Project Director, Educational Opportunity Center

University of Louisiana at Lafayette•Lafayette, LA

About The Position

The Project Director oversees administrative and support services for the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), recruiting and serving 850 EOC- and TRIO-eligible participants in Acadia, Evangeline, Lafayette (primarily Northern Lafayette), and St. Landry Parishes. The program operates under U.S. Department of Education regulations through a partnership with the Department of Labor and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The Director manages project expenditures in accordance with approved Department of Education guidelines and carries out activities described in the approved 2026–2031 project proposal and annual budgets. The position supports staff selection, supervision, training, and evaluation in coordination with the TRIO Department Head and Off-Campus Assistant TRIO Director. It establishes partnerships with community agencies to identify and recruit eligible adults, oversees timely federal performance reporting, and manages project proposals, process and summative evaluations, and service changes within federal guidelines. The Director also ensures compliance with Federal and University regulations, guidelines, and policies and promotes smooth program operation. The role serves adult participants, including people involved with the justice system and people from other vulnerable backgrounds, helping them earn a high school equivalency credential and/or enter post-secondary or workforce training programs that support financial self-sufficiency. It requires analyzing program data related to performance, college entry, retention, and graduation, as well as knowledge of collegiate, academic, and financial procedures, particularly assistance with the FAFSA. The Director is responsible for meeting participant enrollment and budget benchmarks.

Requirements

Master's degree in counseling, educational administration, psychology, communications, social work, or a related field.
At least five years of directly related experience serving first-generation or low-income pre-college or college-aged adults.
Experience managing multiple work teams within a large organization and coordinating team activities.
Experience working with participants from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to relate well to adult participants, including people involved with justice systems and people from vulnerable backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

Five years of experience counseling low-income, first-generation, or disabled students.
Five years of experience managing staff and a budget comparable to the proposed project.

Responsibilities

Oversee administrative and support services for the EOC and recruit and serve 850 eligible participants across the designated service area.
Expend project funds in accordance with Department of Education guidelines and approved project budgets.
Conduct orientation activities and staff development workshops, and prepare to identify and select eligible participants.
Assist the TRIO Department Head and Off-Campus Assistant TRIO Director with selecting, supervising, training, and evaluating staff.
Develop partnerships with community agencies to identify and recruit eligible adults who need EOC services.
Attend campus and off-campus meetings related to EOC operations.
Oversee the timely submission of project performance information for annual federal reporting.
Manage EOC proposals, process and summative evaluations, and service changes in accordance with federal guidelines.
Complete reports required by Federal and University regulations, guidelines, and policies.
Ensure smooth program implementation and operation, including meeting participant enrollment and budget benchmarks.
Support adult participants in earning high school equivalency credentials and entering post-secondary or workforce training programs.
Analyze data on program performance, college entry, retention, and graduation outcomes.
Apply knowledge of collegiate, academic, and financial procedures, including helping participants complete the FAFSA.