Director for the Bridge Program

Founded by the Sisters of Charity of New York, the University of Mount Saint Vincent is an academically excellent, authentically inclusive, Catholic and ecumenical liberal arts university. The University combines a strong core curriculum with a full array of majors in the liberal arts and, within the tradition of liberal education, selected professional fields of study.

At Mount Saint Vincent, a student’s education extends beyond knowledge, skills, and preparation for work. We seek the development of the whole person. In the spirit of Vincent de Paul and Elizabeth Ann Seton, we foster an understanding of our common humanity, a commitment to human dignity, and a full appreciation of our obligations to each other.

The Bridge Program is a two-year, non-degree certificate program at the University of Mount Saint Vincent. It offers an immersive college experience for young adults with developmental disabilities between the ages of 18–24. Students in the Bridge Program develop and strengthen their skills in the following core areas:

• Education
• Career Exploration
• Executive Functioning
• Independent Living
• Self-Advocacy
• Socialization

Position Summary

The Director of the BRIDGE Program provides visionary and strategic leadership for the University’s inclusive postsecondary education program for young adults with developmental disabilities. The Director is responsible for the overall quality, effectiveness, development, sustainability, and growth of the program while fostering an inclusive, supportive, and student-centered educational environment.

Reporting directly to the Associate Dean of Students, the Director provides leadership across program administration, student success, recruitment and enrollment, staff supervision and development, assessment, University and community partnerships, and financial sustainability. The Director serves as the primary leader and representative of the BRIDGE Program and is responsible for ensuring that the program continues to evolve in response to student needs, emerging practices, and opportunities within the University and broader community.

The Director works closely with the Associate Director to establish clear and effective program operations. The Director provides overall leadership and supervision of the program, while the Associate Director is responsible for the direct supervision and coordination of BRIDGE instructors and instructional operations.

Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Administration

• Provide strategic and visionary leadership for the BRIDGE Program, ensuring alignment with the University’s mission, values, and commitment to inclusive postsecondary education.
• Oversee the overall administration and operations of the BRIDGE Program, ensuring effective, efficient, and high-quality program delivery.
• Lead the continued development, enhancement, and growth of the BRIDGE Program by identifying opportunities to strengthen programming, expand partnerships, enhance student experiences, and position the program for long-term success and sustainability.
• Develop and implement programmatic priorities and initiatives that respond to the evolving needs of BRIDGE students, families, the University, and the broader field of inclusive postsecondary education.
• Cultivate a culture of innovation, collaboration, care, accountability, and continuous improvement within the BRIDGE Program.
• Supervise and provide leadership to BRIDGE professional and administrative staff, including the Associate Director.
• Establish and maintain clear roles, responsibilities, reporting relationships, policies, and procedures that support effective program operations, staff accountability, and student success.
• Partner with the Associate Director to ensure effective coordination of instructional programming, student support, and day-to-day program operations while maintaining clear lines of responsibility and supervision.
• Monitor emerging trends, research, and best practices in inclusive postsecondary education and transition services and incorporate relevant practices into program development and improvement.
• Serve as the primary BRIDGE representative within the University and with external partners, families, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Associate Dean of Students and other University leaders on program priorities, resource allocation, institutional initiatives, and opportunities affecting BRIDGE.
• Exercise appropriate decision-making authority over the day-to-day administration and operation of the BRIDGE Program, consulting with the Associate Dean of Students on significant programmatic, personnel, financial, policy, or institutional matters.
• Participate in University, divisional, and community committees and initiatives as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Dean of Students.

Student Success & Family Engagement

• Provide overall leadership for the BRIDGE student experience, ensuring that program practices support students’ academic, career, social, independent living, executive functioning, and self-advocacy goals.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive student support framework that promotes student development, persistence, independence, and successful completion of the BRIDGE Program.
• Ensure appropriate processes are in place for monitoring student progress and responding to academic, behavioral, social, and other student needs.
• Partner with the Associate Director and BRIDGE staff to identify student needs, coordinate appropriate interventions, and ensure consistent communication and follow-up.
• Serve as a senior point of contact for families and caregivers, particularly regarding significant student concerns, program expectations, student progress, and matters requiring administrative leadership.
• Develop and maintain strong, professional relationships with families, caregivers, brokers, fiscal intermediaries, and other individuals and organizations supporting BRIDGE students.
• Ensure that BRIDGE students have meaningful opportunities to participate in the broader University community and access appropriate campus resources and experiences.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the program’s approach to student conduct and behavioral concerns, including facilitating conduct meetings when appropriate.
• Ensure that student concerns are addressed in a timely, thoughtful, and student-centered manner and that appropriate documentation and follow-up processes are maintained.
• Collaborate with relevant University offices to coordinate support for students, including academic, accessibility, counseling, residential, career development, health and wellness, and campus engagement resources.
• Teach BRIDGE courses as needed based on programmatic and instructional needs.

