Academy Director, First Star Illinois State University Academy

Title: Academy Director, First Star Illinois State University Academy
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: School of Social Work
Campus Location: Normal, IL

The First Star Academy at Illinois State University is an innovative program that empowers high school foster youth to overcome abysmal education outcomes. Nationally, only 50% of foster youth graduate high school, and less than 3% earn a college degree. There are currently 12 Academies operating on university campuses throughout the United States.

First Star is a four-year college prep program that hosts up to 12 high school foster youth for monthly Saturday enrichment and a two-three week summer residential experience on the Illinois State University campus. First Star Academy aims to prepare youth for successful matriculation into two- or four-year colleges or universities and adulthood.

This is a non-continuous, grant funded position. The initial appointment will end on 6-30-2025, the end of the current grant year. Appointment renewal for the following grant year will be based upon available grant funding and performance.

Commensurate with experience and qualifications

1. Master's Degree in Social Work or related field.
2. Professional experience working with vulnerable student populations, preferably older youth/teens, and foster youth.
3. Experience developing education and life skills curriculum.
4. Demonstrated leadership and management skills and skills in setting priorities that accurately reflect relative importance of job responsibilities.
5. Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with executive leaders, faculty, staff, student, caregivers, and community members.
6. Ability to work with a diverse population including communicating with people from diverse culture and ethnic backgrounds, socio-economic, educational levels.
7. Effective in communication in individual or large group settings, as well as from subordinate staff to senior and executive level administrators.
8. Skill in working independently and following through on assignments with minimal direction.
9. Willingness to work weekends and evenings, as needed.

5+ years of professional experience working with vulnerable student populations, preferably older youth/teens, and foster youth.

Mostly day time with occasional evening and week-end

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
2. Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis

August 2024

Resume / C.V.
Cover Letter
Reference List - (specifically, the names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of at least three professional references)

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Initial application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

All application materials must be submitted online. Application materials submitted via fax, email, or mail will not be accepted.

Please prepare in advance separate documents representing a cover letter, reference list (specifically, the names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of at least three professional references), and resume/C.V. to attach to this application.

Deneca Winfrey Avant
[email protected]

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383 . The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311 .