Director of RISE

The Director of RISE (Remedying Inequity through Student Engagement) in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) provides strategic leadership for SBS RISE’s mission of providing support and guidance to undergraduate students who identify as first generation and/or economically disadvantaged within the College. SBS RISE fosters students’ sense of belonging and community; provides holistic support and mentoring to students’ needs in academic pursuits, personal and professional development, and other factors critical to the lives of undergraduate students;

and provides access to high impact practices and other resources for scholastic success.

Under the supervision of the Associate Dean for Education and Student Development, the Director establishes program priorities and leads the development, implementation, and assessment of RISE initiatives. Working collaboratively with SBS leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and University partners, the Director develops strategies to address opportunity gaps and strengthen support for RISE-affiliated students across the College.

• Provides strategic leadership and direction for SBS RISE, establishing program goals, priorities, and initiatives that advance student success, belonging, engagement, leadership development, and equitable access to academic and professional opportunities.
• Leads the development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of RISE programs and services, including mentoring, leadership development, internships and experiential learning, technology access, academic enrichment, and community-building initiatives.
• Oversees RISE signature initiatives, including the RISE Fellows leadership development and internship program, RISE Connects peer and alumni mentoring program, and technology access initiatives. Establishes program objectives, standards, and expected outcomes and ensures effective implementation.
• Identifies emerging student needs, opportunity gaps, and barriers affecting our students and develops responsive strategies, programs, partnerships, and interventions to strengthen student success and engagement.
• Develops strategies to extend RISE’s impact across SBS, collaborating with faculty, staff, and College leadership to strengthen outreach, resources, and practices that support students throughout the College.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with SBS departments and University partners to connect students with academic enrichment, research, internships, career and professional development, leadership opportunities, and other high-impact practices.
• Provides overall leadership for student outreach, engagement, mentoring, events, workshops, and community-building activities, maintaining appropriate direct engagement with students and ensuring that student perspectives inform program priorities and development.
• Establishes program goals and assessment strategies and uses quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate student outcomes, program effectiveness, and emerging needs; uses findings to inform program development, resource allocation, and continuous improvement.
• Partners with the SBS Development team to strengthen alumni engagement, mentoring, networking, and other forms of support for RISE programs and students.
• Serves as a resource and strategic partner to College leadership, faculty, and staff on matters related to the RISE mission and represents RISE on relevant College and University committees, working groups, and initiatives.…