Recruitment, Admissions & Enrollment

• Provide leadership for the recruitment and enrollment strategy of the BRIDGE Program, with responsibility for developing a strong and sustainable pipeline of prospective students.
• Oversee the BRIDGE admissions and application review process in collaboration with the Office of Admissions, ensuring that processes are timely, equitable, transparent, and aligned with program goals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with prospective students, families, school districts, transition programs, community-based organizations, disability service providers, and other referral partners.
• Represent the BRIDGE Program at transition fairs, conferences, school visits, community events, and other recruitment and outreach opportunities.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase awareness of the BRIDGE Program among prospective students, families, educators, professionals, and community partners.
• Monitor enrollment trends, recruitment outcomes, referral sources, and other relevant data to identify opportunities for strengthening recruitment and enrollment.
• Work collaboratively with the Office of Admissions and other University partners to ensure a coordinated and positive prospective student experience from initial inquiry through enrollment.
• Build relationships with prospective students and families that clearly communicate the mission, structure, expectations, and opportunities of the BRIDGE Program.
• Develop strategies to support student persistence and cohort stability in collaboration with BRIDGE staff and University partners.
• Collaborate with the University’s public relations and communications team to ensure that BRIDGE marketing and communications accurately reflect the program, its student experience, and its impact.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of BRIDGE recruitment and marketing materials, including website content, social media, presentations, informational materials, and other outreach resources.
• Identify opportunities to elevate the visibility and reputation of BRIDGE within the University, the region, and the broader field of inclusive postsecondary education.

Assessment, Outcomes & Continuous Improvement

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive assessment process for the BRIDGE Program that evaluates program effectiveness, student learning, student development, and overall student outcomes.
• Establish and monitor meaningful program outcomes aligned with the six core areas of BRIDGE: education, career exploration, executive functioning, independent living, self-advocacy, and socialization.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret quantitative and qualitative data related to student outcomes, enrollment, retention, completion, engagement, and other indicators of program effectiveness.
• Use assessment findings, student and family feedback, staff feedback, and emerging research and best practices to identify opportunities for program improvement and innovation.
• Regularly evaluate BRIDGE policies, practices, curriculum, services, and student experiences to ensure the program remains responsive to student needs and aligned with its mission.
• Prepare and submit program assessment reports and other required documentation for institutional review, accreditation, funding agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and records to support program evaluation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Communicate program outcomes, accomplishments, challenges, and areas for growth to the Associate Dean of Students and other University stakeholders.
• Develop and implement improvements based on assessment findings and monitor the effectiveness of those changes over time.
• Stay informed about current research, emerging practices, and developments in inclusive postsecondary education and incorporate relevant knowledge into program planning and practice.

University & External Partnerships

• Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships across the University to promote the inclusion and integration of BRIDGE students into the broader campus community.
• Serve as a primary liaison between the BRIDGE Program and University departments, schools, offices, and programs to identify opportunities that enhance the student experience and advance program goals.
• Collaborate with University departments to facilitate meaningful BRIDGE student participation in campus traditions, events, programs, and services, including Open House, Accepted Students Day, orientation, student activities, athletics, Commencement, and other University experiences.
• Identify and develop opportunities for BRIDGE students to engage with the University community in ways that promote belonging, independence, social development, leadership, and self-advocacy.
• Build and maintain partnerships with school districts, transition programs, community-based organizations, disability service providers, employers, government agencies, and other external organizations that support the goals of the BRIDGE Program.
• Develop partnerships that expand opportunities for BRIDGE students in areas including career exploration, internships, employment, community engagement, independent living, and continued education.
• Establish and maintain relationships with organizations and professionals in the field of inclusive postsecondary education to promote collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional growth.
• Represent the BRIDGE Program and the University at professional conferences, community events, transition fairs, meetings, and other external engagements.
• Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships, collaborative initiatives, and innovative programming that strengthen the BRIDGE Program and expand opportunities available to students.
• Serve as an ambassador for the BRIDGE Program by communicating its mission, impact, and value to internal and external audiences.

