The Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life is a national leader in civic education, whose teaching, research and community partnerships are setting the standard for higher education’s role in civic engagement. As the only university-wide college of its kind, Tisch engages Tufts students in transformational learning opportunities via hands-on field-based experiences, community building, and public service. These engagements prepare them to become active citizens and community leaders. Tisch research centers conduct groundbreaking research on young people’s civic and political participation and forge innovative participatory action research partnerships with communities.
Tisch College’s North Star—building robust, inclusive democracy for an increasingly multiracial society—seeks to cultivate knowledge, leaders and living experiments that expand possibilities for democratic development in the context of increasing risks to democracy worldwide. Our work supports the University’s efforts to become an anti-racist institution. Our programs and research centers focus on strengthening the political participation and voices of historically marginalized people, especially youth, and on addressing the challenges of building and reviving democratic institutions needed for multiracial/ethnic societies.
The College develops innovative projects and programs to make field-based community knowledge co-creation, practical community-based problem-solving and civic learning opportunities more accessible and impactful for students and communities. Serving as an innovator and incubator, Tisch College collaborates closely with Tufts schools, departments, and student groups to generate an enduring culture of active citizenship across the university.
What You'll Do
In alignment with Tisch’s North Star and the new strategic direction of the Vice Provost, this position will provide leadership and oversight to the conceptualization, design, and delivery of transformational student learning experiences focused on civic and community engagement for Tufts University.
Reporting to the Associate Dean of Programs and Administration, Tisch College, the Director of Student Programs will play a key leadership role in developing and directing programs to advance student learning outcomes as they relate to theories of civic and community engagement. The position will function at a highly autonomous level to create and support vibrant and engaging student experiences that support student personal, intellectual, and leadership development. The position will direct a dedicated, creative, and dynamic staff of 12 professionals with responsibility for administering student programs across the university - School of Dental Medicine, School of Medicine, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Friedman School of Nutrition, the School of Arts & Sciences and Engineering, as well as the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, and Tufts’ school of lifelong learning, University College.
The Director of Student Programs will support and further the College’s mission through developing and promoting the visibility of educational programs, collaborations, and through original research and publications. Further, the position will develop and manage relationships with a constellation of key individual andorganizational stakeholders including faculty and other academic partners, alumni, donors, domestic and international partner organizations, and philanthropic foundations. The Director of Student Programs will work alongside the Director of Community Partnerships to identify and develop strategic relationships with new and existing partners aligned with the Tisch mission and vision in support of student learning.
This is a hybrid position where you are expected to be in the office 3 days per week.
What We're Looking For
Basic Requirements:
Master’s degree in Education, Human Development or related social science field with 10-15 years prior experience in higher education or other intellectually rigorous environment with substantial experience in program conceptualization, design, implementation, and administration for student audiences.
Strong track record of working successfully with students and fostering student success in higher education.
Proven success in leading teams and programs involving student development, leadership development, and community engagement with a strong emphasis on DEIJ.
Experience developing and implementing institutional strategy.
Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and support staff.
Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to racial, social, environmental, and educational justice.
Demonstrated ability to balance conceptual priorities with practical logistics and high-level operations.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and to handle sensitive matters with judgment, tact, and diplomacy.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to relate well with students, staff, faculty, administrators, and community members.
Strong initiative and the ability to design, develop and execute evidence-based education programs.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a broad variety of stakeholders, units, and committees in academic settings.
Preferred Qualifications:
Ph.D or Ed.D.
Experience with program evaluation.
Demonstrated ability to conduct research and publish in peer reviewed outlets.
Familiarity with community co-creation in experiential learning settings.
Experience with administering global learning opportunities
Special Work Schedule Requirements:
Must be able to work occasional weekends and nights and travel between campuses.
Pay Range
Minimum $102,400.00, Midpoint $128,050.00, Maximum $153,700.00
Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.
This is Tufts.
Tufts is a student-centered research university with a constellation of world-class schools encompassing undergraduate, graduate, professional, and lifelong learning programs. Across the university, students satisfy their intellectual curiosity, jump-start rewarding careers, and unlock bright, promising futures. Through rigorous academics, groundbreaking research, and a commitment to civic engagement and leadership, our community of students, faculty, and staff collaborate across four Massachusetts campuses to build a brighter world (Medford/Somerville, Grafton, Boston-Chinatown, and Boston-Fenway).
Our employees light the way.
Tufts develops innovative solutions for the most complex global challenges of our time through teaching, research, and an unparalleled investment in civic engagement. In administration and operations, in dining centers and in labs, every employee plays a role in our mission for a better, brighter world.
At Tufts, the work you do matters. So do you.
Enjoy flexible and remote opportunities, innovative benefits, and an inclusive, welcoming, collaborative culture that supports you. Develop your skills. Take classes. Advance your career. ...Do work that makes you proud in a community you love. All while taking great care of yourself and the people who matter most.
We’re all in on creating an anti-racist culture of belonging.
Across Tufts, we’ve deepened our commitment to making the university a truly inclusive place. Where every member of our community contributes and feels like they belong. Where diverse perspectives are seen as our strength, and great ideas are always heard. In offices, labs, classrooms, and beyond, we’re doing this work together, knowing it is the foundation of our mission to create a brighter world.
An innovative university needs resourceful people who make things happen.
Here, collaboration isn’t just a buzzword, colleagues actually care, and community means everything. Sound appealing? Come join us. Choose a campus and find the role that fits you. Tufts University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty and staff and fostering their success when hired. Members of underrepresented groups are welcome and strongly encouraged to apply.
See the University’s Non-Discrimination statement and policy here https://oeo.tufts.edu/policies-procedures/non-discrimination/.
If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, please contact us by calling the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 617-627-3298 or at oeo@tufts.edu. Applicants can learn more about requesting reasonable accommodations at https://oeo.tufts.edu/