, student personnel, counseling, sociology, or other appropriate field from a U.S. accredited institution.
2. Five years’ full-time work experience overseeing, coordinating, or evaluating educational access, opportunity, and similar programs designed to promote student retention, persistence, and graduation such as TRIO Student Support Services, TRIO McNair Scholars Program, learning centers, tutoring programs, and academic advising.
3. Training experience in education field, human services field, public policy field, or related fields that enhance knowledge and understanding of student retention theories and practices, support services that increase grade point averages and graduation rates, grant/program design and management, budget management, and instructional technology.

Preferred: 

1. Prior experience managing a TRIO program, preferably a TRIO Student Support Services Program.
2. Grant writing experience, preferably for TRIO Student Support Services Programs.
3. Teaching, preferably at the college level.
4. Related experiences in a college or university setting.
5. Experience supervising staff at any professional level.
6. Experience applying wellness, student development, advising, and/or trauma-informed practices in service-delivery.

Examples of Measures of Success 

 Success will be measured by at least the following metrics:

• Eligible participants recruited and served
• Participation, satisfaction, academic standing, retention, and degree completion rates
• Post-baccalaureate placement for students participating in services and programs
• Student Learning Outcomes