Budget, Fundraising & Program Sustainability

• Provide leadership in the financial management and long-term sustainability of the BRIDGE Program.
• In collaboration with the Associate Dean of Students, develop, manage, and monitor the annual BRIDGE budget and ensure responsible and strategic use of program resources.
• Monitor program expenditures and resource needs and make recommendations regarding staffing, programming, equipment, professional development, and other investments necessary to support program quality and student success.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the financial sustainability of the BRIDGE Program through institutional resources, external funding, partnerships, and other appropriate sources.
• Collaborate with the Office of Institutional Advancement to identify, develop, and pursue foundation, state, regional, and federal grant opportunities and other external funding opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of grant proposals, budgets, reports, and other materials required to secure and maintain external funding.
• Develop and maintain relationships with prospective funders, community partners, and other stakeholders who may support the continued development of the BRIDGE Program.
• Work collaboratively with families, brokers, fiscal intermediaries, and appropriate external partners to support students and families in understanding and maximizing available funding resources, including OPWDD Self-Direction reimbursement where applicable.
• Assess program resource needs and identify opportunities to leverage existing University and community resources to enhance the student experience.
• Ensure that financial and resource decisions support the program’s mission, student outcomes, staff effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.

Staff Leadership, Supervision & Development

• Provide strong, collaborative, and supportive leadership to BRIDGE staff, fostering a culture of trust, accountability, inclusion, professionalism, and shared commitment to student success.
• Supervise the Associate Director and other assigned BRIDGE professional and administrative staff, providing clear expectations, regular feedback, coaching, and performance management.
• Establish and maintain clear roles, responsibilities, reporting relationships, and expectations across BRIDGE staff.
• Work with the Associate Director to ensure effective coordination of instructional staff and clarify the respective responsibilities of program leadership, instructional supervision, and student support.
• Assess staffing needs and make recommendations regarding staffing levels, position responsibilities, recruitment, and organizational structure to support effective program operations.
• Recruit, onboard, develop, and retain qualified BRIDGE staff in collaboration with appropriate University offices.
• Create opportunities for ongoing professional development related to inclusive postsecondary education, developmental disabilities, student development, transition services, behavioral support, and other areas relevant to the BRIDGE Program.
• Establish regular team communication and collaboration practices that promote transparency, consistency, and effective information sharing.
• Foster a team environment in which staff feel supported, valued, and empowered to contribute ideas and identify opportunities for program improvement.
• Address performance concerns, interpersonal challenges, and other personnel matters in a timely, professional, and constructive manner in accordance with University policies and procedures.
• Recognize and celebrate staff contributions and accomplishments and promote a culture of appreciation and professional growth.
• Model the values, professionalism, compassion, and student-centered approach expected of all BRIDGE staff.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in education, social work, special education, disability studies, higher education, counseling, or a related field
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience working with and supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, disabilities, or related populations.
• Demonstrated experience providing program leadership and/or developing and implementing educational or support programs.
• Experience supervising professional staff and managing program operations.
• Experience developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
• Experience working in an education-based setting, preferably within a postsecondary environment.
• Strong communication, organizational, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with students, families, faculty, staff, community organizations, and external partners
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive education, disability inclusion, and supporting the holistic development and independence of young adults with developmental disabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through change, establish organizational structure, build collaborative teams, and foster a culture of accountability, trust, and continuous improvement.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other common administrative and educational technology platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in an inclusive postsecondary education program or college transition program for students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
• Experience working with college-based programs serving students with developmental disabilities.
• Experience with grant writing, fundraising, or other external funding development.
• Knowledge of OPWDD services, Self-Direction, and other funding or support systems available to individuals with developmental disabilities in New York State.
• Experience with program assessment, outcomes measurement, accreditation, or program evaluation.
• Experience developing partnerships with employers, community organizations, school districts, and transition programs.
• Experience teaching or developing curriculum for students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

Benefits

The allotted salary range for the position $85,000 to $95,000

• Paid time off, including vacation and sick leave
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Enhanced Short-Term Disability coverage
• Employer-paid Long-Term Disability coverage
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Commuter benefits
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development opportunities
• Tuition benefits for employees and their dependents