Director - McNair Scholars Program - Student Diversity, Engagement and Success - 15879

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ATTENTION:

The Student Diversity, Engagement and Success department at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater sees a Director of the McNair Scholars Program (Acad Program Director). This will be a full-time Limited Appointment. For additional information regarding Limited appointments, please review the Personnel Rules at http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/uws/15

JOB DETAILS:

The Director of the McNair Scholars Program will design, implement, supervise, and monitor program activities and outcomes in accordance with federal regulations and program objectives. This includes being responsible for: supervision, training and evaluation of staff; program development, fiscal management and development of program budgets; maintenance of a longitudinal database of students served; maintenance of appropriate records of participants’ activities and eligibility; coordinating research and engagement activities; writing and/or oversight of preparation and submittal of federal and state annual program reports and proposals for grants. The McNair Scholars Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education as part of its TRIO portfolio, and seeks to increase the number of first-generation students from low-income families and underrepresented minority students who pursue and earn doctoral degrees. This position requires maintaining a designated student case load and developing and maintaining quality faculty relationships across the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus and in some cases, abroad. This position is contingent upon grant funding and is currently funded through 2022.

This position requires extensive contact with the UW-Whitewater campus and community, students, faculty, graduate institutions and faculty abroad. The position may entail fostering and developing relationships with personnel across campus and in the community including but not limited to: admissions, student affairs, academic advising, campus organizations, faculty, administrators, academic staff, and other appropriate college personnel; professional organizations, community-based groups, student groups, and agencies interested in promoting the concept of equal educational opportunity, research education and advancement, and promoting advanced degree attainment. This position reports to the Assistant Vice Chancellor (AVC) for Student Diversity, Engagement and Success (SDES) within Academic Affairs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree
• Five years’ experience in TRIO or academic support programs in higher education, non-profit entity, or public education
• Experience in providing support for the administration and management of programs serving first generation, diverse and economically disadvantaged (M/D) students
• Experience with writing, securing, and/or facilitating federal, state, and/or private grants
• Experience providing comprehensive academic, graduate, and career advising

Desired Qualifications:

• PhD Preferred (or) some doctoral education experience
• A strong record of accomplishment of implementing new programs and new programmatic strategies, with robust outcomes (in quality, academic outcomes, growth, and revenue)
• Demonstrated history in creating innovative programmatic strategies and successful implementation and collaborations
• Experience handling, prioritizing and executing multiple projects accurately and providing high-quality results while maintaining a high level of customer service, professionalism, and team morale in a fast-paced environment with rapidly changing priorities
• Experience with budget and grant management, program assessment and evaluation, and data driven decision-making
• Proficiency in utilizing technology to manage and track student services, budgets, program assessment and evaluation and communication with constituents, such as WINS, Student Information System, Qualtrics, and Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Demonstrated strategic planning ability
• Demonstrated ability to develop and supervise staff
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and others
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in higher education

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience with supervision and training
• Commitment to recruiting and maintaining a pool of eligible participants
• Knowledge of methodologies for monitoring project and student progress
• Familiarity with the potential life experiences of students to be served
• Significant understanding of the research life cycle and process within academia
• Understanding of the university structure
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team under tight timelines and changing priorities
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication and organizational skills
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to perform non-routine work with changing priorities and collaborating parties
• Excellent judgment and decisiveness, high integrity, enthusiasm, diplomacy, and tact
• A collaborative leader who engages and empowers an organized team of event planning and programming professionals, fostering a strong, cohesive team environment
• Demonstrated competency in budget management
• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills
• Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds

RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. McNair Program Oversight (30%)

1. Provide oversight to the McNair Program including leadership in program development, assessment, strategic planning, and program implementation
2. Independently oversee the day-to-day management of the McNair Program
3. Allocate staff and financial resources based on defined programmatic goals, growth and trajectory
4. Define programmatic goals and ensure their proper implementation, autonomously and in collaboration with appropriate stakeholders, within broadly defined strategic goals for the Office of Student Diversity, Engagement and Success and the UW-Whitewater, and in concert with the federal guidelines of the grant
5. Build relationships with school and campus stakeholders to enhance the programs and services provided to students
6. Work collaboratively with colleagues (e.g., students, faculty, staff, administrators) across the unit and campus to ensure the program objectives are reached and programmatic experiences are meeting students' needs
7. Responsibly manage program funds, complete program evaluations and use evaluation data for program improvement
8. Develop and monitor annual budget with aid of U.S. Department of Education Program Officers, UW-W Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, SDES Budget manager and SDES AVC
9. Authorize expenditures of federal funds
10. Develop and implement a plan to increase recruitment and retention of target population: low- income and first-generation college students, and underrepresented minority students
11. Implement plan for data collection, documentation and evaluation of all phases and requirements of the program
12. Hire, train, and supervise graduate/undergraduate assistants
13. Oversee compliance with federal regulations and the U.S. Department of Education's EDGAR to provide required documentation and accountability for services provided, allowable costs, and objectives accomplished
14. Oversee the recruitment and scholarship/stipend disbursal process of the McNair program
15. Lead the formulation, development, and implementation of innovative programs and high-quality services that meet the education, student experience, career exploration, and graduate school preparation needs of students
16. Lead, develop, and manage program staff; this includes fostering an inclusive environment for staff and students, managing change, ensuring transparency of decision-making and processes, and empowering staff to do meaningful work

