Associate Director for Retention, Civic Engagement, Leadership and Equity Initiatives (Internal Applicants Only)

Posting Details

Posting Details

Posting Number S399 Classification Title Grant Funded Program Coordinator 3 Working Title Associate Director for Retention, Civic Engagement, Leadership and Equity Initiatives (Internal Applicants Only) Department Act 101 Access & Success Home Campus Bloomsburg City Bloomsburg State Pennsylvania Zip Code 17815 Bargaining Unit SCUPA Work Location Home Campus Position Type Staff Temporary/ Permanent Temporary - Grant Funded Full-time/ Part-time Full-Time If Part-time, specify percentage (Examples: 0.75; 0.50; 0.25) Benefits

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education provides a comprehensive package of employer benefits to eligible employees and their enrolled dependent(s), which include*:

• Medical and prescription drug benefits.

• Generous retirement plans, two options:

• Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP)

• State Employees' Retirement System (SERS)

• Tuition benefits for employees and dependents.

• Paid time off.

• Employer-paid dental and vision benefits.

• Employer-paid life insurance.

• Voluntary insurances and additional retirement programs.

• Specific benefits may vary based upon university, employee group and/or collective bargaining unit. Visit: http://www.passhe.edu/inside/HR/syshr/healthcare/Pages/Summary-of-Benefits.aspx for additional information regarding benefits.

To be eligible for most benefits, you must be a permanent, full-time employee (including temporary, full-time faculty with at least an academic year contract) or a permanent, part-time employee (including temporary, part-time faculty with at least an academic year contract) who is scheduled to work every pay period for at least 50% of full-time hours.

Start Time 8:00 End Time 4:00 Hours Per Week 37.5 hours per week Days Worked (Check all that apply) Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri Salary $60,753.00 Anticipated Start Date

Sept 1, 2026

Anticipated End Date

This position is funded by a grant with possible annual renewal based upon grant funding.

Position Summary Information

Position Purpose

The Associate Director for Retention, Civic Engagement, Leadership and Equity Initiatives is a grant funded position within Commonwealth University's Center for Access and Engagement. The Center for Access and Engagement (A&E) offers research-based programs and initiatives designed to promote community, engage students in intensive and intentional co-curricular learning opportunities and offer compassion centered student support. Services offered by A&E are unique because they incorporate academic support, student services/affairs, co-curricular learning, and equity-based initiatives. In essence, the work of A&E touches on all student facing divisions/units of Commonwealth University, to include Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management and DEIB.

The Center for Access and Engagement operates the Commonwealth Leadership Academy/Act 101. The Center for Access and Engagement also operates the Emerging Scholars program, the K. Leroy Irvis Leadership Institute, the Out of the Classroom: Into the Community Initiative and the Basic Needs Shoppe. A&E also partners with school districts and youth serving agencies to provide college exposure opportunities for underrepresented high school students. In addition, The Center for Access and Engagement provides support and leadership for academic programs such as the Black Studies Minor and the Frederick Douglass Institute for Academic Excellence.

The Associate Director for Retention, Civic Engagement, Leadership and Equity Initiatives will play a key leadership role in assisting students in reaching their educational, cultural and personal goals. The Associate Director for Retention, Civic Engagement, Leadership and Equity Initiatives will play a leadership role in addressing resource insecurity among Commonwealth University students and in expanding civic engagement and co-curricular learning opportunities. The incumbent will seek to enhance student support, develop and implement educational programming, supervise interns, graduate students and undergraduate student staff.

