Position Overview

Are you passionate about empowering students to succeed in higher education? The University of Minnesota is seeking a dynamic and dedicated Program Director to lead our TRIO Upward Bound program in college access and readiness programming and development for first generation and low-income high school-aged youth. In this pivotal role, the Program Director is responsible for an operating budget of 3 million dollars over a 5-year grant cycle, ensuring the grant is administered in accordance with all federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures. This position has direct oversight and responsibility for all program design, planning, implementation and evaluation of all program services and operations. Your leadership experience will guide the Trio Upward Bound team of professionals to provide year-round academic support, social development and college-readiness support services to 100+ low income, first generation high school students. The primary purpose of the work performed is to oversee programming targeted toward increasing equitable preparation for and access to higher education for underrepresented students from 4 Minneapolis Public Schools. This position is based on campus. Per UMN policy, work may be done remotely when appropriate and approved by your manager.

In addition to the skills sets listed below, we recognize that this position requires candidates to have capacity to engage with community partners, to build and supervise staff with emotional intelligence and integrity, and to be a collaborator with our TRIO Student Support Service and McNair Scholars Programs and ambassador for educational opportunity programs, locally, regionally and nationally. 

The budgeted salary range for this position is $86,000 - $90,000. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

The priority application deadline for this position is October 11th, 2024. 


Job Responsibilities

Program Design and implementation (60%)

• Meet U.S. Department of Education (USED) mandated program objectives as outlined in the approved federal grant. Stay abreast of changes to legislation and regulations impacting grant programming.
• Set, monitor and update the strategic plan, service calendar and overall direction for the program with input from diverse stakeholders and in accordance with college-readiness best practices. Oversight of all program initiatives to ensure high quality and support for program participants. 
• Ensure program services and practices are equitable and accessible for all students and advocate on behalf of students regarding equity in access to and exposure to resources to assist in the academic and socio-behavioral development of students. Partner with academic departments, student service departments and community programs to develop academic and socio-behavioral development support programming 
• Develops and implements workshops for students and families on financial literacy, career development and other holistic college readiness topics. 
• Represent the program and maintain positive working relationships with key stakeholders including: district and grant-targeted school leaders in the Minneapolis Public Schools, University of Minnesota CEHD leaders, diverse community agencies, legislators, students and families. 
• Build campus-wide awareness and understanding of TRIO Upward Bound by providing presentations and networking to establish strong working relationships with leadership, faculty, and staff in a manner that best serves participantsâ™ interests. 
• Oversee recruitment, admission, enrollment and tracking of approximately 350 current and past program participants for upwards of 10 years post initial date of program entry. Verify student eligibility and program compliance with Federal requirements 
• Development of programming by identifying student needs, outcomes, and resources, and evaluating effectiveness to support key student service initiatives: admissions, orientation, advising, instruction, academic support, social capital building and leadership development. 
• Manage internal formative assessments on student intervention and other program services. 
• Analyze and summarize data to understand student progress trends and make recommendations for improvement of best practices to enhance retention and academic progress towards HS graduation and college-readiness. 
• Prepare and submit annual program performance reports to the U.S. Department of Education 
• Manage all evaluation and data reporting of the program including annual progress reports to college and University stakeholders and the US Department of Education. 
  Chaperone students to conferences, evening activities, college visits and classroom field trips and/or assigns professional staff. 
• Attends the Department of Education national training, state conferences, regional conferences, national conferences, and local workshops. 
   

Grant Accountability and Program Administration (20%) 

• Serve as Principal Investigator for the grant and maintain fiscal internal controls as a responsible steward of taxpayer money. 
  • Directly responsible for the oversight of an operating budget of 3 million dollars over a 5-year grant cycle and for securing future funding. 
  • Set and administer annual budget as funded by the US Department of Education 
  • Authorize and monitor allowable expenditures and processes related to expenditures 
  • Develop grant proposal as required each budget cycle 
• Manage and oversee scholarship programs distributing over $80,000 in scholarship monies annually. 
• Secure funding for, manage and oversee supplemental service grants including USDA summer foods program grant and City of Minneapolis STEP UP Explore work-readiness program grant.
• Manage on-going data reporting and evaluation of the program, including annual summary of progress to target school principals and regular reporting to CEHD and USED as required 
• Oversees program marketing materials and program communications with stakeholders including semester program newsletter, program website and social media accounts. 
• Oversees and/or develops and maintains program procedural and policy manual for full and part-time staff and program handbooks for students and parents/guardians 
   

Staff supervision (15%) 

• Hire and provide direct supervision to professional and administrative staff. Monitor job performance by providing regular feedback, opportunities for development, annual performance evaluations and appropriate corrective action as needed. 
• Provides support and identify opportunities for continuing professional development and training for the TRIO UB staff to ensure performance goals are met in terms of identified areas for growth and developments 
• Provide training for staff on program regulations and legislation, safely and liability for working with youth and privacy rights in accordance with Federal, state and University of Minnesota policies and regulations 
   

Service to the unit, college, University, and broader community (5%) 

• Collaborate with EOP Program Directors and serve as a leader with the Student Services team, and consult with members of the team on initiatives, operations and management of the unit. Analyze and provide input on policies and processes that impact student progress; and develop new policies and practices as appropriate. Stay abreast of current trends and philosophies in student services, engage in scholarly or creative activities in the areas of academic progress, equity and diversity, curricular material development, and service delivery.
• Consistent with grant guidelines and parameters, serve on College or all-University committees at the Assistant Deanâ™s request. 
• Participate in dissemination of best practices in educational opportunity program 
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelorâ™s degree in an education or human development field, college student personnel psychology, counseling, social work, or related field and 8 years of relevant experience or a master's degree with 6 years of relevant experience to include the combination of: 
  • Minimum 2-3 years of experience with federal TRIO programs, academic support programs/cross disciplinary team with program development and evaluation to include reporting and compliance with federal regulations. 
  • Minimum 2-3 years of experience in equal education opportunity programs advising and teaching diverse students: low-income, first-generation college students, English language learners and students with disabilities 
  • Minimum 1-3 years of experience in areas of staff supervision, training, budget management, program and curriculum development 
• Demonstrated commitment to equal educational opportunity in student access, development and outcomes. 
• Demonstrated expertise in areas of multicultural student development, diversity, curriculum development, evaluation, and education policy. 
• Demonstrated strong communication skills written, oral and through the use of technology. 
• Ability to travel locally, nationally and occasional global travel required. (out of town travel 5%). Must possess a valid driverâ™s license with a clean driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masterâ™s or Doctorate degree in education or human development field, college student personnel psychology, counseling, social work, or related field. 
• Experience with program management at a large research university in areas such as admissions, recruiting diverse students, advising and program marketing, publications and electronic media, securing resources and support. 
• Ability to represent the program and the University of Minnesota to students, Minneapolis Public Schools, community partners and other stakeholders. 
• Programming leadership and classroom teaching experience, particularly with high school youth. 
• Ability to manage program budget: determine allowable, allocated costs. 
• Database management, report and grant writing ability. 
• Consideration of personal experiences of overcoming barriers similar to those of UB and TRIO eligible students. 
• Direct experience in TRIO programs including understanding of program regulations and compliance issues. 

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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