Assistant Director for Pre-College Initiatives

Department: University Life - Early Identification Program 

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On-Site Required

Salary: Salary range starting low $60k's; commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes, the position funding will end on 6/30/2027 unless grant is extended

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

About the Department:

EIP encourages first-generation college-bound students to enroll in college and succeed once admitted. By providing academic, career, and personal/social resources, EIP promotes life-long learning through value in education, respect, ethics, leadership, and advocacy.

About the Position:

Employing an anti-deficit approach to working with First-Generation college-bound students, the Assistant Director for Pre-College Initiatives (ADPCI) plays a pivotal role in ensuring students and their families are ready and prepared to successfully traverse secondary school and transition to a post-secondary institution. The ADPCI is an ambassador for Mason, serving as a thought partner to the Executive Director, Associate Director, and program staff to help provide strategies for the implementation of best practices in support of first-generation college-bound students throughout the region. The ADPCI co-manages programmatic efforts that supports the academic success of program participants and acts as a liaison to EIP’s public school and campus-based partners to ensure the administration of school-based programs are seamless, safe, and impactful.

This position requires some evening and weekend work to support program activities and is expected to commute for facilitation of site visits and school-based visits when necessary. 

Responsibilities:

Programs:

• Academic Mentoring Program:
  • Co-manages the Academic Mentoring Program; and
  • Oversees the day-to-day operations of the after-school mentoring and tutoring program, ensuring that students receive comprehensive academic support and guidance.
• Early Outreach Engagement:
  • Develops and implements strategies for early outreach engagement, focusing on middle school students and new student recruitment;
  • Collaborates with school partners and community organizations to identify and support prospective EIP and first-generation college-bound students; and
  • This also includes managing the application and onboarding process of new students and families that join Early Identification and its programs.
• Pre-College Programs:
  • Directs the Institute for Excellence and other college preparation programs;
  • Provides leadership and support for the Institute for Excellence programs, which offer college credit to first-generation college students and expose them to career readiness activities, academic pathways, and opportunities to engage in research;
  • Works closely with program participants to ensure their academic success and professional development;
  • Works with institutional partners to arrange course offerings, recruit students, and market and assess programs;
  • Responsible for tracking and gathering data for impact reports for program partners, donors, and program leadership; and
  • Helps plan logistics for summer programs offered by the Early Identification Program.

Leadership - Supervision and Evaluation:

• Recruits, supervises, and evaluates student and part-time staff members, providing mentorship, guidance, and support; and
• Conducts regular evaluations to assess staff performance and provide feedback for growth and further development.

Event Planning and Coordination:

• Plans and coordinates events and activities aimed at promoting college readiness, career exploration, and academic success among first-generation college-bound students.

Budget Management:

• Oversees the budget for pre-college initiatives, including the Academic Mentoring Program for designated sites, Early Outreach Engagement efforts, and the Institute for Excellence program; and
• Assists in developing budget proposals, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring fiscal responsibility in alignment with organizational goals and priorities.

Assessment and Reporting:

• Works closely with the Associate Director for Programs and Assessment to assess the impact of programming on students and families;
• Uses data to improve and enhance programs; and
• Helps leverage data to communicate the impact of programs to program partners through creation of impact reports when needed.

Student Support:

• Commitment to Student Success: Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the success of college bound first-generation college students, providing individualized support and guidance to help them overcome barriers and achieve their academic and career goals;
• Student Caseload Management: Manages a caseload of students from assigned public school systems and provides direct support to help them successfully navigate secondary school and the college application process. Offers guidance on course selection, standardized testing, college and career exploration, application assistance, and financial aid resources; and
• Direct Student Support: Provides individualized support to students, addressing their academic, social, and emotional needs to ensure their success in secondary school and beyond. Serves as a trusted mentor and advocate, helping students overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Previous experience working with at-promise, college-bound first-generation college students, and/or economically disadvantaged students;
• Previous work in a pre-college or a similar educational setting;
• Demonstrated experience providing opportunity, success, and a deep commitment to empowering high-potential college-bound first-generation college students;
• Knowledge of best practices of college access programs and supporting high-ability, low-resourced communities;
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to effectively mentor and motivate staff members;
• Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with students, staff, and community partners;
• Demonstrated event planning/coordination and program management skills, including demonstrated organizational, marketing, and database management skills;
• Ability to effectively advise and counsel students and families;
• Ability to speak publicly and clearly present information, ability to apply strategy to thought processes and planning; and
• Ability to demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and professional acumen in an office that works with diverse partners.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience providing exceptional customer service for students and families;
• Knowledge of public school systems;
• Ability to read and understand budgets;
• Ability to effectively communicate cross-culturally;
• Ability to engage in critical thought processes and problem-solve;
• Ability to work independently, to self-motivate with a strong follow-through; and
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment, to be highly coachable and to take constructive direction from team members.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Assistant Director for Pre-College Initiatives at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date: May 7, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by: May 14, 2024

Open Until Filled?:  Yes