Executive Director/Director, Educational Opportunity Program

Position Overview

Coordinate development, external funding, and implementation of a comprehensive support program for educationally and economically disadvantaged Marquette undergraduates and potential Marquette students, in order to prepare them for success in baccalaureate and postbaccalaureate programs. Strengthen Marquette’s capacity to attract and retain such students as an integral part of the Marquette community. Requires strong administrative and strategic planning abilities, awareness of and sensitivity to issues affecting student retention, excellent communication skills, and ability to interact effectively with a broad range of constituents and colleagues with differing levels of education and experience.

    Duties and Responsibilities

1. Oversee management/implementation of the five federally funded U.S. Department of Education TRIO Projects (Student Support Services, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math/Science Center, Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, Talent Search) that provide core fiscal support for EOP programming (academic year and transitional summer for 300 college and 800 pre-college students).
2. Monitor total federal budget of over $2.05 million and $4.9 million financial aid for EOP students annually.
3. Overall supervision of a full-time staff of 28 plus part-time instructors; including recruitment, hiring, training/professional development, performance appraisals, staff meetings, and related HR functions.
4. Coordinate EOP activities with University-wide initiatives including: University Advancement and Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to identify and secure supplemental funding for financial aid and programming; academic units and departments to monitor student performance and provide student services; Marquette Central, Student Affairs Offices and other academic support services to facilitate service to EOP students; and Office of Admissions for recruiting and supporting low-income, first-generation college and underrepresented minority students.
5. Collaborate with campus leaders to promote strategic diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at Marquette.
6. Collaborate with Marquette University Alumni Association (MUAA) to foster growth and involvement of Marquette TRIO alumni association.
7. Collaborate with Office of Marketing and Communication to provide human interest/public relations stories for University.
8. Develop and maintain relationships with organizations in the communities in which our students reside (e.g., Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, local high schools) to increase the visibility and effectiveness of EOP in promoting the University mission.
9. Maintain regular, direct contact with EOP students, including organizing and promoting social/cultural activities for students (e.g., Metcalfe Scholars seminars, National TRIO Day, campus multi-cultural), preparing letters of recommendation for graduate school, employment, and student recognition, and maintaining a program of regular student feedback/evaluation of program services
10. Maintain contact with and attend periodic training/conferences by U.S. Department of Education personnel and national/regional associations of TRIO programs in order to remain abreast of relevant regulations and pending legislation that affect service delivery
11. Maintain appropriate professional memberships (e.g., Educational Opportunity Association and Wisconsin Associations of Educational Opportunity Programs Personnel, (EOA and WAEOPP), Wisconsin Association of Student Financial Aid (WASFAA), The Leaders Forum, etc.
12. Maintain appropriate files and records and prepare internal and external reports.
13. Perform other duties and responsibilities as required, assigned, or requested.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• A Master’s degree required to meet the title of Executive Director or a Bachelor’s degree and currently enrolled in a Master’s degree program with expected completion within the next two years to meet the title of Director.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible administrative experience, including staff supervision, budget management, program evaluation and assessment, curriculum development, college teaching, and providing services to low-income and or potential first-generation college students.
• Experience serving low-income students, a record of leadership in a college or university, and a demonstrated ability to support low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented minority students.
• Ability to advocate effectively on behalf of students with the colleges’ senior administration and faculty.
• Be self-directed, exercise initiative, balance multiple priorities, adapt effectively to change, thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of student support pedagogy and possess a demonstrated record of effective use of technology and institutional research.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Doctorate or other terminal degree preferred

 

It is the policy of Marquette University to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable federal or state-protected classification.