Associate Director, Promise Scholars

Under the general direction of the Executive Director of Promise Scholars, the Associate Director assists in overseeing the day-to-day operations and activities of the Promise Scholars program. This role supports the Executive Director in leading, developing, coordinating, implementing, and assessing all unit activities, counseling services, and retention programs in accordance with CSU and Cal Poly policies to ensure academic and student success for program participants. Responsibilities include oversight of counseling activities and staff within the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), TRIO Achievers, and Promise Scholars counselors.

The Associate Director acts as a campus leader to promote a sense of belonging and inclusion, develop program guidelines, represent programs to the public, and maintain relationships with diverse constituencies, including students, faculty, and staff. This position cultivates strategic partnerships with stakeholders such as instructional faculty, Academic Affairs advising, academic support units, SEMSA departments, and University Development and Alumni Engagement.

About the Program

The Promise Scholars program provides holistic student support and facilitates connections to campus resources to improve retention and academic success among first-generation, limited-income, and/or historically underserved college students. This position collaborates with Academic Affairs and departments across campus to implement activities that build transformative student experiences. Promise Scholars resides in the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs (SEMSA) in partnership with Academic Affairs.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Executive Director in leading, developing, coordinating, and assessing unit activities, counseling services, and retention programs.
• Oversee counseling activities and staff within EOP, TRIO Achievers, and Promise Scholars.
• Promote a sense of belonging and inclusion on campus.
• Develop guidelines for programs and services.
• Represent programs and the campus to the public.
• Maintain working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and external constituencies.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with instructional faculty, Academic Affairs advising, academic support units, SEMSA departments, and University Development and Alumni Engagement.
• Apply modern management techniques to coordinate staff and direct their work toward program goals.
• Develop and implement formative assessment plans for program effectiveness.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or higher-level degree.
• Five years of progressively responsible student services professional experience, including two years of supervisory experience.
• Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Demonstrated supervisory and leadership skills.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills to assess situations, interpret policies, and implement solutions.
• Experience working effectively with multicultural, limited-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with diverse constituencies.

Pay

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $84,000 - $98,000 per year. The final offer is calculated based on the candidate’s background and relevant experience.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).
• Educational benefits for eligible employees.
• Additional information available on the Cal Poly benefits website.