Assistant Director for Pre-College

Assistant Director for Pre-College and First-Year Experience

Employment Status:
Full Time

Months: 12

Campus:
Biddeford, ME

The Assistant Director for Pre-College and First-Year Experience serves as the primary staff member responsible for the planning, implementation, and assessment of the University’s Living‑Learning and Theme Living Communities. This individual will develop and implement a comprehensive programming model grounded in learning outcomes that promote the engagement, success, and sense of belonging of all first‑year students, including both residential and commuter populations.

In addition, this position supports residential, dining, and social/recreational programming associated with on‑campus pre‑college academic experiences for high school students. The Assistant Director reports to the Director of Housing and Residential/Commuter Life and collaborates closely with departments across the Division of Student Affairs, the undergraduate colleges, and units led by the Associate Provost for Student Success.

The successful candidate will develop and facilitate a wide range of educational, leadership, and social programs in partnership with campus stakeholders. This individual will foster a collaborative, team‑based approach to supporting first‑year student success, engagement, retention, and overall well‑being.

The Assistant Director is required to live on campus, participate in the professional staff on‑call rotation, and be available to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed to support departmental and university programs and initiatives.

• Develop, implement, and assess a comprehensive First‑Year Experience co‑curriculum that includes peer mentoring, Living‑Learning and Theme Living Communities, and educational, leadership, and social programming designed to promote student engagement, belonging, and success.
• Collaborate with academic and student affairs partners to plan, implement, and evaluate Living‑Learning and Theme Living Communities and other first‑year initiatives.
• Serve as the primary coordinator for first-year co‑curricular programs, working closely with the College of Arts and Sciences, Westbrook College of Health Professions, College of Business, and other campus partners.
• Coordinate the student life components of pre‑college programs, including housing, dining, and social/recreational experiences.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate student staff, including Resident Advisors, First Year Experts, work‑study students, and community assistants.
• Partner with Residence Life staff to support the training, development, and success of Resident Advisors and first‑year residential communities.
• Collaborate with the Director of Student Engagement and campus partners to plan and implement New Student Orientation, Weeks of Welcome, Convocation, Homecoming, and other signature campus programs.
• Develop and maintain marketing and communication materials for First‑Year Experience initiatives, including website content, social media, and promotional materials.
• Assist with student leader recruitment, selection, onboarding, and training processes.
• Work closely with the Associate Provost for Student Success and other campus partners to support retention, student success, assessment, and family engagement initiatives.
• Provide leadership in departmental planning, assessment, strategic initiatives, program development, and professional staff training.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with key campus partners, including Admissions, Academic and Career Advising, Safety and Security, Dining Services, Student Engagement, and Campus Center Operations/Recreation.
• Serve as an advisor to student organizations and provide guidance to students regarding academic, personal, behavioral, and community concerns, connecting them with appropriate campus resources.
• Serve as a University conduct officer and support student accountability and success through educational conduct processes.
• Participate in departmental and university‑wide committees, programs, and events, including Orientation, Convocation, Commencement, and other institutional initiatives.
• Participate in the professional…