Upward Bound Program Director, Windham High School

University of Connecticut; Mansfield (CT); On-site; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Connecticut’s Center for Access and Postsecondary Success (CAPS) seeks applicants to serve as the Upward Bound Program Director for the Windham High School program, based at UConn Storrs. You will manage college preparation programs for first-generation/low-income students and supervise staff, budgets, and reporting.

You will collaborate with campus units and community partners, support students and families, and ensure program effectiveness through annual evaluations and grant

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 first-generation to college students from low-income backgrounds or underrepresented groups
• Demonstrated knowledge of challenges faced by students from under-resourced schools and first-generation college students
• Supervisory experience
• Experience working in college access programming or postsecondary preparation for K-12 students
• Demonstrated experience in budget and/or fiscal management

Responsibilities

• Plans and administers day-to-day program operations and monitors compliance with policies
• Leads development and implementation of college outreach and preparation programming
• Recruits, hires, trains, and supervises staff; assigns tasks and evaluates completion
• Monitors budgets; prepares budget reports and projections
• Ensures compliance with university, state, federal, and foundation requirements and prepares reports
• Engages with school personnel and community organizations for program promotion and collaborations
• Supports parents/guardians in navigating college and financial aid processes
• Establishes partnerships with university stakeholders and TRIO organizations
• Completes annual program evaluation and collects data to inform improvements
• Assists in grant and development initiatives, including fundraising and writing proposals
• Must travel to/from campus sites and target schools; flexible hours including evenings/weekends

Skills

Staff supervision

Budget management

Grant writing

Program development

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree + 6-7 years OR Master's degree + 4 years

Tools

Financial reporting systems

Job description

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 Program Director (Senior Student Services Program Administrator) for the Windham High School program. Based out of the UConn Storrs Campus, the Program Director will be responsible for the management and day-to-day administration of college preparation programming for first-generation and/or low-income high school students at Windham 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 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 strength in oral, written and verbal communication
• 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.

This job posting will remain open until filled, with preference given to applications received by September 1, 2026.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.