Director of TRIO Student Support Services Program

Location:

North Adams, MA

Category:
Administrative

Job Type: Full-time

Posted On:
Thu Oct 1 2026

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
The Program Director for the TRIO Student Support Services Program (SSS) oversees a U.S. Department of Education grant-funded program providing comprehensive academic and holistic services to college students to support their academic, social, personal development, and well-being needs. Students served by TRIO SSS are first generation, come from a low-income background, and/or have a disability. The Project Director will lead the development, implementation, administration, assessment, staffing, models, and activities of the program in accordance with federal regulations, grant objectives, and MCLA strategic priorities.

The Program Director helps advance an institution-wide collaborative model for TRIO SSS.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Reports to the Dean of the Library and Integrated Student Support

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Supervises TRIO program staff and student employees

• Oversee the strategic planning, administration, assessment, reporting, and implementation of the TRIO SSS grant in accordance with USDOE TRIO SSS rules and regulations and in alignment with MCLA priorities.
• Manage the program budget and authorize expenditures of federal funds in collaboration with involved departments and offices.
• Complete and submit the project's Annual Performance Report (APR) in accordance with USDOE instructions and with support from MCLA collaborators including Institutional Research, Grants staff, and TRIO SSS program staff,.
• Collaboratively develop and implement a recruitment and persistence plan for TRIO students; assure equal access to project services for all project participants; develop and scaffold tiered engagement and intervention strategies and activities that are universal and customized in design, as well as impactful in closing equity gaps.
• Supervise the selection/eligibility of TRIO SSS program participants according to SSS guidelines; collect and maintain program data and prepare reports as required by the USDOE and MCLA.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, professionally support, and evaluate TRIO project staff and student employees.
• Allocate advising and engagement caseloads among the director and project staff.
• Provide academic coaching, encouragement, and support to 160+ program participants.
• Apply principles of appreciative advising and active learning to build rapport, engagement and trust with students.
• Help students design and implement academic success plans that include goals and objectives and address areas of need. Support successful goal completion and monitor student progress toward established goals.
• May serve on the MCLA CARE/case management team and/or the Academic Appeals Committee
• Plan and facilitate program-sponsored events in collaboration with TRIO SSS project staff and campus partners. Coordinate with Student Affairs on activities for first-generation students.
• Establish and maintain liaison relationships and collaborations with offices and units across divisions to facilitate referrals, awareness, and collaboration.
• Lead and participate in committees and work groups that align with project goals and objectives.
• Participate in college-wide initiatives and signature events.
• Coordinate public relations initiatives for TRIO SSS; foster an institutional climate in support of the project's mission, goals, and objectives; promote an inclusive culture and community.
• Disseminate USDOE and TRIO SSS-related information to broaden familiarity with TRIO SSS.
• Serve as the university representative for TRIO with the US Department of Education.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in…