Assistant Director for First-Gen+ Center

Overview

Job Title: Assistant Director for First-Gen+ Center

Department: University Life

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary range starting mid $60k; commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

Posting Open Date: November 4, 2025

Open Until Filled: Yes

The First-Gen+ Center serves as an accessible starting point for students and their families to understand and connect with relevant university resources. The team prioritizes data to better understand the student experience and proactively works toward improving the campus to be "first-gen ready" throughout each university area. We work to enhance the collegiate experience through services, programs, policy awareness, and educating the campus community.

Staff on the team collaborate across campus and beyond to streamline resources and support for students, including participating at local and national levels to share practical and scholarly content as a catalyst for institutions to broaden their work.

The Assistant Director for First-Gen+ Center focuses on the support and development of college-going students. This role centers on student transition into college through summer bridge programs and initiatives that aid retention and success of college students.

As a part of the First-Gen+ Center, this position has a strong understanding of college preparation programs and familiarity with first-generation and low-income students and the intersecting identities of students who are pursuing and/or enrolled in colleges and universities in the United States. This position reports to the Director of the First-Gen+ Center and is a part of a team of three (3) full-time Assistant Directors within the department.

The Assistant Director for First-Gen+ Center is responsible for the planning and implementation of a multi-year summer bridge program - Student Transition Empowerment Program (STEP). This initiative is a longstanding tradition and retention support program within the university which successfully prepares students to succeed  addition to the coordination of the summer program, this position coordinates multi-year events and initiatives for students who complete the program to support them through graduation and beyond.

Program Development and Implementation

• Develops campus and community events and awareness campaigns that support the development of a sense of belonging within the first-generation student, faculty, and staff communities;
• Develops and coordinates the logistics, outcomes, and evaluation of all programs and uses evaluation results to improve future programs and initiatives; and
• Supports program implementation through event execution, including event setup and breakdown, supply transport, and other related tasks.

Awareness Building and Outreach

• Serves as primary contact for the department regarding outreach activities, including presence at orientation activities, academic and student services outreach, and presentations;
• Develops and provides information guides to campus partners to increase knowledge and understanding of First-Gen+ services;
• Designs, implements, and evaluates annual outreach activities such as First-Gen week; and
• Provides support for campus-wide efforts to support first generation college students through participation in the First-Generation Students Task Force and First-Gen Faculty and Staff group.

Student Leadership Development and Direct Student Support

• Designs program curriculum and assessments, and updates existing content as needed to ensure effective learning for all mentor program participants;
• Advises and meets individually with students to support their transition to college and provide guidance on academics and personal development; some meetings are recurring (e.g., bi-weekly, weekly, monthly) and others are one-time meetings;
• Provides professional support, mentorship, and connection to resources and programs…