ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, DUKELIFE (OUE)

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Job Summary: The DukeLIFE (Low Income, First-Generation Engagement) office is a unit in the Intellectual Community division of the Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE). The mission of DukeLIFE is to enhance the academic experiences of undergraduates who are first-generation and from lower-income backgrounds (1G/LI students). Its programming and initiatives provide students with support to promote their full participation in the university’s intellectual communities. The office also fosters socio-economic inclusion and racial equity at Duke by coordinating resources and support strategies with campus partners to meet the needs of the 1G/LI undergraduate community.

David M. Rubenstein Scholars (DMRS) is a merit program in the Office of University Scholars and Fellows (OUSF) for outstanding Duke undergraduates who are first-generation college students. The program provides DMR scholars with mentorship and resources to shape their paths at Duke and beyond. The DukeLIFE staff administers this program.

DukeLIFE and the DMRS program are committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and educational experiences that recognize diversity and cultural competence as integral components of academic and organizational excellence. Candidates who can contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply and identify their strengths in this area.

This is an opportunity for a talented professional to join a team doing innovative work in undergraduate education. As a member of the DukeLIFE staff, the successful candidate will be responsible for creating and managing academic skill development programs at the undergraduate level and collaborating with campus and external partners to help 1G/LI students excel academically, strengthen their connections to faculty, and take full advantage of Duke’s curricular and co-curricular opportunities. The assistant director’s portfolio includes the management of the following major initiatives: the ASCEND program, alumni engagement, and DukeLIFE grant opportunities. The position reports to the DukeLIFE/DMRS director.

Work Performed:

Program Management (50%)

• Lead the ASCEND summer academic experience for incoming first-year students: recruit, train, and supervise undergraduate coaches and math department graders; develop and implement a marketing plan to recruit program participants; maintain student records and assessment data; and sustain critical inter-institutional partnerships and collaborations with Duke offices
• Design and implement academic year programming for the ASCEND cohort, including the fall retreat
• Assist OUSF and DMRS leadership in managing the annual recruitment process and retreat for new Rubenstein scholars
• Work with the DukeLIFE director in developing and implementing departmental policies and processes for DukeLIFE grant opportunities
• Manage the monthly review process for DukeLIFE grant opportunities and work with the staff specialist and business manager to meet internal and external deadlines for funds to be distributed

Records, Assessment, and Reporting (20%)

• Employ best practices and evidence-based approaches in the design of processes and programs that support 1G/LI students
• Track ASCEND program completion rates and analyze student progress throughout their time at Duke; make appropriate recommendations; participate in short and long-range planning
• Engage undergraduate students and understand their needs for support
• Collaborate with the director on the design and implementation of assessment strategies to examine the impact of programming
• Write year-end reports on programming initiatives and contribute the stewardship reports based on assessment data

Student Development & Supervision (20%)

• Design and deliver 6-session training to ASCEND coaches
• Provide mentorship and advisement to the ASCEND 1st year cohort
• Recruit and train student programming assistants. Supervise them in the development of the newsletter and social media posts
• Help advise the DukeLIFE and QuestBridge student organizations

Stakeholder Relations and Partnerships (10%)

• Maintain relationships with campus departments, programs, organizations, groups as well as professional associations, and other institutions to achieve goals and objectives

• Serve as the liaison to the Duke FIRST alumni affinity group
• Act as liaison to other Duke offices, including various STEM departments, Student Affairs, Admissions, Financial Aid, and other OUE units
• Serve on committees and advance the work of the office and of OUE as necessary

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Preferred experience

• Strong organizational, time management, and project management skills, with the ability to manage and support multiple projects at different stages with an emphasis on accuracy and meeting milestones and deadlines
• Experience in strategic planning and implementation
• Possesses initiative skills: curiosity, self-management, decisiveness, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and adaptability
• Proficient writing experience and comfort with public speaking and presentations
• Some evening work and weekend work required
• Incorporates an anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens into work responsibilities and processes Experience working directly with and elevating ideas from people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Ability to serve as an advocate for individuals of all backgrounds
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are core values of OUE. We believe that the educational environment is enhanced when diverse groups of people with diverse ideas come together to learn. Applicants with a demonstrated commitment to diversity issues in higher education are encouraged to apply.
• Strong oral, written, and intercultural communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and balance multiple projects at one time
• Candidates with Spanish language proficiency are encouraged to apply

Work requires knowledge of academic program planning, development and implementation generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.

Work requires two years of experience in an academic and/or administrative capacity to become familiar with various academic, co curricular, programmatic and/or administrative activities. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.