Director, First-Gen+ Center

George Mason University•Fairfax, VA

4d•$100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of the First-Gen+ Center promotes a campus community that engages in issues of wellbeing, belonging, and access. The position fosters an institutional culture that advances all-inclusive events, community connection, and advocacy for the needs of student communities who have traditionally low graduation, retention, and matriculation rates. This position collaborates with institutional and community stakeholders to strengthen awareness, policy, advocacy, and student success for these populations. The Director provides leadership on intersectional outreach, contemporary educational best practices, and student-centered advocacy. This role also develops educational opportunities and preparedness for units, colleges, and schools to effectively support and foster growth for First-Gen+ students in achieving their educational goals, identity development, engagement, and personal enrichment.

Requirements

Master’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
Progressive experience in higher education or a closely related field, typically obtained in 5+ years
Demonstrated experience advancing student success through advising, program development, or student engagement initiatives
Experience supervising professional, graduate, or undergraduate staff
Experience overseeing budgets, resource allocation, and fiscal accountability
Experience assessing programs, reporting outcomes, and using data to inform planning and improvement
Experience collaborating across departments or functional areas to achieve institutional goals
Knowledge of student development, advising, and retention practices that support student success in higher education
Skill in developing, implementing, and evaluating programs that foster belonging and engagement among diverse student populations
Effective communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills across functional areas and stakeholder groups
Ability to lead and motivate teams, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages professional growth, accountability, and a shared commitment to student success
Attributes that display professional judgment, adaptability, and commitment to supporting students through a student-centered approach.

Nice To Haves

Progressive experience in higher education with leadership responsibility in student success, access, or engagement initiatives
Experience leading or contributing to cross-unit or institution-wide initiatives that advance retention, persistence, and student achievement
Experience fostering partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to expand resources and opportunities for students
Experience supervising professional, graduate, and undergraduate staff in a student-centered environment
Experience using assessment and reporting to demonstrate impact and support divisional and institutional priorities
Demonstrated leadership experience in mentoring and developing professional, graduate, and undergraduate staff
Knowledge of institutional systems and practices that advance retention, persistence, and completion goals
Skills in strategic planning, policy development, and cross-unit coordination
Ability to design and facilitate educational initiatives that strengthen the capacity of faculty, staff, and community partners to support student success
Attributes that display commitment to collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based approaches that enhance student outcomes.

Responsibilities

Develops and implements the strategic vision for the First-Gen+ Center as a key component of the Retention and Student Success Journey Team to provide consistent leadership that drives holistic support and improves the academic and personal success of First-Gen+ students;
Ensures alignment of programs, services, and initiatives with University Life and institutional goals related to belonging, persistence, and student success;
Advises the Assistant Vice President on emerging needs and trends affecting first-generation, immigrant, refugee, and limited-income students with recommendations to support informed decisions that address the evolving needs of First-Gen+ students;
Leads departmental planning, assessment, and reporting to demonstrate measurable outcomes and impact and ensure programs are effective, accountable, and aligned with student success goals;
Responsible for the departmental budget, including fiscal planning, resource allocation, and financial oversight to ensure responsible stewardship and alignment with institutional priorities; and
Provides leadership and direction for efforts that strengthen the engagement, retention, and achievement of First-Gen+ students through intentional programming, community-building initiatives, and advocacy.
Serves as a campus and community liaison to strengthen partnerships with external organizations dedicated to student affairs and support for first generation students to enhance Mason’s programming and visibility;
Builds collaborative relationships across academic and administrative units within the university to ensure comprehensive and coordinated support;
Partners with external stakeholders including alumni, community organizations, and industry partners to create a coordinated network of support that enhances students’ academic progress, career readiness, and overall wellbeing;
Designs and delivers educational programs that build capacity among faculty, staff, and community partners to effectively support First-Gen+ populations;
Collaborates on university-wide retention strategies, summits, and initiatives that advance the Student Journey Team’s priorities to support students’ academic progress, engagement, and overall wellbeing; and
Represents University Life on institutional committees, task forces, and initiatives that promote student achievement and inclusion.
Provides leadership and mentoring to full-time, graduate, and undergraduate staff to foster professional growth and a culture of excellence within the First-Gen+ Center;
Sets clear performance expectations, goals, and deadlines aligned with the unit, divisional, and university strategic plans; Communicates expectations effectively and provides continuous feedback to support staff growth and accountability;
Oversees recruitment, hiring, training, and performance development within the First-Gen+ Center to ensure the First-Gen+ Center attracts, develops, and retains talented staff who are equipped to provide high-quality, impactful support for First-Gen+ students; and
Fosters a collaborative, learning-focused environment that emphasizes student-centered service, professional growth, and cross-unit integration within University Life.
Contributes to divisional and institutional priorities through active participation in University Life initiatives, events, and collaborative projects, including in-person divisional events including all-staff meetings, trainings, and symposium;
Engages in professional development, committee service, and other strategic efforts that advance the mission of the division and the broader goals of the university; and
Responds to emerging needs and opportunities as they arise to support the continued success of students and the division.