Project Director, TRIO Student Support Services

Project Director, TRIO Student Support Services

FSLA Type: Exempt

Salary Range: Grant-Funded Professional Staff

Reports To: Vice President of Student Success (Student Affairs)

Terms of Employment: Full-time, 12-Month

Opening Date: 03/04/2026

The TRIO Student Support Services Program (SSS) is a 5-year, federally funded (U. S. Department of Education), grant designed to support its participants’ successful achievement of a postsecondary degree. Participants of TRIO SSS are first‑generation, income‑eligible, or students with a documented disability (as defined by the ADA) and demonstrate academic need. The Project provides opportunities for academic development, assist participants with basic college requirements, and motivate participants toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education.

Areas of program services include academic tutoring, academic advising, counseling, financial literacy, graduate school preparation, mentoring, career readiness, and cultural exposure. The current grant cycle is 2025‑2030 and can be subject to change.

The Director of TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) provides strategic, administrative, and financial leadership and oversight for all aspects of the federally funded TRIO SSS Program at Paine College. This position has full authority as designated by the U.S. Department of Education and is responsible for developing, implementing, and administering the management of all project activities and services designed to support low‑income students, first‑generation college students and students with disabilities.

The Director ensures program compliance with federal regulations, supervises staff, manages the program budget and works collaboratively across campus to promote student success and retention. The Director advocates for and serves the target population while maintaining the program’s goals of good academic standing, retention, and graduation.

• Interpret and implement federal guidelines, objectives, and performance goals to ensure accountability and full compliance.
• Provide overall leadership and daily management of the TRIO SSS Program in accordance with the approved grant and all U.S. Department of Education regulations.
• Oversee the planning, development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of all TRIO Program services (advising, academic tutoring, student success initiatives, career readiness, graduate school preparation, financial economic literacy, cultural enrichment, etc.).
• Develop and maintain annual schedules and timelines to ensure delivery of grant objectives and activities.
• Advocate for the needs of first‑generation, low‑income, and disabled students.
• Serve as primary liaison with institutional leadership, faculty, staff, community partners, state association, regional association, and the U.S. Department of Education.
• Oversee the maintenance and upkeep of all TRIO Student Support Services communication outlets.
• Prepare and submit competitive grant application and interim and annual performance reports to the U.S. Department of Education.
• Ensure the approved grant is implemented as outlined.
• Conduct Program and College business in a professional and ethical manner that includes the College’s core values:
  Excellence, Appreciation of Heritage, Integrity, Fiscal Responsibility, and Service.
• Ensure that all activities are conducted within the established College policies, FERPA guidelines, and other applicable laws pertaining to grant management, education, and employment.

• Develop and manage the program budget to ensure compliant, effective use of federal funds.
• Monitor expenditures, coordinate procurement, prepare financial documentation, and maintain financial records in accordance with federal and institutional requirements including EDGAR.
• Submit annual program budget each year to the U.S. Department of Education for approval.

• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate program staff including Associate Director/Academic Advisor, Administrative Support Specialist, tutors, and mentors.
• Provide…