Director - McNair Scholars Program - E99790

Location: Cheney, WA • FLSA Status: Exempt • Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm with occasional weekends, evenings, and special shifts

About the Role

Eastern Washington University is seeking a Director for the McNair Scholars Program. Under the supervision of Academic Affairs leadership and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, the Director serves as the designated Principal Investigator (PI) and primary administrator for the federal grant portfolio. This role oversees all aspects of the Ronald E. McNair Program’s daily operations, including designing and delivering services to ensure student retention, graduate school readiness, and enrollment among first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented college students.

Responsibilities

• Project management and oversight of the McNair Scholars Program, including fiscal management, compliance, and accreditation standards.
• Staff supervision and coordination of the summer program, including instructional design.
• Student counseling, graduate school coaching, and data collection/records management.
• Cultivating a network of faculty mentors and graduate school representatives.
• Development of grant proposals (on a five-year cycle) and preparation of annual performance reports for the U.S. Department of Education and EWU.
• Ensuring adherence to federal, state, and university regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Travel (air/land) as needed for program-related activities, including overnight and weekend trips.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in higher education administration, student development, counseling, social work, or a STEM-related or education-related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in staff supervision, budget management, program development/evaluation, and federal compliance reporting.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in collegiate teaching, administration, research publication, or working with federal TRIO programs or similar initiatives serving first-generation, under-resourced, and/or underrepresented students.
• Knowledge of TRIO or other higher education academic support programs and best practices for student retention and graduation.
• Experience planning, coordinating, and implementing services for underrepresented college students.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and educational access for historically underrepresented groups.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience with academic, career, and personal counseling/coaching, and financial literacy.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, and program partners.
• Demonstrated cultural competency, universal accessibility, and/or diversity promotion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional or personal experience overcoming barriers similar to those faced by McNair-eligible students.
• Experience facilitating graduate school readiness workshops.
• Familiarity with the PhD application and enrollment process, including graduate admission essays.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including health and disability insurance, and retirement plans.
• Generous vacation and sick leave accruals, plus 13 paid holidays per year.
• Tuition waiver for employees and eligible family members.
• Discounted EWU sports tickets and access to campus workout facilities at a minimal fee.
• Free transportation via STA buses.

Pay

$89,237 - $98,000 annually. Placement within the range depends on education, experience, and skills.

About Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University (EWU) is a regional, comprehensive public university with over 10,000 students. As the region’s polytechnic institution, EWU emphasizes hands-on learning leading to in-demand careers. The 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, WA, with additional programs in downtown Spokane and select locations statewide. EWU offers over 100 bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership. The university is recognized for its commitment to undergraduate success and serves students from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

EWU acknowledges the land of the Spokane Tribe and other tribes integral to the region’s cultural heritage. The university is committed to honoring tribal sovereignty, reflecting on historical injustices, and supporting the Native American community.