B. Program Design and Strategic Support (30%)

1. Plan, implement, and administer undergraduate research and college retention activities
2. Propose and design innovative strategies for programs that carry out the strategic aims of the grant, University, and the strategic vision of SDES, in collaboration with the other programs in SDES
3. Provide extensive high-level support in program development and strategic decision-making to the AVC, SDES and UW-W as needed
4. Plan and conduct meetings, conferences, and in-service training for faculty mentors, graduate/undergraduate assistants, and instructors
5. Research national and international trends to prepare and implement innovative strategies for reaching programmatic goals
6. Serve as the primary advisor for program development and growth
7. Lead a McNair Scholars faculty and staff steering committee
8. Research, write, and prepare competitive proposals, grant applications, and performance reports, as well as secure partnerships
9. Participate in training and professional development opportunities as approved.

C. Mentoring and Advising (30%)

1. Direct, design, plan, and administer research, engagement and enrichment activities for McNair Scholars including programs to assist retention and graduation of first generation and URM students: internships, presentations at conferences; student leadership positions; undergraduate research; study abroad and domestic student exchange
2. Create an Individual Plan for each participant and oversee academic, financial, and career advising and graduate school admissions counseling for McNair Scholars
3. Administer programs and activities for McNair Scholars e.g., summer research seminar; summer research internships; graduate school visits; presentations at research conferences; GRE preparation
4. Develop coordination and working relationships with graduate programs at doctoral granting institutions and facilitate visitations and mentorships for current McNair Scholars
5. Connect students with sources of financial aid, including campus scholarships and the Lawton Undergraduate Minority Retention Grant, etc.
6. Connect students with resources related to financial aid, including campus, scholarships and the Lawton Undergraduate Minority Retention Grant
7. Oversee the McNair Scholars Program’s marketing strategy e.g., develop program brochures, maintain website, and social media, meet with prospective students, provide recruitment presentations
8. Track the progress of McNair alums

D. Additional Responsibilities as requested or assigned by the AVC, including but not limited to (10%)

1. Represent the university and/or the division on System-wide or community-based committees related to the McNair program as assigned by the AVC
2. Participate on divisional and university committees and task forces, including university governance processes related to the McNair program, as assigned, nominated, and/or elected
3. Prepare reports to track program development and contributions to System and University strategic goals
4. Adjust work schedule to include occasional weekends and evenings, as well as travel in order to fulfill professional obligations of overseeing program delivery and events
5. Support and assist with carrying out SDES- wide graduation and academic excellence receptions, and other SDES high impact efforts
6. Other duties as assigned

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

Founded in 1868, UW–Whitewater is one of eleven comprehensive universities in a public higher education system that also includes two doctoral institutions and a statewide Extension. In the fall of 2018, as a result of the University of Wisconsin System’s restructuring of the state’s 13 two-year campuses formerly known as UW Colleges, UW–Rock County began operating as a branch campus of UW–Whitewater under the new name of University of Wisconsin–Whitewater at Rock County. Together, these campuses form a preeminent academic institution driven by the pursuit of knowledge, powered by a spirit of innovation, and focused on transforming lives. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Main Campus and Rock County Campus are located conveniently near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, and thus offers the advantage of beautiful small-town environments with easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas.

The Warhawk family — led by caring faculty and staff — is devoted to student success within a broad range of academic programs. UW-Whitewater has a special mission within the UW System to serve students with disabilities and, as such, embraces the principles of universal design and is one of the most accessible campuses in the state. The campuses have more than 200 student organizations and UW-Whitewater is a Division III NCAA university. UW-Whitewater is committed to seeking and sustaining a culturally and ethnically diverse campus environment, building a diverse faculty and staff with expertise and interest in serving students with diverse needs, backgrounds, ethnicities, abilities and other distinct characteristics in respectful, sensitive and understanding ways. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus University of Wisconsin System (https://www.wisconsin.edu).

Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).

Per UPS Operation Policy: TC1, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.

For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see http://www.uww.edu/asfr. If you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

To learn more about UW-Whitewater's competitive benefits packages go to our: ALEX webpage, which is our interactive benefits decision support tool.

SPECIAL NOTES:

UW-Whitewater embraces AAC&U’s LEAP principles (http://www.uww.edu/leap) and emphasizes student, staff and faculty participation in High-Impact Practices (https://www.aacu.org/resources/high-impact-practices). The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (http://www.uww.edu/orsp) provides support for faculty scholarly and creative activities as well as other opportunities to apply for reassigned time and/or other resources to support research activities. UW-Whitewater faculty and staff also have access to technology transfer and research resources provided by WiSys (https://www.wisys.org).

CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources.

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION:

Applications received by October 16, 2019 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or if you are not able to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at 262-472-1024 or hrstudent@uww.edu.

For questions regarding the position, please contact:

Kara Sellers
Budget Manager
sellersk@uww.edu
262-472-1114

TO APPLY:

Only complete application packages will be considered. A complete application includes online submission of the following documents:

• Cover letter/letter of interest
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three professional references (letters of recommendation may be solicited at a later time)

This Job ID is 15879

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