Program Director - Outreach and Strategic Initiatives

The University of Mississippi — fondly referred to as Ole Miss —stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacy of academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community where every member — student, faculty, and staff — can achieve their fullest potential.

Division of Student Affairs

This position plans, develops, and executes learning and development programs and strategic initiatives within the Division of Student Affairs. Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Access & Opportunity, the Program Director works collaboratively across academic and administrative units to address emerging institutional needs and to advance learning, engagement, and success initiatives. The incumbent designs and implements programs that support faculty and staff capacity‑building, with particular emphasis on equipping campus partners to support students from a wide range of backgrounds;

identifying and removing barriers to participation and achievement; fostering welcoming, supportive environments; and contributing to institutional efforts related to recruitment, retention, persistence, and completion. The Program Director establishes and implements goals aligned with divisional and institutional strategic priorities; develops and manages assigned budgets; creates assessment strategies to evaluate performance and effectiveness; and provides guidance and supervision for professional, graduate, and student staff.

• Develops and coordinates professional development conferences, workshops, trainings, and resources for faculty and staff, focused on effective student support practices and removing barriers to student success.
• Manages daily operations supporting faculty and staff learning and development, including the design, scheduling, facilitation, and evaluation of professional development experiences.
• Provides consultations to academic and administrative units to strengthen faculty and staff effectiveness in supporting student success and fostering welcoming learning and working environments.
• Plans and provides oversight of faculty and staff for awards and incentives that recognize efforts to enhance student support, improve access and outcomes, and expand participation across campus communities.
• Develops signature initiatives that support the recruitment, retention, and professional advancement of faculty and staff committed to student access, opportunity, and success, in collaboration with campus partners, including EORC, CETL, and other departments.
• Facilitates communication, collaboration, and networking among faculty and staff to cultivate cross‑functional partnerships that enhance student learning, development, and connection.
• Develops and coordinates professional development opportunities for Student Affairs professional staff and graduate students focused on student support, engagement, and institutional priorities.
• Leads and supervises professional staff, graduate assistants, and student employees.
• Creates strategies to evaluate and monitor progress toward divisional and institutional goals, including outcomes related to access, engagement, and student success.
• Analyzes qualitative and quantitative data to identify trends, inform program improvements, and contribute to annual, divisional, and institutional reports.
• Collects and analyzes data for assessment, reporting, recommendations, and proposal development related to student success initiatives, faculty/staff development efforts, and institutional effectiveness priorities.
• Supports the implementation of the Division of Student Affairs and institutional strategic plans related to student access, engagement, persistence, and success.
• Provides supervisory support to student ambassador programs, including selection, training, leadership development, and assessment.
• Serves as a liaison on behalf of the Division of Student Affairs to regional campuses, supporting communication, collaboration, and access to divisional programs, services, and resources that advance student success and engagement.
• Develops and manages assigned program budgets.
• Represents the division on university…