Associate Director of Diversity and Access for Pre-College Programs

About Northeastern:

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experience-driven lifelong learning. Our world-renowned experiential approach empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create impact far beyond the confines of discipline, degree, and campus.

Our locations—in Boston; Charlotte, North Carolina; London; Portland, Maine; San Francisco; Seattle; Silicon Valley; Toronto; Vancouver; and the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant—are nodes in our growing global university system. Through this network, we expand opportunities for flexible, student-centered learning and collaborative, solutions-focused research.

Northeastern’s comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs— in a variety of on-campus and online formats—lead to degrees through the doctorate in nine colleges and schools. Among these, we offer more than 195 multi-discipline majors and degrees designed to prepare students for purposeful lives and careers.

About the Opportunity:

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Pre-College Programs and as part of an overall undergraduate enrollment recruitment strategy aimed at deepening the level of engagement with prospective students from diverse backgrounds, the Associate Director of Diversity and Access for Pre-College programs will design and implement an effective outreach and recruitment strategy for prospective pre-college students. The Associate Director is responsible for providing strategic direction and leadership to diversity and access recruitment and enrollment activities designed to increase the enrollment and retention of underrepresented students of color, students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as first generation college students. The responsibilities of the Associate Director will include the following for the aforementioned populations: proposing and implementing new programs, initiatives, and partnerships; supporting recruitment and enrollment efforts; benchmarking current recruitment and retention activities with peer institutions’ pre-college programs; and interacting with cross-university departments to support the work of the pre-college team.
The Associate Director will leverage an understanding of the broader diversity and access goals of the university and align the pre-college unit’s recruitment and enrollment goals accordingly. They will collaborate with the Director of Pre-College Programs and other pre-college team members in proposing an enrollment strategy for students of diverse backgrounds. The key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following: proactive recruitment outreach to underrepresented and first-generation student populations, their families, and aligned students and organizations; work with various colleges and faculty to set common goals for representation in programs; counsel and advise students and families regarding the admission and enrollment process; evaluate applications for admissions; work with Student Financial Services on financial model to support students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds; seek out other opportunities to financially support students, such as scholarship or donor funding and partnerships with community based organizations; establish, develop and maintain relationships with schools and community organizations; develop and execute elements of pre-college programming that support these student populations (e.g. preparation before arrival, focus groups during programs, etc.); work with pre-college team for seasonal staff hiring to ensure a diverse team; oversee ongoing program assessments and recommend improvements to better support these student populations; assist the Director and Pre-College team in developing pipeline initiatives for underrepresented student populations, including programming for younger students (e.g. middle school-aged). Additional responsibilities in working with the overall pre-college team may include: triage and escalation of student issues; event management, seasonal staff hiring and training, chaperoning student events; coordinating field trips; marketing and communication efforts.
To accomplish the primary goals of this role, the Associate Director of Diversity and Access for Pre-College programs will be asked to work collaboratively with various units across the institution, including, but not limited to, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Office of the Chancellor, Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (Provost), Enrollment Marketing, the Enrollment Management Contact Center, the Office of Global Services, External Events and Conference Planning, Office of the University Registrar, Student Accounts, Risk Management, Facilities, Catering, and academic departments.
The individual in this role must be willing to work extended hours in the evenings and weekends, especially during the summer months. Occasional domestic—and potentially international—travel throughout the year is required. Moreover, in addition to the primary duties associated with supporting the Pre-College Programs, the individual in this role may be asked to review undergraduate admissions applications and will be required to attend Undergraduate Admissions events throughout the course of the year, performing duties and assignments as requested. Individuals must obtain and provide a successful Massachusetts criminal record check (CORI) prior to starting this role and will be required to keep current with Risk Services training requirements on an annual basis.

Qualifications:

· Bachelor's degree required; Master’s degree preferred. Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in a professional position, preferably at an institution of higher education.
· Proven track record of a commitment to diversity and access required.
· Must be able to think critically and creatively, and provide support on enrollment-related and student service matters. Must have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with specific deadlines to accomplish tasks. Must have the ability to multi-task, be organized, and work independently. Must have a high level of customer service skills and attention to detail. Travel required throughout the course of the year to recruit program participants and support programs being run at other campus locations. Willingness and ability to work evening and weekend hours.
· Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

 Event planning skills are a plus.

Salary Grade:

 12