Director of Mid-Michigan GEAR UP

Director of Mid-Michigan GEAR UP

Location: Grand Rapids Lettinga Campus OR Lansing Campus

Duration: (7 Years) October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2032

Status: Full Time

Reports To: Executive Director-Grant Development • Grants

Salary: $85,000 - $95,000 * Actual salary will depend on education and experience.

Description:

Mid-Michigan GEAR UP (MMGU), a Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for

Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Partnership grant initiative (CFDA # 84.334A), is a

federally funded grant program designed to provide high-quality education and enrichment

services for GEAR UP students in two cohorts, grades 6 – 7, attending low-income schools

across three partner school districts: Lansing School District, Ypsilanti Community Schools and

Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System. Reports to the Executive Director of Grant Development & Sponsored Programs.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master in Education or related field, doctorate preferred.
• Ability to travel among Davenport University campuses, partner K-12 school districts, and to attend conferences, trainings, and professional development events.
• 5 years of experience administering federal or state grant programs.
• GEAR UP grant leadership experience strongly preferred.
• 10 years of experience in program management / financial management / planning preferred.
• 10 years of experience in middle and / or high school and / or postsecondary education
• instruction, academic counseling or postsecondary readiness support.
• 3 years of experience supervising staff – both instructional and support staff.
• Experience coordinating partners to support education programs.
• Experience in postsecondary education readiness programs or postsecondary admissions.
• Experience working with low-income and / or first-generation college going students preferred.
• Willingness to attend and coordinate events outside of regular business hours, including evenings and occasional weekends, as required to support program activities and university initiatives.

Primary Activities / Responsibilities:

• Manage fiscal resources to ensure timely expenditure of funds / attainment of sufficient nonfederal match.
• Lead Advisory Board to encourage MMGU collaboration.
• Coordinate Multi-Layered MMGU programs / services across low-income schools in three Michigan school districts.
• Supervise up to 4 grant personnel to ensure quality of services.
• Sustain / expand partnerships to increase IHE, community and industry support.
• Oversee cohort enrollment management procedures and Cohort vacancy replacement efforts.
• Collaborate with partner districts to align MMGU with complementary district initiatives and academic standards.
• Manage annual MMGU Fellowship initiative.
• Facilitate communication between community partners, stakeholders, including school district administration, program partners, teachers and program staff; Coordinate data collection efforts across partner districts.
• Oversee recruitment of students, families and educators to ensure maximum impact of the project.
• Manage Annual Performance Reporting process.
• Collaborate with the evaluation team to evaluate outcomes, monitor progress, complete reports, disseminate results.
• Complete grant duties as needed to facilitate full implementation of the Mid-Michigan GEAR UP.
• Demonstrate and promote the University Cultural Values.
• Provide GREAT customer service, anticipating and exceeding the needs of our customers.
• Understand and abide by all external and internal regulations and policies. This includes NCAA, GLIAC and national affiliations associated within athletics or other role specific regulations.
• Demonstrate and promote the University Cultural Values.
• Perform other duties as assigned