Director, Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

About the Job

The Director serves as Principal Investigator and the central leader of the McNair project at the University of Minnesota Morris, with full authority and institutional support to implement the approved plan of operation and achieve the project's objectives. The Director is responsible for all aspects of the program - administration and federal compliance, recruitment and selection, academic and research programming, Scholar mentoring, budget, evaluation, and reporting - and serves as the program's primary representative to the U.S. Department of Education and to campus and external partners.

The Director leads a project team that includes a faculty Associate Director (24% time), and will collaborate with other campus partners.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

• Provide overall leadership, management, and administrative direction to implement the approved plan of operation and accomplish project objectives.
• Serve as Principal Investigator and primary liaison with the U.S. Department of Education; ensure compliance with all federal, state, and University regulations and policies, including the Uniform Guidance, EDGAR, and 34 CFR Part 647.
• Lead the preparation of the competitive continuation application to secure McNair funding for the next cycle.
• Direct participant identification, recruitment, selection, and retention to enroll and sustain a cohort of 25 Scholars.
• Partner with the faculty Associate Director to deliver the program's academic and research curriculum - the Research Success Seminar, the 10-week Summer Research Experience, and the Graduate Success Seminar - and oversee the coordination of faculty research mentorship.
• Conduct individualized "Road to the PhD" assessments; monitor, advise, and mentor Scholars' academic progress toward graduate admission and doctoral attainment.
• Convene and lead the project team - including the faculty Associate Director, Project Coordinator, and Student Ambassadors - and supervise project staff, providing orientation, training, and ongoing performance feedback.
• Prepare and manage the project budget with the Grants Development Office; authorize expenditures and ensure appropriate use of funds.
• Direct formative and summative project evaluation; prepare and submit the Annual Performance Report to the U.S. Department of Education.
• Maintain participant and alumni records and post-graduation tracking through doctoral attainment.
• Participate in state, regional, and national TRIO McNair professional activities, including the Council for Opportunity in Education and Department of Education technical workshops.

• Master's degree in Education, Social Sciences, Counseling, or a related field strongly preferred with at least three years of experience or BA/BS degree plus five years of experience.
• Experience designing, managing, and/or implementing TRIO McNair, undergraduate research, pre-doctoral, or similar programs.
• Experience providing direct service to undergraduate students.
• Training or demonstrated background in student success and retention.
• Demonstrated experience in program and curriculum development and program management, including staff supervision, budgeting, assessment, and reporting.
• Excellent administrative, writing, and oral communication skills.

• Doctoral or terminal degree.
• At least three years of TRIO McNair or similar professional experience.
• Leadership development training; college-level teaching experience; grant-writing experience.

Pay Range: $64,822; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with…