What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Student Access and Support Services position at Middlesex Community College?
Company Description Middlesex Community College is a public institution with campuses in Lowell and Bedford, Massachusetts, serving a diverse community of learners. Founded in 1970, the college has grown and evolved across multiple sites, reflecting a strong commitment to regional access and educational opportunity. The Lowell campus includes facilities in the historic Kearney Square area, supporting a vibrant urban learning environment. Middlesex continues to expand its academic and performing arts spaces, including the acquisition of a former Boston & Maine railroad depot in Lowell. The college offers a wide range of programs designed to support student success, workforce development, and community engagement.
Role Description The Director, Student Access and Support Services is a full-time, on-site role based in Lowell, MA. This position provides strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of student access, support, and retention initiatives, with a focus on equitable outcomes for all learners. The director supervises and supports staff in areas such as advising, student counseling, and specialized support programs, ensuring services are coordinated, student-centered, and compliant with institutional policies. Daily responsibilities include developing and assessing programs, analyzing data to improve services, managing budgets, and collaborating with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and community partners. The director also engages directly with students to address complex concerns, advocates for resources that remove barriers to student success, and contributes to college-wide planning, policy development, and accreditation efforts.
Qualifications
- Student Counseling and Academic Advising skills to support students’ educational planning, personal development, and problem-solving.
- Program Management experience, including designing, implementing, evaluating, and improving student support initiatives.
- Educational Leadership and Student Affairs expertise to guide teams, shape policy, and foster an inclusive campus climate.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in serving a broad range of student populations.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and with external partners.
- Experience supervising professional staff, managing budgets, and using data and assessment to inform decision-making.
- Master’s degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Student Affairs, or a related field; community college experience strongly preferred.