Executive Director for Student Transitions and Family Engagement

University of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Colorado Denver invites applications for the Executive Director for Student Transitions and Family Engagement. This role leads STFE programs such as New Student Orientation, First-Year Experiences, and the PAL and Lynx Summer Academy, shaping a student-centered approach across in-person, hybrid, and remote environments.

You will partner with academic units and student support services, drive continuous improvement, manage program budgets, report to leadership, and foster family

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership in a higher education setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and development for professional staff and student employees.
• Oversee New Student Orientation and Family Engagement programs.
• Lead First-Year Experience initiatives and faculty recruitment/training.
• Coordinate Lynx Summer Academy planning, recruitment, and funding.
• Foster cross-campus collaboration to align student success efforts.
• Prepare reports on orientation, persistence, and program outcomes.
• Represent CU Denver at events and serve on committees.

Skills

Leadership

Education

Master's degree in related field

Seven years leadership experience in higher education

Job description

Position Details

University of Colorado | Denver

Official Title: Executive Director

Working Title: Executive Director for Student Transitions and Family Engagement

FTE : Full-time 1.0 (100%) FTE | Hybrid

Salary Range: 105,000 - 115,000

Position #00679912- Requisition #41534

Join the University of Colorado Denver

About the University of Colorado Denver

Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We're the state's premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top-ranked bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners-at any stage of their life and career-for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state's largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $665 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu .

Job Description

Executive Director for Student Transitions and Family Engagement:

The Executive Director for Student Transitions and Family Engagement (STFE) provides leadership, direction, and long-term planning for programs that support students through key transitions and foster early engagement in the university experience. The portfolio includes New Student Orientation and Family Engagement, First-Year Experiences, and Peer Advocate Leaders.

The Executive Director collaborates with colleagues and student leaders in STFE to ensure alignment with unit, divisional, and institutional priorities that support a coordinated, student-centered approach to student success. This role also serves as a key collaborator within the Division of Strategic Enrollment and Student Success (SESS), continually evaluating and implementing innovative approaches to support student success across in-person, hybrid, and remote environments.

What you will do:

• Provide leadership and development for professional staff and student employees, including onboarding, performance management and evaluation, training, team building, and workplace wellness.
• Provide oversight and strategic management to the following programs: New Student Orientation and Family Engagement, including orientation experiences for first-year and transfer students and their families, extended orientation, enrollment efforts, and innovative onboarding and reengagement initiatives.
• First-Year Experience programs, including course offerings through First-Year Seminar and College Success (UNIV 1110), and faculty recruitment, training, and development.
• Peer Advocate Leader (PAL) program, including innovative peer mentoring for new undergraduates, and opportunities for student development.
• Lynx Summer Academy (i.e., summer bridge) for first-year students, including program planning, recruitment, course selection, program evaluation, and funding acquisition.
• Foster cross-campus collaboration and partnerships with academic departments, student support offices, faculty, staff, and other university stakeholders to coordinate services, identify emerging student needs, and develop integrated approaches to student engagement, persistence, and success.
• Establish and advance continuous improvement efforts across assigned programs and services, using best practices, student feedback, and relevant data to evaluate effectiveness, strengthen student outcomes, and align initiatives with university and Student Success goals.
• Provide reports to leadership on orientation and registration of new students, FYE persistence and retention, and Lynx Summer Academy persistence and retention.
• Streamline and continually improve communications with students and families by coordinating with Admissions and University Communications to ensure that all outreach to students are timely, specific, and targeted.
• Oversight of all program budgets and work with Directors to ensure resources allocated for each fiscal year are effectively deployed and processed in alignment with institutional procedures and policies.
• Participate in committee work with SESS and academic affairs colleagues to improve access, streamlined transitions, and student success and development.
• Represent CU Denver and STFE at events and programs on and off-campus.
• Serve on campus committees, working groups, and/or task forces related to Student Success initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a higher education setting leading student enrollment, retent