Assistant Director, Sallyport Fellows Program

Assistant Director of the Sallyport Fellows Program (SFP)

Special Instructions to Applicants:
All interested applicants must attach a cover letter and resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application in PDF format. Please note that the applicant tracking system does not successfully convert attachments submitted in Word format.

About Rice:
Boasting a 300-acre, tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system that supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of the Sallyport Fellows Program (SFP) provides hands-on advising, coaching, and other support to Rice first-generation/limited-income (FGLI) undergraduate students. Using a relationship-centered, proactive advising model, this position will work closely with FGLI students, guiding them in making the transition to college and achieving student-determined goals at Rice and beyond. Through holistic, student-centered advising approaches, the Assistant Director will be expected to employ proactive advising strategies, innovative learning methods, and coaching techniques to engage students, connect them with critical university resources, and facilitate their successful retention at the university.

The Assistant Director will also be responsible for tracking student progress and designing interventions to proactively support student success.

Ideal Candidate Statement:
An ideal candidate has a proven track record of success in advising high-need undergraduate students during their transition to college. Successful candidates possess strong communication skills, the ability to build and sustain rapport with students, and an understanding of the unique stressors faced by FGLI students in a competitive academic environment. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving capabilities, and the desire to be an individual contributor within a cohort of advisors are among the optimal skill sets for this position.

Workplace Requirements:
The role is largely Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; however, occasional evenings and weekends may be required during busy periods.

Workplace

Location:

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. This role requires working four days on campus and offers the option of one remote day per week. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range:
This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position with a hiring range of $60,000 – $65,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• 2+ years of related professional experience in a four-year college or university setting, including previous advising or coaching experience

Skills:

• Coaching and instructional skills, organizational abilities, attention to detail, and the ability to quickly assess the effectiveness of an intervention
• Knowledge of theories, including student development, learning and identity development, and experience applying those frameworks professionally
• Ability to problem-solve and support/advise students in personal and/or academic crises
• Strong communication and rapport-building skills, as well as experience collaborating with faculty, staff, students, alumni, families, and…