Assistant Director, College Success (Career Readiness & STEM Engagement)

Department: University Life - Early Identification Program

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax

Telework Friendly: Yes

Salary: Starting in the low $60k's; salary commensurate with education and experience.

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

About the Department:

Early Identification Program (EIP) encourages first-generation college bound students to enroll in college and succeed once admitted. By providing academic, career, and personal/social resources, EIP promotes life-long learning through value in education, respect, ethics, leadership, and advocacy.

About the Position:

Employing an anti-deficit approach to working with First-Generation College Bound students, the Assistant Director for College Success- STEM Engagement & Career Readiness (ADCS) plays a pivotal role in ensuring students and their families are ready and prepared to successfully navigate secondary school and transition to a post-secondary institution. The ADCS is a thought partner to the Director, Associate Director, and program staff to help provide strategies for the implementation of best practices in support of first-generation college bound students throughout the region. Assistant Director for College Success- STEM Engagement & Career Readiness manages the provision of academic supports and enrichment activities, designed to increase first generation college bound students career readiness, and understanding of the college application process. Additionally, the ADCS co-manages programmatic efforts that support the academic success of program participants and assists in serving as a liaison to EIP’s public school and campus-based partners to ensure the administration of school-based programs are seamless, safe, and impactful. The ADCS also serves as an instructor for the EIP’s university transition course for program alumni attending Mason. The ADCS is expected to work occasional evenings and weekends and to facilitate site visits and school-based visits (when necessary). This role reports to the Associate Director.

Responsibilities:

• Co-manages, provides strategies, assesses, and facilitates the Academic Mentoring Program (AMP) for over 750 public school middle and high school students throughout the region;
• Provides direct oversight for all AMP activities at George Mason University SciTech campus, Arlington Public Schools (APS), Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS), Manassas Park City Public Schools (MPCPS), and Prince William County Schools (PWCS);
• Recruits, trains, and evaluates Academic Mentors, Teacher Hosts, Senior Transition Specialists, and community volunteers who provide academic, college/career, and personal support to program participants and assist in Academic Mentoring site coordination;
• Executes and assess College and Career Readiness (CCR) and strengths-based programming throughout the academic year and during Summer Academy;
• Executes workshops focusing on leadership development, strength development, service learning, standardized test-preparation, college planning, and soft skill development for program participants;
• Oversees the scheduling of career readiness activities such as Career Day and Professional Shadowing Day during the Summer Academy, including securing space for workshops, serving as/and securing presenters, and working with university and community partners to secure professional shadowing opportunities for program participants;
• Provides leadership and strategy in managing EIP’s STEM efforts including coordinating the STEM Fusion Program;
• Assesses the impact of STEM Fusion programming and assist in preparing reports for EIP’s stakeholders, inclusive of school and community partners and donors;
• Collaborates with the Associate Director of EIP and county coordinators to provide strategies on how to best recruit new students into the Early Identification Program;
• Coordinates outreach, recruitment and on boarding efforts for prospective and new students and their families, including school visits, scheduling and conducting informational sessions and tabling events;
• Provides leadership for the Institute for Excellence, including leadership programs within EIP, such as The First2Lead Academy and Youth Research Council; and
• Works with university and community partners to plan and execute EIP’s leadership Academy. This includes working with university partners to provide seminars that aid in the leadership development of first-generation college bound program participants.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experiencing working with students enrolled in K-12 schools in an area of counseling, education, or social work;
• Experience serving and supporting diverse student populations;
• Experience supervising a diverse staff;
• Knowledge of higher education, college access and student service functions;
  Knowledge of national and state educational trends impacting first generation college bound middle school and high school students;
• Understanding of college and career readiness trends;
• Knowledge of STEM programming and skill readiness;
• Excellent presentation skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service for students and families;
• Ability to think strategically, plan, and manage time efficiently;
• Ability to develop and assess learning outcomes and programs;
• Ability to work effectively with diverse constituents;
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment; and
• Valid Driver's License (required); must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with college access and preparation programs;
• Ability to work and collaborate cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment with a broad range of internal and external constituents including students, employers, alumni, faculty, and staff;
• Demonstrated ability to self-motivate and strong follow-through;
• Ability to engage in critical thought processes and problem solve;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively; and
• Ability to speak fluently in Spanish.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Assistant Director, College Success (Career Readiness & STEM Engagement) at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and provide a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

Posting Open Date: December 8, 2023

For Full Consideration, Apply by: January 8, 2024

Open Until Filled?:  Yes