Description of Duties

• Assume supervision of the program in absence of the Executive Director.
• Play a leadership role in the development and implementation of programs, activities and initiatives designed to increase the retention and persistence rates of underrepresented students. Assesses programs and initiatives and demonstrates responsibility for department-wide outcomes. Advises senior leadership and helps shape strategic direction of A&E and the Act 101 program. Sets goals for retention and persistence rates within the A&E and Act 101 programs.
• Determines departmental priorities for multiple programmatic areas within A&E and Act 101.
• Play a leadership role in A&E's efforts to reduce resource insecurity among students at Commonwealth University. Provides direction to the Basic Needs Shoppe and other related programs, assesses program initiatives to increase awareness for the SNAP program, develops programming designed to increase campus wide knowledge of resource insecurity.
• Play a leadership role in A&E's efforts to engage Commonwealth University students in intentional and intensive civic engagement and co-curricular learning opportunities. Coordinates programs and activities with other employees involved in civic engagement programming.
• Play a leadership role in the day-to-day management and expansion of core A&E programs such as the Commonwealth Leadership Academy, Emerging Scholars, K. Leroy Irvis Leadership Institute and the Out of the Classroom: Into the Community Initiative. Responsible for program management, budget management, and coordination of events related to these programs.
• Play a leadership role in supporting and enhancing A&E's partnerships with academic programs and institutes, to include the Frederick Douglass Institute for Academic Excellence.
• Provide leadership and guidance for any learning communities that may be associated with A&E.
• Play a leadership role in A&E's various work study and internship programs. Involved in decision making of hiring the student employees, selecting students for internship programs, and working with outside agencies to secure internships for students as well as off campus work study opportunities.
• Play a leadership role in the development and implementation of programs and activities designed to increase the retention and persistence rates of underrepresented college students
• Lead efforts to maintain an active roster of students enrolled in programs managed by A&E, to include the Act 101 program. Make decisions on application acceptance into Act 101 program and coordinate the recruitment efforts of students to the Act 101 program.
• Lead and oversee the preparation of reports for internal and external stakeholders to include CU's Office on Institutional Research, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, the IUP Research Institute, the various foundations supporting Commonwealth University and programmatic volunteers, donors and grantors. Analyze data and make recommendations to leadership.
• Manage and coordinate the development and implementation of any and all summer bridge programs, and leadership development programs. Provide advisory services to parents and students concerning the summer bridge program, including significant education of the parents of first-generation college students.
• Lead initiatives to develop and maintain A&E's partnerships with off campus stakeholders, to include school districts, youth serving agencies and community-based non-profits.
• Partner with the Financial Aid Office to ensure that students are receiving information that will assist students in maximizing their financial aid. Responsible for assisting students in completing financial aid applications as appropriate.
• Engage and support students at all three campuses who are engaged in A&E's various programs and activities.
• Contribute to and foster an environment committed to providing compassion centered student support.
• Represent A&E at on campus and off campus activities designed to raise awareness about the various programs and initiatives of A&E.
• Develop and implement skill building workshops and activities designed to increase the retention and persistence rates of CU students.
• Serve as an advisor to student organizations focused on equity and diversity.
• Serve on university, departmental and community-based board and committees as requested.
• The incumbents will often be required to work evenings and some weekends.

Decision Making

• Hire, train and supervise student staff
• Play a leadership role in the training and supervision of interns, graduate assistants and peer mentors
• Determines departmental priorities for multiple functional areas.
• Makes decisions that shape departmental operations, and may affect multiple budgets or institutional risk.
• Autonomous decision-making regarding programmatic responsibilities within the confines of established policies.
• Autonomous decision-making regarding evaluation of student selection, and reinstatement of dismissed students from the Act 101 program.
• Autonomous decision-making regarding planning and coordination of events and programming
• Develops programs to meet the social and psychological needs of students
• Supervises mentoring programs as needed
• Advises students on financial aid matters
• Recommends sources of aid for students
• Develops cultural and social programs for students

Fiscal Responsibility

• The incumbent may manage budgets associated with the Center for Access and Engagement

Supervisory Responsibility

• Coordinate and lead the daily work of Assistant Directors and professional SCUPA staff through project coordination, workload planning, coaching, and review of work products. Establish priorities, and ensure consistent implementation of departmental initiatives.
• Provide direct supervision to a select group of work study students, and provide training.
• Assist in the training and supervision of interns.
• Assist in the training and supervision of graduate assistants and Peer Mentors.
• In consultation with the A&E's executive director, provide leadership and supervision to administrative staff.

Minimum Requirements Profile

• Masters Degree in college student affairs or a related discipline, psychology, social work, sociology, communications or another relevant field
• A minimum of four years' experience in higher education, youth development, K-12 education or non-profit management. Direct experience with intensive academic, cultural and student support programming
• Direct experience with co-curricular learning opportunities and community engagement programming
• Experience cultivating relationships with internal and external stakeholders, to include non-profit organizations, corporate and community-based foundations, school districts and youth serving agencies
• Direct experience addressing resource insecurity among college students or other populations
• Experience working with programs and activities designed to support underrepresented youth
• Knowledge of educational disparities and its impact on underrepresented, first generation and/or PELL eligible college students

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with a diverse student population.
• Experience developing retention focused programming.
• Experience with grant writing.

