Assistant Director Transition Programs & Inititatives

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, NC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Transition Programs & Initiatives (TPI) serves as a key member of the department’s leadership team and plays a critical role in advancing the success, engagement, and persistence of undergraduate first-generation college students at the University of Arkansas. This position leads the design, coordination, and assessment of programs that support first-generation students as they transition into and through the university, with an emphasis on extended orientation, connection to campus resources, and sustained engagement beyond the first semester. The Assistant Director collaborates with campus partners to develop and implement high-impact initiatives that address the unique experiences of first-generation students, foster a sense of belonging, and support academic, personal, and social development. This role also contributes to broader TPI initiatives, ensuring that first-generation student success is meaningfully integrated across the undergraduate experience. In addition, the Assistant Director provides leadership in the recruitment, selection, training, and supervision of undergraduate and graduate student staff. The position remains informed on emerging trends and best practices in student transition and first-generation student success, using data and assessment to inform continuous program improvement. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential function of this role, as is the ability to build and maintain collaborative, respectful working relationships across the university community.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Social Work, or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher education
• At least one year of relevant experience (including graduate assistantships) in orientation, transition, or retention programming in higher education
• Experience planning and implementing programs that support undergraduate student success
• Experience supervising undergraduate students in paid and/or volunteer roles

Nice To Haves

• At least two or more years of progressively responsible experience in higher education/student affairs at the coordinator, assistant director, or similar level
• Direct experience developing, implementing, and assessing extended orientation and/or transition programs
• Experience supporting first-generation college students or similar student populations
• Experience collaborating with campus partners to implement educational initiatives
• Experience collecting, interpreting, and applying student success data to improve programs and services

Responsibilities

• Leads the design, coordination, and assessment of programs that support first-generation students as they transition into and through the university, with an emphasis on extended orientation, connection to campus resources, and sustained engagement beyond the first semester.
• Collaborates with campus partners to develop and implement high-impact initiatives that address the unique experiences of first-generation students, foster a sense of belonging, and support academic, personal, and social development.
• Contributes to broader TPI initiatives, ensuring that first-generation student success is meaningfully integrated across the undergraduate experience.
• Provides leadership in the recruitment, selection, training, and supervision of undergraduate and graduate student staff.
• Remains informed on emerging trends and best practices in student transition and first-generation student success, using data and assessment to inform continuous program improvement.

Benefits

• University contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• Immediate leave accrual
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees