Director of Neurodiversity Initiatives and Pathways Programs

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found

Position Purpose

The Director of Neurodiversity Initiatives and Pathways Programs supports learning though oversight of the AU Neurodiversity Initiative and Pathways Programs. This program provides personalized mentoring and coaching, social events, skill building and more, to neurodivergent college -capable students, allowing them to take full advantage of University life, develop executive functioning and social skills for pursuing career opportunities and ultimately lead an enriched life.

Core Competencies

• Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
• Upholds the Mission Statement: At Aurora University, our singular goal is to empower students to achieve lasting personal and professional success. We do this by being an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and purposeful lives.
• Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
• Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned, including voluntary participation in university committees, activities and events.
  
  

Essential Job Functions

• Lead strategic recruitment and enrollment efforts for an annual cohort of college-capable neurodiverse students, including development of supplemental application materials, coordination of inclusive and strengths-based interview protocols, and proactive outreach through sustained partnerships with local high schools, community-based organizations, and resource networks; collaborate closely with the Office of Admissions to align messaging, yield strategies, and enrollment goals.
• Design, develop, and continuously refine comprehensive career pathway models for neurodivergent students that integrate experiential learning, internships, and employment outcomes; align pathways with workforce needs and institutional priorities to support post-graduation success.
• Implement a comprehensive orientation and transition program, including pre-session experiences and scaffolded seminars, to support social and executive functioning development; ensure programming is regularly assessed and enhanced using student feedback, program data, and emerging best practices.
• Lead student-centered focus groups and listening sessions to inform program design, assess student experience, and guide continuous improvement of services, programming, and supports.
• Develop and sustain strategic partnerships with employers, community organizations, school districts, and workforce agencies to expand internship, employment, and cocurricular opportunities for neurodivergent students.
• Collaborate with academic affairs, student affairs, and institutional partners to build and maintain an integrated, interdisciplinary support ecosystem addressing academic success, executive functioning, social engagement, wellness, and residential life.
• Design and deliver professional development and training for faculty, staff, and campus partners to increase institutional capacity to support neurodiverse learners, including inclusive pedagogy, universal design, and neurodiversity-informed practices.
• Establish, oversee, and enhance a peer mentor program that promotes belonging, social integration, leadership development, and engagement in campus life, including recreation and wellness initiatives.
• Lead innovative program development by identifying, piloting, and scaling evidence-based and emerging practices that improve outcomes for neurodivergent students, including the use of technology, coaching models, and alternative learning strategies.
• Direct community outreach initiatives and summer programming to strengthen college readiness and expand awareness of neurodiversity in higher education among students, families, and community stakeholders.
• Supervise Pathways program staff, providing strategic leadership, coaching, performance management, and professional development to ensure high-quality program delivery and team effectiveness.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive assessment and evaluation framework to measure student outcomes, program effectiveness, retention, and career readiness; use data to inform decision-making, demonstrate impact, and support continuous improvement.
• Oversee program operations and budget management, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources and alignment with institutional goals and strategic priorities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned in support of divisional and institutional initiatives, including participation in committees, strategic planning efforts, and cross-functional projects.
  
  

Education

Essential Job Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in General Education / Autism Studies / Special Education/ Clinical Practices or other related field required
• Additional education and clinical certifications a plus
  
  

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years work experience in developing educational programs with learning and assessment outcomes required
  
  

Skills

• Solid understanding of Microsoft operating systems.
• Sound judgment and prioritization skills.
• Excellent written, oral, and presentation communication skills.
• Quick learner with great prioritization skills.
• Ability to work independently and be dependable.
• Ability to accept divergent views while maintaining a constructive working relationship with other team members.
• Commitment to and deep understanding of issues of diversity and inclusion in higher education.
• Strong appreciation for the diverse needs of all members of the campus community.
• Demonstrated competency in collaboration.
• Ability to motivate and assist students in developing long-term goals and coordinate this effort with faculty, staff, alumni, and employers.
• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills, and willingness to take initiative.
• Ability to travel when necessary to off-campus evening and weekend events, providing own vehicle.
  
  

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work with a computer for long periods of the day.
• Ability to attend off-campus meetings.
• Office setting, standing, walking, sitting.
  
  

Work Hours: Expected equivalent of 40 hours per week, but days/hours may vary as needed. Hybrid or work-from-home employment will be considered if the candidate can demonstrate the ability to fulfill this role effectively off-site.

Special Requirements

• A valid driver's license and driving record which meets institutional requirements is required.
• Requires travel between campus locations or to attend off-site meetings.
  
  

The anticipated pay rate for this position is $90,000-$95,000 per year. This compensation is subject to change at the sole discretion of the university, based on institutional needs.

The pay range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted amount the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The final pay rate will not be below the lowest pay rate listed herein.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Aurora University offers competitive, flexible benefits to eligible employees.

• Health Insurance Choice of HMO or PPO offered through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.
• Dental and Vision Insurance Choice of two dental plans and vision insurance offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Life Insurance and AD&D 1.5 times annual salary, dependent on age. Additional life insurance also may be purchased for self, spouse, and children.
• Long Term Disability 60% of salary, taxable and nontaxable options.
• TIAA Retirement Account The University offers a 403b retirement plan, administered by TIAA. Matching contributions offered first day of employment to eligible employees, at the discretion of the University and Board of Directors.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) FSAs are available for medical costs and dependent care costs.
• Paid Time Off Vacation, personal, and sick leave are provided to eligible employees.
• Holidays The university observes nine major holidays where the university is closed.
• Tuition Assistance Tuition assistance for AU undergraduate courses is available to eligible employees and eligible family members beginning the term following one (1) year of regular, full-time employment. Tuition assistance for graduate programs paid at 60% for employee following Senior Leadership approval.
• Tuition Exchange Consortiums AU is a member of the Tuition Exchange (TE) and the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP) enabling full-time employees and eligible family members to be eligible for tuition assistance at more than 600 universities nationwide. Eligibility for the CIC-TEP and TE programs is one (1) year of regular, full-time employment as of 8/31.
  
  

To see more benefits details and breakdowns please see our benefits guide

01

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Professional degree
• Doctorate degree
• Doctor of Philosophy
  
  

02

Do you have a any additional licenses/certifications?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

If so, please list them here.

04

How many years of professional experience do you have in developing educational programs?

• No experience
• Less than 3 years of experience
• 3 years but less than 5 years of experience
• 5 years but less than 7 years experience
• 7 or more years of experience
  
  

05

Briefly describe your experience developing career pathways, internships, or employment opportunities for students.

06

Do you have a valid driver's license and proof of vehicle insurance?

• Yes
• No
  
  

Required Question