Executive Director, TRIO

Central State University; Wilberforce (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Central State University seeks an Executive Director for TRIO Programs (SSS, STEM, Upward Bound) to lead program development, administration, and compliance with federal guidelines. The role requires coordination with university administrators, schools, and community partners, and oversight of staff and budgets.

The Executive Director will prepare and submit required reports, manage day-to-day operations, and ensure program growth while maintaining high standards of student support services

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required in a relevant field such as academic/career counseling or educational leadership.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Supervisory skills are required.
• Computer skills including database management, word processing, and spreadsheet applications are required.

Responsibilities

• Represent the TRIO Programs within the University and with external partners; communicate program goals and compliance.
• Design, develop, and manage program operations, budgets, records, and federal reports.
• Oversee staff performance, training, and program evaluation to meet grant objectives.
• Develop collaborations with schools, districts, and community partners to recruit participants.
• Monitor and report on program outcomes and ensure alignment with federal guidelines.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Supervisory skills

Administration coordination

Education

Master’s degree in academic/career counseling or educational leadership

Tools

Database management

Word processing

Spreadsheet applications

Job description

Posting Details

Posting Details

Posting Number

0801854

Classification Title

Executive Director, TRIO

Working Title

Department

Student Support Services (TRiO)

Department Contact Email

[e-mail]

Job Summary/Basic Function

SUMMARY

The Executive Director of TRIO Programs is the primary liaisonbetween the TRIO Programs (Student Support Services, StudentSupport Services STEM, and Upward Bound) and Universityadministrators, faculty, public school district partners,participants, parents, and community representatives interested inthe TRIO programs. The Executive Director of TRIO Programs isresponsible for ensuring that the programs meet established goals,objectives, and federal guidelines and is responsible for programdevelopment, implementation, and management of dayto-dayoperations, planning, supervision, and evaluation of programs andprogram staff, budgeting, maintaining appropriate program records,and preparing and submitting time and effort reports and mandatedcompliance reports. The Executive Director ensures propereducational programs in collaboration with the University’sAcademic division, respective school districts (tutoring,college/field trips, academic Saturday classes and summerprograms), preparing monthly and annual institutional and federalreports, working with key personnel in area of high schools andmiddle schools identifying potential students, working with parentsand developing assessments in addition to monitoring vehicles totrack participants via the submission of the Annual PerformanceReport. The Executive Director will also provide direct services toTRIO program participants.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Ensures that the TRIO programs are understood and accepted as anintegral part of the University community by representing theprogram in formal and informal venues, facilitating communicationand discussion regarding the TRIO Program’s operations and goalsand the needs of SSS and Upward Bound participants, conductingresearch, managing all administrative tasks and operations tocomply with program requirements, and reporting research findingsin formal and informal venues.
2. Assures that the programs for participants ( SSS and UpwardBound) are organized, monitored, and managed to meet goals andobjectives by designing, developing and directing all facets of theUpward Bound Program and Student Support Services programs underpolicies and procedures which ensure they are conducted incompliance with the U.S. Department of Education program guidelinesand the specific requirements contained in the Central StateUniversity proposals, reporting data as required, trackingexpenditures and keeping financial records in accordance withfederal guidelines, ensuring that all student records are complete,current, and confidential, reviewing TRIO Program materials,monitoring programming content, schedules, and budgets againstprogram criteria, preparing federal reports, preparing thecontinuation proposal, and attending meetings with the U.S.Department of Education Office.
3. Assesses employee performance and fiscal return on investmentfor all programs and collaborative initiatives.
4. Ensures that eligible students can fully utilize the TRIOprograms by directing program staff to interview interestedstudents and collecting and reporting data to assess theeffectiveness of program components and performing otherevaluations of the impact of the TRIO programs.
5. Establishes and maintains close working relationships withvarious University representatives, the US Department of Education,target schools’ faculty and administrators, and communityagencies.
6. Assures the development and operation of an effective tracking,monitoring, and reporting system for the TRIO Programs by workingwith the Office of Institutional Research, Enrollment Management,the Registrar, Financial Aid, all academic colleges, theUndergraduate Student Success Center, and the InformationTechnology Division.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Effectively manages the program by ensuring that the TRIOPrograms meets all grant obligations in a timely manner to allowthe preparation and submission of all necessary U.S. Department ofEducation reports.
2. Documents on the progress of TRIO Programs in achieving itsfunded objectives by coordination and evaluation of theproject.
3. Develops a competent and effective staff by recruiting,selecting, training, supervising, and evaluating staff members incompliance with the University’s established personnelpolicies.
4. Represents the TRIO programs by attending appropriate meetings,on and off campus.
5. Works to secure funding for the continuation of the TRIOPrograms.
6. Provides direct academic support services to Upward Bound andStudent Support Service participants and supervises participants atactivities, cultural events, and cultural trips.
7. Ensures the success of the TRIO programs by performing allother duties as assigned by the Provost and Vice President forAcademic Affairs.

• A master’s degree in academic/career counseling, educationalleadership, or a related field is required.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills arerequired.
• Supervisory skills are required.
• Computer skills including database management, word processing,and spreadsheet applications are required.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least five years of experience in educational programmanagement, personnel management, and fiscal management ispreferred.
• Experience working with TRIO programs, student support services,or other programs focused on low-income, first generation, oracademically disadvantaged students is preferred.
• Familiarity with statistical software packages is desired.

Posting Date

10/07/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Background Check:

All offers of employment at Central StateUniversity are contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check. This may include, but is not limited to, verification of education and employment history, criminal history check, driving record (if applicable), drugscreening, and tax compliance review. Certain positions may require additional screenings based on jobresponsibilities, regulatory requirements, or fundingsources. Failure to successfully complete the required background check orprovide accurate and complete information may result in withdrawalof an offer or termination of employment.

Work Authorization:

Applicants must be legally authorized towork in the United States at the time of hire and throughout theiremployment. The University is not able to sponsor employment visasfor this position now or in the future.

Position Category

Staff - Monthly (Exempt)

Budgeted Annual Salary

Commensurate with experience

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Unofficial Transcripts