TRIO Pre-College Programs Director

Iowa State University; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa State University’s Division of Student Affairs seeks a TRIO Pre-College Programs Director to provide leadership and oversight for Talent Search and Upward Bound. You will manage program administration, staff supervision, grant administration, and community partnerships to advance college access and student success.

You will lead planning, budgeting, compliance with federal TRIO requirements, assessment, and reporting while guiding initiatives that expand services and positive outcomes for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience.
• Master's degree required.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for Talent Search and Upward Bound programs.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate professional and student staff.
• Lead program planning, implementation, and assessment to support college access and student success.
• Oversee budgets, resource allocation, and fiscal operations for grant-funded resources.
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations, grant requirements, and university policies.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with K-12 schools, community organizations, and campus departments.
• Direct data collection, analysis, and reporting to inform decision-making and improvement.
• Lead grant administration activities, including annual reports and renewals.
• Represent programs through outreach, recruitment, and community engagement.
• Support participant recruitment, retention, and engagement strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Grant administration

Budget management

Partnership building

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Position Title:

TRIO Pre-College Programs Director

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience

Special Required Qualifications

Master's degree

Job Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

Interested in leading programs that help students prepare for college, achieve academic success, and pursue their future goals? Enjoy building partnerships with schools, families, communities, and campus stakeholders to create positive student outcomes?

If so, the Division of Student Affairs at Iowa State University is seeking a TRIO Pre-College Programs Director to provide leadership and oversight for the Talent Search and Upward Bound programs! This position is responsible for program administration, staff leadership, grant management, student success initiatives, and community partnerships that support college access and educational achievement. This position will be classified as a Manager Programs.

What You'll Do:

• Provide overall leadership, strategic direction, and administrative oversight for the Talent Search and Upward Bound programs, ensuring alignment with program goals, federal TRIO requirements, and institutional priorities.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate professional and student staff, fostering a collaborative and student-centered team culture.
• Lead program planning, implementation, and assessment efforts designed to support college access, academic success, high school completion, and postsecondary enrollment for program participants.
• Oversee program budgets, resource allocation, and fiscal operations to ensure responsible stewardship of grant-funded resources.
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations, grant requirements, reporting standards, and university policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with K-12 schools, community organizations, campus departments, and other stakeholders to enhance program effectiveness and participant outcomes.
• Direct the collection, analysis, and reporting of program data, using assessment results and performance metrics to inform decision-making and continuous improvement efforts.
• Lead grant administration activities, including preparing annual performance reports, monitoring progress toward objectives, and coordinating grant renewal and funding initiatives.
• Represent the programs through outreach, recruitment activities, presentations, meetings, and community engagement efforts.
• Support participant recruitment, retention, and engagement strategies while promoting a supportive environment for students.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to identify opportunities for program growth, innovation, and expanded student support services.
• Provide leadership and support for initiatives that enhance educational opportunities and student success while contributing to the continued growth and effectiveness of the TRIO programs.

The successful candidate will demonstrate progressive leadership and supervisory experience, with the ability to effectively oversee multiple federally funded programs concurrently. They will possess a strong background in project administration, including grant management, budget oversight, and adherence to funding requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctorate (PhD) preferred in counseling, student services, education, or a closely related field.
• Experience working with federally funded TRIO programs or other college access and pre-college programs.
• Demonstrated experience building partnerships with K-12 schools, school districts, community organizations, and educational stakeholders.
• Experience planning, implementing, and assessing programs that support educational access, academic success, and postsecondary enrollment, including the use of program data and performance metrics to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Grant writing experience, including proposal development and compliance with funding guidelines.

About TRIO Talent Search and Upward Bound at Iowa State University:

Iowa State University TRIO Talent Search is a college preparatory program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The goal of Talent Search is to increase the likelihood that participants graduate from high school and enroll in college. Talent Search provides students with academic enrichment, financial aid resources, career exploration and advising through monthly school visits. Talent Search advisors work with school counselors and teachers to identify qualified youth who have the potential for success in college. To learn more about Talent Search, please visit TRIO Talent Search .

Key features and goals of the Upward Bound program include:

academic support, college and career preparation, enrichment activities, developing life ski