University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Employers By State in 2021.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement for all positions at the University of Pennsylvania. New hires are expected to be fully vaccinated before beginning work at the University. For more information about Penn's vaccine requirements, visit the Penn COVID-19 Response website for the latest information.
Posted Job Title
Director, College Achievement Program (Hybrid Eligible)
Job Profile Title
Director B
Job Description Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director of Penn First Plus, the Director of the College Achievement Program shares leadership within the Penn First Plus portfolio - the University of Pennsylvania's flagship initiative for the retention of students who are the first in their families to go to college and/or come from limited-income communities - through the day-to-day management as well as vision-building for student-facing programs under their purview. Through service as Project Director for the federally funded (TRIO) Student Support Services grant, the Director of the College Achievement Program is specifically responsible for ensuring compliance in meeting program assurances, maintaining files and eligibility documentation, and accomplishing program objectives for 700 enrolled students. Students enrolled in the College Achievement Program receive supplemental academic coaching and financial aid through a team of qualified professional counselors and their undergraduate mentor-partners.
The College Achievement Program team in turn, provides direct support for SSS-grant related co-curricula, working closely with the Associate Directors of Penn First Plus to build synergies across the portfolio of first-gen and/or limited-income student programs. Included within that portfolio is direct support of students in the Pre-First Year Program, a month-long summer bridge experience that all College Achievement Program students complete. Generally, given the nature of supporting our students, the incumbent is expected to work closely with each of the four undergraduate schools and other key campus partners to develop programming and address student needs.
In maintaining this program and its funding, the incumbent prepares federal, state, and departmental annual progress reports as necessary. The incumbent may also be tasked with completing the SSS proposal according to Department of Education requirements and timeline (every five years). Oversees and manages a $700,000 operating budget.
Job Description
Duties:
Oversee the delivery of a comprehensive set of services throughout the course of the undergraduate experience to 700 PennCAP students, which includes advising, academic support, co-curricular programming, and cultural enrichment activities, ensuring that at least 180 are eligible for and identified as participants of the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) component of PennCAP.
Hire, train and supervise 6 full-time staff and a cohort of seasonal/part time, graduate, and work-study student employees that support unit objectives.
Meet all University and SSS assurances, documented through annual performance reports for federal and institutional entities. Work with campus partners and experts to identify the appropriate metrics and collate the relevant data to assess the effectiveness PENNCAP's target outcomes.
Through Collaboration and Communication:
Collaborate in the planning and implementation of the Penn Pre-Freshman Program.
Collaborate with colleagues across Penn First Plus and the rest of the University to enable the PENNCAP team to produce student programming that promotes the excellence of students who are the first in their families to pursue the baccalaureate and/or come from communities with limited financial resources.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Master's Degree in Student Affairs, or an academic discipline, with at least seven years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
Supervision experience.
Excellent judgement. Excellent written and verbal communication
Strong administrative and organizational skills
Ability to be productive in fast-paced, deadline sensitive environment
Ability to manage multiple competing priorities
Ability to plan and implement programs and events
Demonstrated commitment to diversity
Experience working with lower SES students preferred
Experience with compiling detailed descriptive statistics - particularly for grant reporting - preferred
Application Requirement: A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed. Targeted Pay Range: $90-100K commensurate with education and experience.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hybrid Eligible - This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule with a work week divided between working onsite and working remotely.
Department / School
Provost's Center
Pay Range
$61,046.00 - $95,972.00
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.
Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.
Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay