Associate Director

Position Overview

The Associate Director of First-Generation Institute reports directly to Assistant Dean/Faculty Director of the First Generation Institute. First-Generation students comprise close to 25% of the UMN student body. Nationally 56% of college students are first-generation. The First-Gen Institute (FGI) at the UMN Twin Cities works to (1) employ evidence-based research to better prepare faculty and staff to support FG students toward achieving retention and graduation; and (2) to build partnerships across post-secondary institutions to restructure higher education and build communities of practice to establish representation and visibility for FG students.With the Assistant Dean/Faculty Director, this role is intended to continue and strengthen institutional capacity to serve first-generation students, faculty, and staff, aligning with campus practices (e.g., MPACT 2025) to create a comprehensive and cohesive approach to supporting the first-generation community by employing evidence based research to shift structural and systemic barriers locally and build toward national reach.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval prior to offer.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Development, Planning, and Operations (25%)

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships and communities of practice within and across programs, institutions, and organizations that support first-generation students, faculty, and staff.
• Partner with the Faculty Director to Develop workshops, trainings, sessions, and conferences.
• Create tools, strategies, and curriculum, not limited to welcomed guiding frameworks and practices for first-generation students, to enhance and contribute to pedagogical practices in higher education and diversity plans and initiatives across campus.
• Manage logistics related to event planning for the various programs, including but not limited to the First-Generation Institute conferences and training.
• Create guiding spaces, forums, and innovative initiatives in support of the first-generation community within and outside of the College of Education and Human Development.
• Oversee and coordinate the microgrant application, submission, review, and dissemination process.
• Manage and participate in NASPA First-Gen Forward meetings and yearly goal development and submissions.
• Serve as representative in University-wide first-generation week planning meetings, coordinating planning and follow-ups when necessary.
• Collaborate on communications (print and digital) and marketing strategy for programs to staff, faculty, and students with communications administrators, including the management of FGI website and social media.
• Provide direct or indirect supervision (with the Assistant Dean/Faculty Director) of graduate and undergraduate assistants.

Research, Evaluation, Measurement, and Dissemination (40%)

• With supervision from the Faculty Director, seek out, write, and submit grant proposals, technical and annual reports, and research manuscripts for the First-Generation Institute.
• Collaborate on PI-led research projects, which include conceptualizing research projects, submitting IRB, marketing for recruitment, scheduling interviews, managing interview schedule, data collection and analysis processes.
• Create and collaborate on data banks and data visualizations related to first-generation students, faculty, and staff, including using institutional, programmatic, and collegiate data.
• Provide research, evaluation, and measurement support to organizations affiliated, and collaborative with, the First-Generation Institute (e.g., TRIO).
• Analyze and share assessment and evaluation data to provide recommendations.
• Partner with the Faculty Director to generate, produce, submit, and present scholarship on topics related to first-gen students (e.g., hidden curriculum) and educational success for first-generation plus students, faculty, and staff, with particular emphasis on aligning with the MPACT 2025 goals.

Engagement, Outreach, and Capacity Building (30%)

• Create and facilitate opportunities to build advocacy and capacity for first-generation communities, including undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, staff, and professionals and practitioners.
• Engage in praxis with organizations within and outside of the College of Education and Human Development to support First-Generation initiatives.
• In partnership and under guidance of FGI Faculty Director, scale systemwide teaching, research, and practice models that increase access and meet the needs of the first-generation community.
• Work with the Faculty Director to develop metrics that strengthen outcomes and elevate voices of first-generation students, faculty, staff, and professionals and practitioners.
• Work with the Faculty Director to develop a national presence of University of Minnesota's, College of Education and Human Development's, and First-Generation Institute's commitment to first-generation plus students, faculty, staff, professionals, practitioners, and community members.
• Develop a centralized resource hub to support the personal, professional, and academic progress of the First-Generation community.

Professional Development (5%)

• Engage in professional development and dissemination of scholarly practice at regional and national conferences including but not limited to National Association of Student Affairs Professionals (NASPA); American Educational Research Association (AERA)

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in relevant field ( Higher Ed, Counseling, Social Work, Student Affairs), with at least 4 years of experience or a BA/BS with at least 6 years of relevant post-degree experience; may lead a small homogeneous department or larger process-oriented area whose members perform like activities. May provide analytical or technical support to more senior members within the same disciplinary track.
• Demonstrated experience working in multidisciplinary and multicultural contexts.
• Evidence of attention to diverse identities in teaching or professional experience, and the commitment to support the University's work in diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Ability to travel and represent the Institute at conference and trainings
• Experience with teaching, facilitating, and presenting to diverse audiences (e.g., undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and professional staff)
• Proven ability in event planning and project management
• Experience with working across multiple offices and departments and ability to build and maintain relationships
• Demonstrated experience working and supporting First-Gen students and their intersecting identities (e.g., low-income, immigrant, refugee)
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. preferred in in higher education related discipline ( e.g. Educational Psychology, Higher education leadership & Student Affairs, Counseling Psychology)
  Familiarity with grant writing and grant making processes
• Experience in designing and developing inclusive curriculum and training presentations for broad audiences
• Experience with evaluation and assessment of data (collecting data, analyzing data, summarizing data)
• Experience with developing effective communication and marketing strategies
• Experience collaborating across MN based higher education and/ or Higher education adjacent institutions (College Possible, Avid, BreakThrough Twin Cities etc)
• Demonstrated evidence of research and praxis around intersectional experiences of first-generation college students.
• Employing data and research to create strategic vision for meeting mission goals and objectives
• Experience teaching in public, private and/ or community colleges

Department Overview

The First-Gen Institute is a national hub for research, partnerships, and institutional strategy focused on expanding access, opportunity, and success for first-generation students, graduate students, faculty, and student affairs professionals in higher education. We define first-generation individuals to be those who may have graduated with a four-year degree and whose parents or caregivers did not complete a 4-year college degree. Our work champions the unique strengths, insights, and contributions of first-gen individuals while fostering environments that promote inclusive learning, mentorship, and leadership. Through data-driven initiatives, collaborative networks, and tailored programming, we equip institutions and individuals with key tools and strategies to navigate and transform higher education systems.

College Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the third largest college at the University, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of the life span. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice. https://www.cehd.umn.edu/

Pay Range: The salary range for this position is $68,000 - $78,000. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment: 100%

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position will remain open until filled.

*To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).