Director, Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

University of Minnesota; Morris (MN); On-site; USD 58,339 - 71,304; Full time

Job summary

The University of Minnesota Morris seeks a Director to serve as Principal Investigator and lead the McNair project with full authority to implement the approved plan and achieve objectives.

The role oversees administration, compliance, recruitment, curriculum delivery, scholar mentoring, budgeting, evaluation, and reporting, acting as the program's representative to the Department of Education and partners.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education, Social Sciences, Counseling, or related field and at least three years of experience, or BA/BS with five years of experience.
• Experience designing, managing, and/or implementing TRIO McNair, undergraduate research, pre-doctoral, or similar programs.
• Experience providing direct service to undergraduate students.
• Training or demonstrated background in student success and retention.
• Demonstrated experience in program and curriculum development and program management, including staff supervision, budgeting, assessment, and reporting.
• Excellent administrative, writing, and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership, management, and administrative direction to implement the approved plan of operation and accomplish project objectives.
• Serve as Principal Investigator and primary liaison with the U.S. Department of Education; ensure compliance with all federal, state, and University regulations and policies, including the Uniform Guidance, EDGAR, and 34 CFR Part 647.
• Lead the preparation of the competitive continuation application to secure McNair funding for the next cycle.
• Direct participant identification, recruitment, selection, and retention to enroll and sustain a cohort of 25 Scholars.
• Partner with the faculty Associate Director to deliver the program's academic and research curriculum and oversee faculty research mentorship.
• Conduct individualized assessments; monitor, advise, and mentor Scholars toward graduate admission and doctoral attainment.
• Convene and lead the project team and supervise project staff including orientation and performance feedback.
• Prepare and manage the project budget with the Grants Development Office; authorize expenditures and ensure appropriate use of funds.
• Direct formative and summative project evaluation; prepare and submit the Annual Performance Report to the U.S. Department of Education.
• Maintain participant and alumni records and post-graduation tracking through doctoral attainment.
• Participate in state, regional, and national TRIO McNair activities.

Skills

Leadership

Administrative

Budgeting

Writing and communication

Education

Master's degree in Education, Social Sciences, Counseling or related

BA/BS with 5 years experience in lieu of master's

Job description

About the Job

The Director serves as Principal Investigator and the central leader of the McNair project at the University of Minnesota Morris, with full authority and institutional support to implement the approved plan of operation and achieve the project's objectives. The Director is responsible for all aspects of the program - administration and federal compliance, recruitment and selection, academic and research programming, Scholar mentoring, budget, evaluation, and reporting - and serves as the program's primary representative to the U.S. Department of Education and to campus and external partners. The Director leads a project team that includes a faculty Associate Director (24% time), and will collaborate with other campus partners.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership, management, and administrative direction to implement the approved plan of operation and accomplish project objectives.


• Serve as Principal Investigator and primary liaison with the U.S. Department of Education; ensure compliance with all federal, state, and University regulations and policies, including the Uniform Guidance, EDGAR, and 34 CFR Part 647.


• Lead the preparation of the competitive continuation application to secure McNair funding for the next cycle.


• Direct participant identification, recruitment, selection, and retention to enroll and sustain a cohort of 25 Scholars.


• Partner with the faculty Associate Director to deliver the program's academic and research curriculum - the Research Success Seminar, the 10-week Summer Research Experience, and the Graduate Success Seminar - and oversee the coordination of faculty research mentorship.


• Conduct individualized "Road to the PhD" assessments; monitor, advise, and mentor Scholars' academic progress toward graduate admission and doctoral attainment.


• Convene and lead the project team - including the faculty Associate Director, Project Coordinator, and Student Ambassadors - and supervise project staff, providing orientation, training, and ongoing performance feedback.


• Prepare and manage the project budget with the Grants Development Office; authorize expenditures and ensure appropriate use of funds.


• Direct formative and summative project evaluation; prepare and submit the Annual Performance Report to the U.S. Department of Education.


• Maintain participant and alumni records and post-graduation tracking through doctoral attainment.


• Participate in state, regional, and national TRIO McNair professional activities, including the Council for Opportunity in Education and Department of Education technical workshops.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education, Social Sciences, Counseling, or a related field strongly preferred with at least three years of experience or BA/BS degree plus five years of experience.


• Experience designing, managing, and/or implementing TRIO McNair, undergraduate research, pre-doctoral, or similar programs.


• Experience providing direct service to undergraduate students.


• Training or demonstrated background in student success and retention.


• Demonstrated experience in program and curriculum development and program management, including staff supervision, budgeting, assessment, and reporting.


• Excellent administrative, writing, and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral or terminal degree.


• At least three years of TRIO McNair or similar professional experience.


• Leadership development training; college-level teaching experience; grant-writing experience.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $64,822; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off


• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program


• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans


• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts


• University HSA contributions


• Disability and employer-paid life insurance


• Employee wellbeing program


• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution


• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity


• Financial counseling services


• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota Morris (UMN Morris)

The University of Minnesota Morris (UMN Morris) makes its home on a 121-year-old campus on the western edge of the state and is one of the top public liberal arts colleges in the nation. The small, close-knit campus emphasizes faculty/student collaboration in research, study abroad, and community engaged learning. Deeply rooted in the tall grass prairies of Minnesota, the campus also has advanced sustainable, environmentally friendly initiatives that have grown to levels of national leadership and touch nearly all aspects of campus life.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.