MESA Program Director

CSU Careers•Bakersfield, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) Program supports educationally and economically disadvantaged students pursuing degrees in STEM disciplines by providing academic support, career development, transfer preparation, and leadership opportunities. The program promotes student success, persistence, graduation, and transfer to four-year institutions through comprehensive academic and professional development services. Under the general supervision of the NSME GO Director, the MESA Program Director is responsible for the day-to-day administration, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of the MESA Program. The incumbent develops and manages student success initiatives, monitors expenditures and assists with budget planning, coordinates academic support services, recruits and advises students, leads tutors and student assistants, prepares required state reports, and collaborates with faculty, administrators, and industry partners to ensure compliance with grant requirements and successful achievement of program objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in a mathematics-based, engineering, science, or related STEM discipline.
Two years of progressively responsible professional experience working with postsecondary students.
Experience coordinating educational or student support programs.
Experience providing academic advising, student success services, or related programming.
Experience managing projects, budgets, or grant-funded initiatives.
Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.
Regular and reliable attendance is required.
Working knowledge of student development principles and student success programming.
Working knowledge of grant administration, compliance, and budget-monitoring practices.
Skill in independently planning, organizing, and coordinating multiple projects and competing priorities using sound judgment and project management practices.
Project management skills.
Skill in collecting, maintaining, analyzing, and reporting program data and evaluating program effectiveness.
Ability to establish collaborative relationships with faculty, administrators, community organizations, and industry partners.
Ability to train, schedule, and provide work direction and oversight to student employees and tutors.
Ability to work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds and recognize and respond to differing student needs.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, student information systems, and database management.
Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure.
Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
Must be able to work occasional holidays and adjust working hours to meet special jobs.
May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in education, counseling, STEM, higher education administration, or a related field.
Experience administering state or federally funded grants.
Experience working in MESA, TRIO, EOP, STEM, or similar student success programs.
Familiarity with California Community College systems and transfer pathways.
Experience developing partnerships with industry and four-year universities.
Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

Responsibilities

Coordinate daily operations of the MESA Program by maintaining program calendars, activity schedules, work plans, reporting deadlines, and records of required grant deliverables.
Ensure compliance with grant requirements by applying established requirements to program operations, maintaining supporting compliance documentation, and bringing unclear requirements, potential compliance issues, or requested exceptions to the Director for resolution.
Maintain student eligibility and program records by reviewing records for missing or inconsistent information, obtaining necessary documentation, and protecting confidential student information in accordance with applicable requirements.
Prepare required programmatic, fiscal, and assessment reports by compiling narrative and statistical information, verifying data, coordinating contributions from program personnel, incorporating requested revisions, and routing reports for review and approval.
Monitor expenditures and assist with budget planning by compiling prior-year expenditures, anticipated program costs, and projected activity needs.
Initiate and track approved purchases and expenditures in accordance with university procedures.
Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend improvements by comparing program participation, service utilization, retention, and other established performance measures against grant objectives.
Identify trends, unmet targets, and operational concerns and recommend adjustments to outreach, services, schedules, or procedures for the Director’s consideration.
Recruit and admit eligible MESA students by explaining MESA eligibility requirements, services, participation expectations, and application procedures to prospective students.
Review applications and supporting documentation, determine eligibility based on established criteria, and refer unusual circumstances or requested exceptions to the Director.
Coordinate academic advising, tutoring, career development, and transfer activities by developing schedules, reserving facilities, communicating with service providers and participants, tracking attendance, and resolving routine scheduling or participation issues.
Plan workshops, industry speakers, field trips, and professional development opportunities by coordinating presenters, facilities, registration, materials, transportation requirements, participant communications, and event evaluations.
Develop student retention initiatives based on program data, student feedback, and identified service needs.
Implement approved activities, monitor participation, evaluate results against established objectives, and recommend modifications.
Collaborate with faculty, counselors, administrators, and community partners that support MESA students and program objectives.
Promote MESA services across campus through presentations, campus events, informational materials, email communications, web content, and other approved outreach methods.
Ensure that published information is accurate, current, and consistent with program requirements.
Develop partnerships with industry, universities, and STEM organizations.
Participate in collaborative grant development by compiling program data, describing existing services and outcomes, gathering partner information or letters of support, participating in planning meetings, and reviewing assigned proposal sections for accuracy.
Coordinate the recruitment and hiring process for tutors, peer mentors, and student assistants by publicizing openings, reviewing applications against established requirements, participating in interviews, providing recommendations, and completing required hiring documentation.
Orient and train student employees regarding assigned responsibilities, program procedures, service expectations, confidentiality requirements, recordkeeping, and appropriate referral of student concerns.
Develop work schedules, assign duties, communicate priorities and deadlines, and monitor staffing coverage for tutoring, outreach, workshops, and other program activities.
Review completed work, tutoring records, attendance documentation, and other assigned deliverables for accuracy and completeness.
Provide routine feedback and guidance and refer significant performance or conduct concerns to the Director.
Coordinate tutoring and supplemental instruction services by matching available tutors with program needs, maintaining schedules and service records, monitoring participation, and addressing routine scheduling or service-delivery problems.