Director, Center for Scholars

The California State University; Fullerton (CA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

California State University, Fullerton is seeking a Director for the Center for Scholars. This administrator II role leads scholarship programs, staff, and operations while coordinating assessment and fundraising efforts. A strong focus on inclusivity and student success guides the program.

The role reports to the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and works across divisions to support retention and achievement for diverse student populations.

Qualifications

• Master's degree and 5+ years of supervisory/program administrator experience on a university campus.
• Experience working with a diverse student body is essential.
• Ability to develop, coordinate, and track initiatives; coordinate program assessment; provide counseling and guidance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee scholarship programs and expansion including multiple scholars initiatives.
• Manage daily operations of the Center for Scholars and related activities.
• Develop guidelines, procedures, and evaluate program scope and direction.
• Assist with fundraising and donor relations and coordinate recruitment efforts.

Skills

Public speaking

Verbal communication

Written communication

Leadership

Fundraising

Education

Master's degree

Doctorate degree (preferred)

Tools

MS Office

Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Job no: 561291
Work type: Management (MPP)
Location: Fullerton
Categories: MPP, Administrative, At-Will, Full Time

Job Title

Director, Center for Scholars

Classification

Administrator II

Auto Req. ID

561291

Salary Range

(Hiring range depending on qualifications, not anticipated to exceed $8,200 - $10,200 per month)

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Why CSUF

California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) is a leading public university committed to student success, academic excellence, and inclusive excellence. The university fosters a collaborative environment that supports teaching, research, and service while promoting innovation and professional growth. Cal State Fullerton is both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, and a recipient of the Seal of Excelencia (2021 and 2024) from Excelencia in Education. Joining Cal State Fullerton means becoming part of a community dedicated to advancing student achievement, career success, and economic mobility.

Department

The Center for Scholars within the Division of Student Affairs serves a remarkable group of resilient and ambitious students that come from various backgrounds. From their first day on campus, they are encouraged to get involved and become integral and well-rounded leaders in the Titan community. Our Titans achieve their academic goals and develop the confidence and skills to become effective leaders, cohesive team members, and inspiring role models. We seek to instill a sense of citizenship and commitment in our students, inspiring them to reach out to those around them through service and mentorship. Beyond graduation, they grow to become leaders in their communities and truly inspire others in the same ways that they have been inspired. We seek an exceptional individual to join our team as the Director, Center for Scholars (Administrator II).The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude, an active, energetic mind, and a leadership style that is characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to inclusivity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the general supervision and direction of the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management, Engagement and Student Success, the Director of the Center for Scholars is responsible for overall management, development, and expansion of scholarship programs, including the President's Scholars, Guardian Scholars, Abrego Future Scholars, Nicolas Academic Centers Scholars, Hispanic Education Endowment Fund, TELACU, Simon Scholars, Sun Scholars, My Future Pathways Scholars Program, and Male Success Initiative (MSI). Responsible for the oversight of the daily operations of the scholars' programs, including management of the Center for Scholars, Male Success Initiative, and the organization of all scholar student activities and workshops. Manages, develops, and implements scholars' programs and services. Develops and implements program guidelines, conducts evaluation studies, and recommends and implements changes in program scope and direction when necessary. Interprets campus policies, recommends modifications to guidelines, and develops operational procedures. Responsible for the administration and management of the program budget. Assists University Advancement with fundraising and works closely with other individuals and departments to coordinate a recruitment program integrated with other university outreach efforts. Responsible for scholars' special events. Manages and provides leadership for program staff. Works closely with other Directors in Student Affairs and Academic Affairs to meet scholars' needs. Other duties as assigned.

Inclusive Leadership Statement is required below, please be sure to address the following as a minimum. Please add additional information as you see necessary and applicable:

• What doesinclusive leadership mean to you.
• A description of your experiences working with individuals with a different perspective.
• A description of how issues of inclusivityhave impacted you personally or professionally.

Essential Qualifications

Master's degree in counseling, educational counseling, counseling psychology, higher education, or social work. Minimum of five years of progressively responsible work experience as a supervisor, program administrator, serving students on a university campus. Experience in working with a diverse student body is essential. Must be able to develop, coordinate, and track initiatives, coordinate and direct program assessment, provide counseling and guidance to the scholar populations, market new initiatives, and participate in fundraising and development activities. Strong public speaking and writing skills required. General knowledge of principles, practices, and trends in student affairs and higher education. Proficiency in using a PC and MS Office (i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook) and the internet.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to complete the background check satisfactorily may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Preferred Qualifications

Doctorate degree preferred. Familiarity and experience working as an administrator in higher education settings. Knowledge of principles of fundraising, corporate sponsorship, and experience with donors. Familiarity and experience working with scholarship programs, community organizations, student success retention, and operations. General knowledge of principles, practices, and trends of student affairs and higher education, particularly with student retention and student success models.

• An array of health plans that include prescription drug coverage
• Dental and Vision coverage
• Income protection benefits including life insurance and disability
• Retirement plan through CalPERS
• Tuition waiver for employees and dependents if eligible

California State University, Fullerton is committed to fostering an environment where students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. We welcome individuals ready to make an impact on student and staff success to apply and become part of the Titan Community. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Cal State Fullerton is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination based regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or any other protected status.

The scope of responsibilities for this position includes the making or participating in the making of decisions that may have a material financial benefit on the incumbent. Therefore, you will be required to file an initial “Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interests” within thirty (30) days from date of hire and on an annual basis; and complete the CSU sponsored ethics on-line training within thirty (30) days of appointment, and at least once during each consecutive period of two calendar years following the appointment.

The person holding this position is considered a limited mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with the requirement outlined in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017.

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) position under the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. CSAs are responsible for reporting allegations of Clery Act Crimes reported to them or that they witness. CSA training is required.

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.

If you are applying for a staff position, please note that you are not eligible to work concurrently in a staff position and an Academic Student position such as a Graduate Assistant, Teaching Associate, Instructional Student Assistant, or Student Assistant position.

Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment.

Employee/applicant who applies for a position may be required to successfully complete job-related performance test(s) as part of the selection process.

Online application/resume must be received by electronic submission on the final filing date by 9:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time)/midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Applicants who fail to complete all sections of the online application form will be disqualified from consideration.

California State University, Fullerton is not currently sponsoring anynewH-1B petitions for staff, management, or faculty positions.

Advertised: Aug 27 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Sep 10 2026 Pacific Daylight Time