Reentry and Leadership Program Administrator

Villanova University; Lower Merion Township (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Villanova University in Villanova, PA is seeking a Reentry and Leadership Program Administrator to lead the Mellon Foundation–funded Advancing Prison Reentry and Leadership in Prison Education initiative in Philadelphia. Reporting to the Program Director, you will coordinate a comprehensive reentry model centered on lived experience, leadership development, and systems change.

The role builds educational pathways, mental health and peer counseling supports, and community-based leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Lived experience with incarceration and reentry required.
• Experience in reentry services, peer mentorship, or justice advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Mellon-funded reentry initiative across program pillars.
• Support educational pathways for justice-impacted alumni with partner institutions.
• Collaborate on training and trauma-informed mental health programming.
• Design and facilitate leadership development and peer mentorship.
• Build relationships with community partners and advocate organizations.
• Track participation, assist grant reporting, identify growth opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Coordination

Trauma-informed

Organization

Facilitation

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Posting Details

Do you have questions about the application process? If so, please refer to the Applicant FAQ’s.

Posting Details

Do you have questions about the application process? If so, please refer to the Applicant FAQ’s.
Posting Details (Default Section)

Posting Number: 20260390S

Position Title: Reentry and Leadership Program Administrator

Position Type: Staff

Location: Villanova, PA

Recruitment Type: Internal/External Applicants

Work Schedule: full-time/12-months

Avg Hours Week

Department: 130-Dean-Arts and Sciences

Position Summary

Why work at Villanova?

• Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.
• Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum.
• Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more .

The Reentry and Leadership Program Administrator will lead Villanova University’s Mellon Foundation–funded initiative, Advancing Prison Reentry and Leadership in Prison Education in Philadelphia, PA . Reporting to the Program Director, this position is responsible for coordinating a comprehensive reentry model that centers lived experience, leadership development, and systemic change for formerly incarcerated individuals.
The Administrator will oversee the day-to-day implementation of three integrated program pillars: (1) educational pathways, including graduate and certificate opportunities; (2) mental health and peer counseling supports; and (3) community-based leadership development and advocacy. This role will cultivate partnerships with institutions of higher education, community organizations, and justice-impacted leaders to ensure continuity of support from incarceration through reentry.
This position is designed for an individual with lived experience in the criminal justice system and is fully dedicated to advancing reentry outcomes that move beyond survival toward long-term stability, civic leadership, and systems transformation.
Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.
Duties And Responsibilities

• Coordinate the implementation of the Mellon-funded reentry initiative, ensuring alignment with grant goals, timelines, and deliverables across all three program pillars.
• Support educational pathways for justice-impacted alumni by coordinating application, enrollment, and student support processes for graduate degrees and certificate programs at Villanova University, the University of Pennsylvania, and partner institutions.
• Collaborate with Villanova University’s Department of Education and Counseling and the Intergenerational Healing Circle to support training and coordination of peer counseling and trauma-informed mental health programming for incarcerated individuals.
• Design and facilitate community support, leadership development, and peer mentorship opportunities that connect currently incarcerated individuals with formerly incarcerated leaders in the community.
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, advocacy organizations, and programs such as the Petey Greene Program to expand bridge programming, policy engagement, and leadership opportunities.
• Track program participation and outcomes, contribute to grant reporting, and assist the Program Director in identifying opportunities for program growth, sustainability, and systems-level impact.
• Perform other duties and assist with projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Formal Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in social work, public policy, education, counseling, or a related field preferred.

Work Experience

• Lived experience with incarceration and reentry is required.
• Demonstrated experience in reentry services, peer mentorship, community-based programming, or justice-related advocacy.

Work Skills: (e.g., written and verbal communication skills):

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, particularly in relationship-building with justice-impacted individuals and community stakeholders.
• Ability to coordinate complex initiatives across multiple partners and institutions.
• Demonstrated commitment to trauma-informed, equity-centered, and liberation-oriented approaches to reentry.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet grant deadlines.
• Comfort facilitating workshops, group discussions, and leadership development activities.

Specific Job Knowledge: (e.g., knowledge of principles and procedures related to field and area)

• This position requires regular engagement with justice-involved individuals in both correctional and community settings, as well as collaboration with university and nonprofit partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working collaboratively with higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, or community partners is strongly preferred.

Work Environment

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:

• This position requires regular engagement with justice-involved individuals in both correctional and community settings, as well as collaboration with university and nonprofit partners.

Physical Requirements

• Standard office-based responsibilities with occasional physical activity related to program events, workshops, or facility visits.

Special Message To Applicants

Posting Date: 08/05/2026

Closing Date (11:59pm ET):

Salary Posting Information

This position falls within salaried grade 13 and the range is $52,000-65,100. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate’s qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity.
Salary Grade: 13

Job Classification: exempt

References Needed

References Needed

Minimum Number of References Needed 0

Maximum Number of References Needed 3