Director, Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

About The Job

The Director serves as Principal Investigator and the central leader of the McNair project at the University of Minnesota Morris, with full authority and institutional support to implement the approved plan of operation and achieve the project's objectives. The Director is responsible for all aspects of the program — administration and federal compliance, recruitment and selection, academic and research programming, Scholar mentoring, budget, evaluation, and reporting — and serves as the program's primary representative to the U.S. Department of Education and to campus and external partners.

The project is currently in Year 4 of its five-year cycle (Year 4 ends on September 30th, 2026). A central, immediate priority for the Director is to lead the preparation of a competitive continuation application to secure the next funding cycle. This position is fully funded by the TRIO McNair grant, but the current award period runs through September 30, 2027, and continued employment is contingent on grant funding.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership, management, and administrative direction to implement the approved plan of operation and accomplish project objectives.
• Serve as Principal Investigator and primary liaison with the U.S. Department of Education; ensure compliance with all federal, state, and University regulations and policies, including the Uniform Guidance, EDGAR, and 34 CFR Part 647.
• Lead the preparation of the competitive continuation application to secure McNair funding for the next cycle.
• Direct participant identification, recruitment, selection, and retention to enroll and sustain a cohort of 25 Scholars.
• Partner with the faculty Associate Director to deliver the program's academic and research curriculum — the Research Success Seminar, the 10-week Summer Research Experience, and the Graduate Success Seminar — and oversee the coordination of faculty research mentorship.
• Conduct individualized "Road to the PhD" assessments; monitor, advise, and mentor Scholars' academic progress toward graduate admission and doctoral attainment.
• Convene and lead the project team — including the faculty Associate Director, Project Coordinator, and Student Ambassadors — and supervise project staff, providing orientation, training, and ongoing performance feedback.
• Prepare and manage the project budget with the Grants Development Office; authorize expenditures and ensure appropriate use of funds.
• Direct formative and summative project evaluation; prepare and submit the Annual Performance Report to the U.S. Department of Education.
• Maintain participant and alumni records and post-graduation tracking through doctoral attainment.
• Participate in state, regional, and national TRIO McNair professional activities, including the Council for Opportunity in Education and Department of Education technical workshops.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education, Social Sciences, Counseling, or a related field strongly preferred with at least three years of experience or BA/BS degree plus five years of experience.
• Experience designing, managing, and/or implementing TRIO McNair, undergraduate research, pre-doctoral, or similar programs.
• Experience providing direct service to undergraduate students.
• Training or demonstrated background in student success and retention.
• Demonstrated experience in program and curriculum development and program management, including staff supervision, budgeting, assessment, and reporting.
• Excellent administrative, writing, and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral or terminal degree.
• At least three years of TRIO McNair or similar professional experience.
• Leadership development training;
• College-level teaching experience;
• Grant-writing experience.

Pay And Benefits

Pay Range: $64,822; depending on education/qualifications/experience
Time Appointment: 100% Appointment
Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

About University Of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota Morris (UMN Morris) makes its home on a 121-year-old campus on the western edge of the state and is one of the top public liberal arts colleges in the nation. The small, close-knit campus emphasizes faculty/student collaboration in research, study abroad, and community engaged learning. Deeply rooted in the tall grass prairies of Minnesota, the campus also has advanced sustainable, environmentally friendly initiatives that have grown to levels of national leadership and touch nearly all aspects of campus life.

In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.

To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu