Associate Director Mcnair Scholars

TITLE

Associate Director McNair Scholars

JOB SUMMARY

Texas Woman’s University is a proud participant in the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. The mission of the McNair Scholars Program at Texas Woman’s University is to inspire and empower McNair eligible students to succeed in research, graduate study and advanced careers. McNair eligible students include undergraduate first-generation students with financial need and underrepresented students of color enrolled at Texas Woman’s University. The position is responsible for coordinating McNair Scholar engagement in professional development opportunities internal and external to the program, planning program events, and leading campus outreach and recruitment activities. The Associate Director will create educational experiences, work to improve Scholars’ academic preparation for the attainment of a bachelor’s degree and provide academic support services to prepare them for graduate school. The Associate Director assists in the development and implementation of objectives, maintains accurate, up-to-date records, and documentation of assessment which includes maintaining a database, academic records, contacts, and evaluations. The Associate Director will maintain records relating to program events (receipts, agendas, attendance, etc.), and records of student travel.  This position is grant funded on a five-year cycle. It is preferred that the Associate Director be of similar background to that of participants.  Work is performed under general supervision and performance evaluation is based upon completion of assignments and results obtained. The performance evaluation is conducted through the performance evaluation system and in accordance with the University Policies & Procedures.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:      Project Director McNair Scholars

Supervises:     May supervise Clerical Employees, Graduate Assistants and Student Assistants

ESSENTIAL DUTIES -May include, but not limited to the following:

• Assists the Project Director with administering all project services according to Federal Regulations and provides leadership in implementing program services.

• Coordinates and/or supervises scholars' services and project events for academic success, graduate school preparation and enrollment.

• Assists Project Director with the recruitment, selection and monitoring of participants, and oversees recruitment strategy.

• Coordinates initial needs assessments and provides academic counseling and service referrals as needed.

• Maintains comprehensive knowledge of graduate school admissions procedures, GRE testing, and resources, as well as national research presentation opportunities.

• Maintains confidential advising notes for individual students, as well as track GPA, credits attempted, credits completed, and progress towards the completion of general education requirements and college major requirements.

• Assists participants with research and graduate school application needs.

• Maintains accurate, up-to-date participants' files and database records, including documentation of eligibility, academic records, contracts, exit information, follow-up information, etc.

• Assists Project Director in the preparation and/or administration of department and program budgets and ensures measurable attainment of grant objectives.

• Assists the Project Director with administering stipends to students who have successfully completed the research process.

• Researches and oversees vendor selection, performs pricing comparisons, and facilitates housing and meals contracts to coordinate the procurement of equipment, supplies, and services for McNair activities including academic symposia, the summer program, internship, and research project arrangement, participant stipends, participant travel.

• Works with Program Director to review applications or other program documents to determine acceptance or make decisions pertaining to the program.

• Prepares, submits, and follows up on status of program requisitions.

• Compiles data for reports and evaluation and assists project director with evaluation plan and in preparing reports for TWU interested communities, and Department of Education.

• Works with the project director to maintain the website, social media and alumni tracking system. 

• Coordinates conference travel for scholars and when needed travels with scholars.

• Travels (air/land) day, overnight, and/or weekends as required by the program's function.

• Exercises due caution and practices safe work habits at all times, ensuring personal safety and the safety of others.

• Maintains an active commitment to continued personal and professional development, as well as advocating for first-generation and low-income students.

• Serves as a responsible point of contact during federal audits and program reviews.

• Represents the program at institutional and professional level.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Performs other duties as requested.

EDUCATION

Master’s degree required, doctoral degree preferred in higher education administration, student development, counseling, social work, or STEM-related field from an accredited college or university.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum of three (3) years of experience providing academic, career, and economic literacy advising and assisting assigned McNair Eligible Students.

REQUIREMENT

Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.  

All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - The following are essential:

• Knowledge of TRiO programs or other higher education academic support program progressing students to college completion.

• Knowledge of student development and theory, student programming, and higher education procedures.

• Knowledge of federal guidelines, regulations, and legislation.

• Ability to coordinate programming activities and processes for working with students.

• Knowledge of academic programs and support services to include scholarly advisement, engagement, and graduate school/career counseling for the target population.

• Knowledge  of graduate  school  admissions procedures  and  resources and national research presentation opportunities.

• Ability  to track  and  follow Participants  ‘attainment,  retention, and successes.

• Knowledge of academic  advising and college,  financial aid, economic literacy activities, and related services for McNair Eligible Students.

• Ability to provide  advising to  McNair  Eligible Students  on the graduate school admissions and financial aid processes.

• Ability  to maintain  a  caseload of  Participants  and provide  them  with documented services and activities.

• Knowledge of barriers and challenges to postsecondary education faced by under-represented college students.

• Knowledge, understanding and sensitivity to issues that concern low income, first-generation students.

• Ability to work with an ethnically and racially diverse student population, including those at risk.

• Knowledge of and commitment to first-generation, under-resourced students and/or historically underrepresented in higher education.

• Skilled in providing academic, career and personal counseling/coaching. 

• Ability to cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff and program partners/allies.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally, by phone, in person, and in writing.

• Ability to represent the department and university in a friendly, courteous, and professional manner.

• Working knowledge of office practices and methods.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks as needed.

• Ability to use a personal computer and other office equipment, including related university software and email.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described in the Essential Duties and below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The employee may be required to travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment. 

SAFETY

TWU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources and Risk Management within 24 hours of the incident.

Texas Woman’s University, an AA/EEO employer, provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected category, class or characteristic.

All offers of employment will be contingent on the candidate’s ability to provide documents which establish proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Positions at Texas Woman’s University deemed security-sensitive require background checks and verification of all academic credentials.

If you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Under HB 558, enacted by the 76th Texas State Legislature, if you are currently of the age and gender requiring registration with Selective Service, but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for employment with an agency in any branch of Texas state government.  For additional information regarding registration or status, you can contact the Selective Service System at 847-688-6888 or www.sss.gov.

Salary: $60,000 Annually