Upward Bound Program Director, Rockville High School

University of Connecticut; Storrs (CT); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Connecticut seeks a Program Director for the Upward Bound Math and Science program at Rockville High School, based at the Storrs campus. You will oversee college preparation programs for first-generation and low-income students, hire and supervise staff, manage budgets, and coordinate with campus units and community partners.

You will also prepare reports, evaluate outcomes, and serve as a key resource on college access and student success, reporting to CAPS leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field plus 6–7 years of related experience, or Master's degree with 4 years of related experience.
• Two years of experience must be serving as an advanced team member or project lead.
• Experience working with students who are first-generation to college or from low-income backgrounds.
• Knowledge of challenges faced by students from under-resourced schools and underrepresented backgrounds.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience in college access programming and/or postsecondary preparation for K-12 students.
• Demonstrated experience in budget and/or fiscal management.

Responsibilities

• Plan and administer day-to-day program operations and ensure compliance with policies.
• Lead development and implementation of college outreach and preparation programming for target students.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise staff; assign tasks and evaluate performance.
• Monitor budgets; prepare reports and projections with fiscal staff.
• Ensure compliance with all funding and reporting requirements; prepare necessary documents.
• Engage with school personnel and community organizations for program promotion and recruitment.
• Support families in navigating college and financial aid processes.
• Establish partnerships with university stakeholders and TRIO organizations.
• Conduct annual program evaluation and implement improvements based on data.

Skills

Staff supervision

Budget management

Program administration

Grant writing

College access programming

Stakeholder collaboration

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Master's degree in a related field

Job description

Search #: 499801
Work type: Full-time
Location: UConn Storrs
Categories: Student Programs and Services

JOB SUMMARY

The University of Connecticut’s Center for Access and Postsecondary Success (CAPS) seeks applicants to serve as the Upward Bound Math and Science Program Director (Senior Student Services Program Administrator) for the Rockville High School program. Based out of the Storrs Campus, the Program Director will be responsible for the management and day-to-day administration of college preparation programming for first-generation and low-income high school students interested in STEM at Rockville High School.

The Program Director will hire, train, supervise, and evaluate professional, instructional, and student staff; manage the approved budget for the program; prepare institutional, state, and federal reports; coordinate programming with campus units and community organizations; and evaluate program effectiveness. The Program Director will also serve as a resource hi to students, staff, parents, and other stakeholders on matters relating to college access, educational equity, student engagement, and postsecondary success.

Works under the direction of the CAPS Associate Director for College Access.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans and administers day-to-day program operations and monitors compliance with departmental, institutional, state, and federal policies and procedures.
• Leads in development and implementation of college outreach and preparation programming to achieve goals aligned with increasing postsecondary enrollment and persistence for students traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
• Recruits, hires, trains, and supervises staff. Assigns staff tasks in accordance with program objectives and evaluates completion of assignments.
• Monitors approved budgets; prepares budget reports and projections in collaboration with department fiscal staff.
• Ensures compliance with university, state, federal, and foundation operational, fiscal, and grant requirements, and prepares necessary reports.
• Engages, plans, and organizes engagement activities with school personnel, district leaders, and local/state education organizations for program promotion, student recruitment, and collaborations to enhance opportunities for high school students attending targeted high schools and meet program outcome metrics.
• Provides support to parents/guardians to help them support students in navigating college and financial aid application processes and transitioning to college.
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with university stakeholders, school and community members, and educational opportunity/TRIO organizations.
• Completes annual program evaluation and formative assessments; Collects data, analyzes outcomes, and identifies issues and/or opportunities affecting objectives. Makes recommendations for program improvement based on evaluation and assessment results.
• Assists in grant and development initiatives, including fundraising and writing grant proposals to secure resources to support the delivery of services.
• Must be able to travel to/from campus site, UConn campuses, target school, and community organizations.
• The position requires working flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Performs related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and 6-7 years of related experience; OR Master's degree in a related field and four years of related experience.
• Two years of experience must be serving as an advanced team member or working as a project lead.
• Demonstrated experience working with students who are first-generation to college, from low-income backgrounds, and/or other populations underrepresented in higher education.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the challenges faced by students who attend under-resourced schools, and who are first-generation to college, from low-income backgrounds and/or populations underrepresented in higher education.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience working in college access programming and/or postsecondary preparation for K-12 students.
• Demonstrated experience in budget and/or fiscal management.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated administrative abilities in strategic planning, budgeting, resource management, and staff supervision.
• Experience with organizational, institutional, state, and/or federal reporting.
• Demonstrated experience with program evaluation and/or assessment.
• Experience in coordinating professional development workshops and training.
• Demonstrated administrative and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and solve problems independently.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
• Grant writing and/or grant management experience.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time (35 hours per week), end-dated position with the possibility of renewal subject to performance and funding. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. The starting salary is fixed at $75,786.

For additional information regarding benefits, please visit UConn Health Benefits and explore the sections under the Benefits & Leaves and Engagement & Learning headers. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

Applications received by September 1, 2026.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disabilities, veteran’s status, status as a victim of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and/or trafficking in persons as defined by Connecticut law, prior conviction of a crime, workplace hazards to the reproductive systems, or gender identity or expression

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer including for Disability and Veteran status.

Advertised: Aug 20 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: