Associate Director - Accessibility Resources - TRIO - #261083

Western Carolina University•Cullowhee, NC

38d•Onsite

About The Position

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is funded through a federal TRIO grant, with an initial five-year funding period secured through September 2030. Continued employment is contingent upon renewal of grant funding. The anticipated begin work date is early January 2026. The Associate Director of Accessibility Resources-TRIO provides oversight for the day-to-day operations of the TRIO Disabled Student Support Services (DSSS) within the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR). Reporting to the Director of OAR, this grant-funded position serves as a key administrator in providing programs and services to DSSS participants who have documented disabilities and are low-income or have demonstrated academic need. The Associate Director also serves on the OAR leadership team and will work in collaboration with OAR administrative staff to accomplish unit goals and objectives. Primary responsibilities include overseeing academic support services and programs, collaborative strategic planning (aligning with OAR, Division, and University goals), program assessment, pre-advising, coordinating tutoring as needed, as well as other activities related to improving graduation and retention rates of students participating in DSSS. The Associate Director will also coordinate additional student services in collaboration with the OAR team, the Office of Student Retention, Financial Aid, Orientation, Admissions, Career and Professional Development, Advising Center, Academic Affairs, and other on- and off-campus partners. Responsibilities include communicating with internal and external stakeholders to enhance awareness of programs and services, and to convey purpose, objectives, and performance outcomes. Must be able to represent the unit at conferences, meetings, and on- and off-campus events. The Associate Director will also work alongside the Director and Assistant Director of OAR as a consultant, serving University faculty and staff to ensure accessibility, inclusion, and compliance with federal mandates, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), its amendments (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Requirements

Minimum of master's degree from an accredited institution in Rehabilitation Counseling, Disability Studies, Special Education, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Student Affairs, or a related field.
Five years' experience working with students with disabilities and/or disadvantaged students.
Knowledge and understanding of the needs of students with disabilities; disadvantaged, under-resourced, first-generation, low-income, or educationally underprepared students.
Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), its amendments, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as each relates to students with disabilities in postsecondary education.
Three years' administrative or supervisory experience, including budget management.
Sensitivity to and understanding of confidentiality, equity, and inclusion.
Effective communication and leadership skills.
A successful candidate must be able to communicate effectively with different populations and University constituents; collaborate with all segments of the University in identifying difficulties and barriers for students with disabilities; and provide solutions for problems preventing students with disabilities form achieving their academic potential. Must be a strong advocate for students with disabilities or physical and neurocognitive differences.
A willingness and ability to represent students in instances when traditional processes and strategies have not met with success.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations with a wide range of abilities, learning, and communication styles.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with other programs and departments.
Experience and knowledge of TRIO or similar programs.
Knowledge of ADHD, learning disabilities, autism and other neurocognitive differences.
Experience and knowledge of barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, medical conditions, or physical and/or neurocognitive differences; experience supporting individuals with disabilities, medical conditions, or physical and/or neurocognitive differences; experience building relationships with individuals with physical or neurocognitive differences.
Experience with TRIO/SSS programs, an understanding of disabilities or neurocognitive differences, and knowledge of student development theories and practices.

Responsibilities

Overseeing academic support services and programs
Collaborative strategic planning (aligning with OAR, Division, and University goals)
Program assessment
Pre-advising
Coordinating tutoring as needed
Improving graduation and retention rates of students participating in DSSS
Coordinate additional student services in collaboration with the OAR team, the Office of Student Retention, Financial Aid, Orientation, Admissions, Career and Professional Development, Advising Center, Academic Affairs, and other on- and off-campus partners.
Communicating with internal and external stakeholders to enhance awareness of programs and services, and to convey purpose, objectives, and performance outcomes.
Represent the unit at conferences, meetings, and on- and off-campus events.
Work alongside the Director and Assistant Director of OAR as a consultant, serving University faculty and staff to ensure accessibility, inclusion, and compliance with federal mandates, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), its amendments (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Benefits

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance.
Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire.
Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan.
Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses.
Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year.
Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately.
Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

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