Applicant Rating Criteria Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability and interest in serving students from diverse backgrounds
• Knowledge of the factors that may impact retention and persistence rates of underrepresented students
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and cooperate with colleagues inside and outside of the institution
• Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate with individuals from diverse socio-economic, educational and cultural backgrounds
• Ability to prepare reports for internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to articulate the goals, objectives and initiatives of A&E and Commonwealth University.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team

Essential Functions

1. Sitting - 60%; Walking - 20%; Standing - 10%; Squatting - 3%, Bending - 3%

2. Working indoors - 80% and Outdoors (for errands) - 20%

3. Frequent lifting of objects weighing less than 10 pounds

4. Occasional lifting of objects weighing 25 pounds or greater.

5. Occasional pushing/pulling objects weighing 25 pounds or greater

6. Frequent reaching for objects at, above and below shoulder

7. Frequent twisting at waist, and stretching to reach objects

8. Occasional fine manipulation with hands

9. Frequent simple grasping; occasional power grasping

10. Basic math skills (add, subtract, multiply, divide)

11. Reading skills including understanding written direction.

12. Writing skills in preparing and organizing documents

13. Sensory skills, i.e. visual, hearing, and speaking

14. Keyboard skills

Posting Detail Information

Open Date mm-dd-yyyy 08/05/2026 Close Date mm-dd-yyyy 08/19/2026 Open Until Filled No Special Instructions to Applicants

Last day to apply is August 19, 2026.

Finalists for this position must communicate well and successfully complete an interview process. Completing this search is contingent upon available funding.

Background Clearances

Offers of employment are conditional, pending successful completion of the background clearances mandated by Act 153 of 2014 and Board of Governors Policy 2014-01-A: Protection of Minors. In order to qualify for a provisional appointment, the Applicant Acknowledgement Consent Form, Provisional Hire Form, Pennsylvania State Police and Justifacts portion of the clearance process must be successfully completed prior to your start date. The remaining PA Child Abuse History Clearance and FBI Clearance must be successfully completed and returned as soon as possible within the first 90 days of employment.

Diversity Statement

At Commonwealth University we recognize our responsibility to continuously support a living, learning, and working environment that values the diverse contributions from all members of our campus community. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion enriches our campus community and is instrumental to our institutional success. Commonwealth University strives to cultivate a campus climate that allows all members to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion as we achieve success both in and out of the classroom, in our work responsibilities, and in our professional lives beyond Commonwealth University. We uphold our commitment to DEI by:

• Actively supporting and promoting the intellectual and personal growth of our students, inside and outside of the classroom.
• Providing workshops, trainings, programs designed to broaden the knowledge and understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion within our campus community.
• Ensuring that all learning and living environments throughout our campus are welcoming and capable of serving all individuals.

Title IX/Clery

The University prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, marital or family status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability in any decision regarding admissions, employment, or participation in a University program or activity in accordance with the letter and spirit of federal, state, and local non-discrimination and equal opportunity laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.

The University also complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crimes Statistics Act, as amended by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Title IX prohibits retaliation for asserting or otherwise participating in claims of sex discrimination. VAWA imposes additional duties on universities and colleges to investigate and respond to reports of sexual assault, stalking, and dating or domestic violence, and to publish policies and procedures related to the way these reports are handled. The University has designated the Title IX Coordinator (Jennifer Raup, Elwell Hall, ORL, 570-389-4808, jraup@commonwealthu.edu or titleixcoord@commonwealthu.edu), to coordinate the University's compliance with Title IX and VAWA and to respond to reports of violations. The University has directed the Police Department to coordinate the University's compliance with the VAWA-related Clery reporting requirements. For information on the University's crime statistics, which is available in a publication called "Annual Security Report", please contact Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg Police at 570-389-2211, Commonwealth University - Mansfield Police at 570-662-4900, or Commonwealth University - Lock Haven Police at 570-484-2278 or by accessing the following website: https://www.commonwealthu.edu/offices-directory/university-police/annual-security-report. Additionally, inquiries concerning Title IX and its implementing regulation can be made to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, Region III, The Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East - Suite 505, Philadelphia, PA 19107; Phone: (215) 656-6010; Fax: (215) 656-6020.

About Commonwealth University of PA

The Power of Three Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities have joined forces to boldly transform higher education in our region and beyond. While we are uniting as Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, you can expect a college experience that is anything but common.

We're Honoring our History by preserving the founding principles of each campus and continuing our vibrant on-campus student experience, serving as pillars of our communities, supporting students and our neighbors alike.

We're Investing in Today by answering the greatest challenges facing higher education: accessibility, cost, quality, and relevance through the combined strength of our storied institutions.

We're Building a Powerful Tomorrow by boldly changing the trajectory of public education to position ourselves for growth, increased access, and to meet economic and workforce development needs in our region, across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Quick Link https://commonwealthu.peopleadmin.com/postings/5853

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Unofficial Transcripts

Optional Documents

• Additional Transcripts

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Are you a current employee of the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield)?

• Yes

• No

• • Are you a current professional employee (SUA) in the State College and University Professional Association (SCUPA) unit?

• Yes

• No

• • What is the highest degree you have attained?

• High School

• Associate Degree

• Bachelor's Degree

• Master's Degree

• ABD

• Doctorate Degree

• • Can you perform the essential duties of this position with or without accommodations?

• Yes

• No