Assistant Director for First Generation College Student Success

Assistant Director for First Generation College Student Success

City:
Hammond

• $55,000 - $60,000

The Educational Opportunity Programs at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is seeking an Assistant Director for First-Generation Student Success to join their team. The Assistant Director for First-Generation Student Success supports the development, coordination, and delivery of programs and services that promote the retention, engagement, and success of first-generation college students. This role oversees the day-to-day operations of the First-Gen Student Success Center, including supervision of student staff and monitoring of student engagement to inform programming and services.

The Assistant Director provides holistic advising, coaching, and support to students; assists with the implementation of retention and engagement initiatives; and contributes to data collection, assessment, and reporting efforts to guide continuous improvement. This position collaborates with campus partners, serves on institutional committees (e.g., First-Gen Steering Committee and Navigate Care Team), and helps build partnerships that advance a coordinated, student-centered approach to success.

• Center Operations & Student Staff Supervision:
  • Support the day-to-day operations of the First-Gen Student Success Center, ensuring a welcoming and resource-rich environment.
  • Supervise student workers, including hiring, training, scheduling, and oversight of daily responsibilities.
  • Track and monitor student engagement within the center (e.g., usage, participation, and trends) to inform programming, staffing, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Program Development & Implementation:
  • Assisting with developing and implementing retention programs and initiatives to ensure that first-gen students persist and graduate. This may involve creating mentoring programs, workshops, and peer support networks.
• Student Support & Engagement:
  • Provide holistic advising, coaching, and mentoring to support the success and persistence of first-generation and underrepresented students, including developing individualized success plans and connecting students to campus resources.
  • Plan and implement engagement initiatives and monitor student progress through outreach and collaboration with campus partners.
• Data, Assessment & Reporting:
  • Assist with the collection, tracking, and organization of student success data to support program evaluation and continuous improvement.
  • Monitor first-generation student engagement and collaborate with campus partners to advance data-informed practices that improve student outcomes.
• Campus Collaboration & Partnerships:
  • Collaborate with campus departments and offices—including Admissions, Educational Opportunity Programs, and Academic Affairs—to ensure a coordinated approach to supporting first-generation students.
  • Serve on the First-Gen Steering Committee and the Navigate Care Team to support cross-campus student success initiatives and coordinated interventions.
  • Build and maintain partnerships with local communities and organizations to create pathways that support access, persistence, and success for first-generation students.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

• Full benefits – Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Retirement, Life Insurance and more
• Accrue 15 days’ vacation your first year, then 22 days’ vacation your 2nd year plus rollover
• University contribution of 10% to retirement (3 year waiting period)
• University contributions to Health Savings Account –
• Plus a chance to earn more through participating in University Wellness Initiatives
• 10 paid holidays
• Employee Wellness Programs
• Paid Parental Leave after one year of service
• Tuition remission for you, your spouse and…