Director of ILEAD and Student Transition Programs

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The College of Engineering seeks a Director for two complementary, college-wide initiatives that advance community, belonging, and student success: Impactful Leadership for Excellence, Advancement, and Discovery (ILEAD) and Student Transition Programs within the Center for Engineering Outreach and Inclusion. ILEAD, launched in 2022, is a leadership development initiative that empowers staff, faculty, and campus partners with skills to foster a respectful, collaborative, and engaging community. ILEAD is delivered through focused, 60-minute live short courses open to Penn State faculty and staff across campuses and programs; participants earn digital badges recognizing their commitment to leadership and professional growth. Student Transition Programs support undergraduate engineering students as they transition from Commonwealth Campuses and outside institutions to the College of Engineering at University Park, collaborate with Commonwealth Campus leaders to support students completing College of Engineering degrees across campuses, and broaden participation by building pathways to engineering for K-12 learners. Current transition efforts include the Student Transition Engineering Program at University Park (STEP-UP), Jump Start (a four-week virtual summer program focused on math and physics preparation), and the Commonwealth Engineering Scholars Leadership Conference (a three-day pre-semester orientation for change-of-campus students). The Director will provide strategic vision and operational leadership across these portfolios, including program planning and delivery, partnership development, assessment and continuous improvement, and outreach to expand participation and impact.

We seek candidates eager to contribute within a community driven by impact and supported by the cornerstones of excellence, sustainability, social mobility, and equity. Through our College of Engineering Strategic Plan, we are committed to developing meaningful solutions to this critical challenge and to making significant strides toward a more diverse, inclusive community of belonging for all. 

Responsibilities include providing leadership for ILEAD and Student Transition Programs by (1) setting strategic direction and annual goals aligned with the College’s Strategic Plan; (2) coordinating and facilitating a portfolio of synchronous professional development short courses for ILEAD, including recruitment and support of instructors/facilitators and campus partners; (3) overseeing Student Transition Programs that support change-of-campus and transfer student success (e.g., STEP-UP, Jump Start, and the Commonwealth Engineering Scholars Leadership Conference), including collaboration with student organizations and Commonwealth Campus leaders; (4) overseeing program operations, including communications, registration/participant support workflows, and digital badge/credential processes as applicable; (5) developing and implementing assessment plans to evaluate participant experience and outcomes, using evidence to guide continuous improvement; and (6) strengthening visibility and engagement across the College of Engineering, Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses, University Extension Programs, World Campus, and affiliated programs.

Required qualifications include an earned master’s or doctorate (Ph.D. or terminal degree) in engineering, education, student affairs/higher education, or a closely related field by the start date; demonstrated experience designing, leading, and assessing professional development and/or student success programming; and a record of advancing inclusive excellence through collaboration, community-building, and evidence-based practices. At least six years of relevant experience is required.

Preferred qualifications include experience working with adult learners and/or undergraduate engineering students in higher education; expertise in leadership development, organizational development, engineering education, student transition/retention initiatives, or related areas; demonstrated success building partnerships across units (including with student organizations and campus leaders); and experience with micro-credentials/digital badges, program evaluation, and data-informed student success practices.

The successful candidate will be appointed as an Assistant Teaching Professor (non-tenure-line). To apply, please submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a statement addressing how past and/or potential contributions will advance Penn State’s Values, and contact information for three references.

This search is being led by Dr. Enrique Gomez, Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion and Professor of Chemical Engineering. Review of applications will begin on a continuing basis, with full consideration for applications submitted prior to May 20, 2026.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster

PA State Labor Law Poster

Penn State Policies

Copyright Information

Hotlines