Director of the Upward Bound Project

Director of the Upward Bound Project

McNeese State University invites qualified applicants for the position of Director of the Upward Bound Project. This is a full-time, 12–month, grant funded, unclassified position. The appointment is available to begin as early as August 3, 2026.

Position Number: U99161

Salary: $59,141 - $61,141 (non-negotiable)

Deadline:
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled.

For the application process, applicants MUST complete an electronic application and upload required documents listed below:

• Letter of Application (Cover Letter)
• Resume
• Three References (Include: name, phone number, and email address)
• Unofficial Transcripts

Only completed application packets including all items listed above will be reviewed. All job offers are contingent upon the successful result of a criminal background check and receipt of official transcript(s) if applicable.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the "APPLY" button at the top of advertisement to complete the electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

Required application materials WILL NOT be accepted after the deadline, if applicable. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Contact Information:

If you have questions regarding this position, please contact the chair:

Meghan Olinger at molinger

Office of Human Resources Contact:

Kim Dronett, HR Analyst/Recruitment kdronett or

Upward Bound is a department within the Student Services branch of the Division of Administrative and Student Affairs. The Project Director reports to the Dean of Student Support & Advocacy.

The Project Director is responsible for the following job functions:

• Recruit target students for program services
• Provide personal, career, academic, and financial aid counseling to program participants
• Conduct plan of student needs assessment and creates a plan of action
• Provide documentation to participants and their parents/guardian regarding the program, services, activities, and student responsibilities
• Manage the Upward Bound program by grant writing, selecting participants, managing, and tracking federal funds
• Build relationships between university and community to provide support for participants
• Update the tracking system
• Maintain accurate and complete participant records
• Implement all project activities toward accomplishing project objectives
• Conduct project evaluations
• Conduct all duties in a manner which provides a positive reflection of the University
• Hire, supervise, and coach staff according to university, state, and federal policies
• Create/modify departmental policies in accordance with university, state, and federal regulations
• Complete all reporting required by the Department of Education
• Complete all reporting required by the University
• Build a mutually beneficial positive working relationships with high schools and community organizations
• Build a mutually beneficial positive working relationship with counterparts at other universities
• Represent the department or University on campus and community committees as assigned
• Manage the program budget and assure that expenditures are in accordance with University and Federal regulations

Required:

• Master's Degree
• Five or more years' experience working in K-12 or higher education
• Three or more years supervisory experience
• Experience with program development, implementation, budgeting, and evaluation
• Familiarity with state standardized testing, college entrance exams, and high school graduation requirements
• Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds
• Experience counseling high school students on college preparedness
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant computer applications

Preferred:

• Prior experience working with the Upward Bound program or other TRIO program as an…