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Position Title:
TRIO SSS Assistant Director
Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Terminal (Fixed Term)
Job Profile:
Academic Program Manager
Job Duties:
Reporting to the Director of Student Support Services (SSS), this position is responsible for leading academic program initiatives and supporting the development, implementation, and management of the federally funded TRIO Student Support Services grant, administered by the U.S. Department of Education. This role ensures that program activities meet strategic, departmental, and student development goals. Key responsibilities include program coordination, content development, staff training, direct student advisement, and collaboration with campus stakeholders to foster student success.
Key Job Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Director of Student Support Services (SSS), this position is responsible for leading academic program initiatives and supporting the development, implementation, and management of the federally funded TRIO Student Support Services grant, administered by the U.S. Department of Education. This role ensures that program activities meet strategic, departmental, and student development goals. Key responsibilities include program coordination, content development, staff training, direct student advisement, and collaboration with campus stakeholders to foster student success.
Program Development and Content Creation – 50%
· Lead curriculum and academic initiatives, leading development and implementation of high-impact practices that support student retention, persistence, and graduation.
· Lead content development and implementation for TRIO SSS courses, workshops, and events including the Early Bridge Program. Responsible for consistency across all courses and programming.
· Supervise student Peer Mentors and Interns by managing recruitment, hiring, and training processes.
· Assist in strategic program planning, including recruitment strategies, service delivery, and assessment of program effectiveness.
· Establish and maintain partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure support services align with program and institutional objectives.
· Conduct evaluations and propose enhancements to programming course content and advising processes to maintain compliance with federal regulations and program goals.
· Coordinate staff onboarding and training in relation to programming, courses, and advising strategies and processes.
· Assist Director with the annual reporting for grants, contracts, and agreements.
· Coordinate programming and events that enhance academic and student development opportunities for participants.
· Assist with the development and revision of program documentation and forms as needed to support operations and participant success.
Student Advisement and Support – 45%
· Manage a caseload of students, providing comprehensive academic, psychosocial, career, graduate school, and financial literacy advising.
· Develop individualized academic and personal success plans for caseload of program participants, incorporating specific needs and aligning with SSS programming objectives.
· Monitor academic performance of caseload of participants and teach academic skills/learning strategies to enhance student success.
· Meet with students to assess and address personal needs, including financial literacy, academic challenges, and post-graduation planning.
· Plan, develop, and implement workshops, seminars, and events focused on academic success, personal development, social enrichment, career readiness, and graduate school preparation.
University and Other Services – 5%
· Serve as the chair of the First-Generation Celebration Committee and assist with planning and coordinating associated activities.
· Represent TRIO SSS in university-wide initiatives, ensuring alignment with grant-funded objectives and institutional priorities.
· Attend relevant professional development opportunities to stay informed about best practices in advising and program coordination.
· Perform additional duties and manage projects as assigned by Director to support the success of the TRIO SSS grant.
Department:
UW-Stout’s TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program provides supplemental academic support and services for its 550 student participants. The department strives to increase the retention and graduation rates of first-generation students, students who meet federal low-income criteria, and students with disabilities. The department is funded by three federal TRIO grants: Student Support Services, Student Support Services: Disability, and Student Support Services: STEM.
Funding for this position is contingent upon federal funding.
Compensation:
Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The University of Wisconsin-Stout does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. A successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment and for maintaining work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact our Human Resources office, Phone: 715.232.2149.
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum master’s degree required in education, educational leadership, counseling, public administration, student affairs or related field from an accredited college/university
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in the areas of staff supervision (student or professional staff), budget management, program development and evaluation, reporting and compliance with federal regulations
- Minimum of 3 years of experience with federal TRIO programs, academic support programs or similar programs for underserved college students
- Minimum of (3) years of experience advising and assisting SSS Eligible Students with post-secondary course selection, academic advising, financial aid information and processes, economic literacy, career development/obtainment, graduate school admissions
- Experience designing and implementing college-level courses in first-year experience or academic success skills content
- Professional or personal experience in overcoming barriers similar to those confronting SSS Project Participants
- Formal training and/or work experience in programming that promotes the annual retention, persistence, academic standing, and graduation rates of SSS Eligible Students
- Demonstrated ability to administer and manage educational opportunity related programs
- Formal training and/or work experience in effective student counseling or advising specifically in the areas of guiding SSS Eligible Students student academic and nonacademic goal setting and skill acquisition
- Knowledge of academic advising, career, financial aid and literacy activities and related services for SSS Eligible Students
- Ability to effectively maintain a caseload of Project participants and provide them with services and activities as indicated on their Individual Student Success Plan
- Knowledge of Disability barriers, accommodations, ADA
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience and/or knowledge in training, onboarding, or developing staff (student staff or professional staff)
- Experience and/or knowledge in strategic planning and program/course evaluations.
- Experience with and/or knowledge of engagement platforms and software such as: Blumen, PeopleSoft, Canvas, Canva, Microsoft Office Suite, EAB Navigate, Stellic
Education:
Master’s degree required in education, educational leadership, counseling, public administration, student affairs or related field from an accredited college/university
How to Apply:
Complete applications received by end of day, March 29, 2026, are ensured full consideration. Applications submitted after March 29, 2026, may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee or until position is filled.
To apply, click on the APPLY button or go to: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/careers-jobs
Due to system limitations, applicants may upload no more than five (5) attachments. Please combine documents where appropriate.
Required application materials:
Cover letter (* See below)
Curriculum vitae or resume
All final candidates will be asked to provide names, email contact information, and/or phone numbers for three (3) references, with at least one being from a manager or supervisor, during the interview process.
*Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications for this position as listed above. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.
Official transcripts for master’s degree required at time of hire.
Contact Information:
For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:
Search Chair: Jess Brooks
Email: [email protected]
If you need assistance with the online application process or if you submitted your application prior to uploading all the required application materials, please contact:
Search Coordinator: Dana Isaacson
Email: [email protected]
Guidelines to ensure consideration:
Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required application materials.
Within your cover letter address each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications specified for this position. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.
It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual's disability.
The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees.
Employment is contingent upon the final candidate’s completing a criminal background check and being cleared to work by the Human Resources Office. Employment is also contingent upon the final candidate passing reference checks and an essential job function test, as applicable. The reference check process includes asking the final candidates’ professional references questions regarding employee misconduct, sexual violence, and sexual harassment. Reference checks must be conducted at a minimum with three professional references, at least one of which must be a prior supervisor.
Final candidates with previous employment within the Universities of Wisconsin and State of WI agencies will be subject to additional reference checks.
In response to a public records request, the Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in their online application, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
UW-Stout is committed to providing safety and security of all members of our community in accordance with the Clery Act. For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/life-stout/police-and-parking/clery-information
UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
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