Upward Bound Program Director, Windham High School

About the Role

The University of Connecticut’s Center for Access and Postsecondary Success (CAPS) seeks a Program Director for the Upward Bound program at Windham High School. Based at the UConn Storrs Campus, the Program Director will manage and administer college preparation programming for first-generation and/or low-income high school students. The role involves hiring, training, and supervising staff; managing the program budget; ensuring compliance with institutional, state, and federal requirements; and evaluating program effectiveness. The Program Director will serve as a resource for students, staff, parents, and stakeholders on college access, educational equity, and postsecondary success.

Responsibilities

• Plan and administer day-to-day program operations, ensuring compliance with departmental, institutional, state, and federal policies.
• Develop and implement college outreach and preparation programming to increase postsecondary enrollment and persistence for underrepresented students.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise professional, instructional, and student staff; assign tasks and evaluate performance.
• Monitor the approved budget, prepare reports and projections in collaboration with fiscal staff.
• Ensure compliance with university, state, federal, and foundation operational, fiscal, and grant requirements; prepare necessary reports.
• Engage with school personnel, district leaders, and local/state education organizations to promote the program, recruit students, and enhance opportunities.
• Support parents/guardians in helping students navigate college and financial aid applications and transitions.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with university stakeholders, school/community members, and educational opportunity/TRIO organizations.
• Complete annual program evaluations and formative assessments; collect data, analyze outcomes, and recommend improvements.
• Assist in grant and development initiatives, including fundraising and writing proposals to secure resources.
• Travel to campus sites, UConn campuses, target schools, and community organizations as required.
• Work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 6-7 years of related experience; OR Master’s degree in a related field and four years of related experience. Two years must include advanced team leadership or project lead experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with first-generation, low-income, and/or underrepresented students in higher education.
• Knowledge of challenges faced by students from under-resourced schools and similar backgrounds.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience in college access programming and/or postsecondary preparation for K-12 students.
• Experience in budget and/or fiscal management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Administrative experience in strategic planning, budgeting, resource management, and staff supervision.
• Experience with organizational, institutional, state, and/or federal reporting.
• Experience in program evaluation and/or assessment.
• Experience coordinating professional development workshops and training.
• Strong administrative and organizational skills.
• Ability to identify and solve problems independently.
• Strong oral, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Grant writing and/or grant management experience.

Benefits

• Employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are outlined in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

Pay

Starting salary: $75,786.

Schedule

Full-time (35 hours per week), end-dated position with the possibility of renewal subject to performance and funding. Flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, are required.