Program Manager, Upward Bound

Job Purpose

The Upward Bound (UB) Program Manager is vital in empowering low-income, first-generation students to pursue higher education. This role involves leading efforts to identify, recruit, and enroll high school students into the program while providing tailored college preparatory and academic support services to help them succeed.

From recruitment to graduation preparation, the UB Program Manager oversees various services designed to meet the students' individual needs. These services include guiding participants through intake and assessment, offering academic advising and programming, connecting them to tutoring resources, supporting them in selecting colleges, completing applications, and navigating financial aid processes like Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition to managing participant services, the Program Manager ensures the daily operation of the program by supervising full-time, part-time, and temporary staff. Their leadership helps create a supportive and effective environment for high school students transitioning into postsecondary education. This position reports to the Director, Office of Federal TRIO Programs.

Essential Functions

• Develop, implement, and manage programming for the TRIO Upward Bound Program to enhance the educational success of participants each year, while ensuring compliance with grant objectives, U.S. Department of Education regulations, and University policies.
• Lead the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, supervision, and evaluation of full-time and part-time staff, fostering a collaborative team dedicated to developing and delivering an innovative academic and college preparatory curriculum that supports students' academic growth and smooth transition into higher education.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with WSU staff and faculty, target schools, and youth-serving community partners to recruit new students to the program and ensure the success of continuing participants.
• Prepare and monitor grant budget. Complete annual financial reports. Allocate resources and manage expenditures in accordance with federal, University, and departmental policies, and procedures.
• Develop and manage organized recordkeeping and data collection systems to track participant eligibility, services provided and assess program outcomes. Maintain and update participant files while monitoring their performance, retention, program completion, postsecondary enrollment, and progress toward college graduation.
• Prepare and submit the UB grant proposal and annual performance reports in accordance with Department of Education guidelines to maintain funding.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.