Director of First Generation and Limited Income Services

Universities of Wisconsin • Madison, WI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of First Generation and Limited Income Services will oversee the development of strategies across the University of Wisconsin-Madison to support first-generation and limited-income students. This role includes supervising a dedicated team of full-time staff focused on these initiatives. The director will act as a central convener, bringing together institutional resources, partnerships, and programs to enhance student success and foster a sense of belonging. The director will guide the creation of cohort-based experiences, pre-arrival programs, mentorship models, peer networks, and initiatives that address the hidden curriculum. They will also serve as a referral resource, connecting students to relevant campus services and support systems. All efforts will be developed in close collaboration with academic departments and campus stakeholders to ensure holistic, responsive, and student-centered support throughout the student journey. This position embodies the spirit of visible, day-to-day leadership, empowering staff and enriching programming to make a meaningful impact in our community.

First-Generation and Limited-Income (FGLI) Services is a central hub for connection, support, and success for students who are the first in their families to attend college or come from limited-income backgrounds. The office provides a welcoming space where students can build community, explore campus opportunities, and access resources designed specifically for first-generation and limited-income Badgers. In addition to coordinating FGLI-focused efforts across campus, the unit creates meaningful opportunities for students to engage and thrive. Through programs, events, and collaborative initiatives, the unit fosters belonging and empowers both current and future first-generation and limited-income students to succeed academically, personally, and professionally.

Student Affairs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is led by the vice chancellor for student affairs. Our staff is dedicated to serving students and helping them succeed in and out of the classroom in areas including health and well-being, student success and belonging, leadership and engagement, and student advocacy.

Requirements

• Ability to build trust and rapport with students from diverse backgrounds, particularly those navigating college as the first in their family
• Familiarity with national trends, research, and promising practices in first-generation student success
• Experience designing and implementing student-centered programs, including cohort models, mentorship initiatives, or pre-arrival programming
• Strong understanding of institutional structures and the ability to collaborate effectively across academic departments and campus units
• Demonstrated ability to supervise professional staff and manage complex projects or initiatives
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills
• Commitment to fostering student belonging, development, and success through responsive and student-focused practices
• Demonstrated success building relationships and collaborating across multiple constituents and stakeholders working towards a shared purpose
• A Bachelor's Degree in a related field is required.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience working directly with first-generation college students in a higher education setting
• Deep understanding of the challenges and barriers commonly faced by first-generation and limited-income students, including academic, social, financial, and cultural factors
• Experience developing programs or initiatives that address the hidden curriculum, foster belonging, and support transition and persistence for first-generation students
• Experience or background in need-based aid and basic needs initiatives
• A master's Degree is preferred, particularly with a focus on postsecondary education, student development, or organizational leadership.

Responsibilities

• Directs strategic planning initiatives and establishes objectives to ensure appropriate use of financial, administrative and staffing resources, and alignment with the strategic plan
• Develop assessment strategies that consider campus-wide inventory of FGLI-related services, supports, and initiatives to identify gaps, reduce duplication, and promote visibility.
• Develops and audits the budget
• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
• Develops operating policies and procedures to comply with regulations, institutional policies, and objectives
• Shape institutional strategy for supporting first-generation and limited-income students by aligning departmental goals with broader university priorities related to access, retention, and student flourishing
• Serve as a strategic thought partner in institutional planning efforts related to access, retention, and student flourishing, ensuring FGLI perspectives are integrated into broader student success frameworks.
• Coordinate cross-functional working groups with academic departments, financial aid, advising, and student life to align institutional practices with the needs of FGLI students.
• Serves as the liaison by collaborating with internal and external stakeholder groups and providing organizational information

Benefits

• generous paid time off
• competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance
• tax-advantaged savings accounts
• participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees