Director - Program Leading to University Success

Eastern Washington University, United States

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Cheney, WASHINGTON
Deadline: 10 Jan 2023

Posting Details
Posting Details


Position Title Director - Program Leading to University Success
Posting Number 2022125EP

Position Information


Classification Title Dir-Learning Commons
Working Title Director - Program Leading to University Success
Classification Code 1730
RCW Exemption Criteria 17 - Managerial
EWU Position Number E99953
CUPA Code No Match
FLSA Exempt - Administrative
Bargaining Unit None
% Full Time 100
Salary / Wage Range AE - 113
Salary Information
The salary range for this position is $75,272 (minimum) up to $79,774. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience and skills.
Anticipated Start Date
Term of Appointment 12 months
Location Cheney
County Spokane
Project Description
N/A
Project Duration N/A
Background Check Yes - Both
Responsible HR User Saundra Godin
Responsible HR User Email address [email protected]

Posting Text


Job Summary
The Program Leading to University Success (PLUS), Eastern Washington University, invites applicants for their Director, Program Leading to University Success (PLUS) position.
Under the general direction of the Assistant Vice President of Student Success, Policy, and Planning, the director of the Program Leading to University Success (PLUS) is responsible for providing strategic leadership, organization, and planning for all PLUS academic support services. The director works with students, faculty, and staff to further the mission and vision of PLUS and EWU.
PLUS provides peer-based collaborative study groups, supplemental instruction, tutoring (in person and online), academic coaching, and student success workshops and programs.
The PLUS director supervises the program’s daily operations and partners with students, faculty, and staff to ensure that the planning, implementation, and evaluation of academic support programs, resources, and tools meets the needs of the campus community. In addition, the director builds effective partnerships with academic departments and works in collaboration with other programs on campus that offer academic support, including but not limited to the Center for Academic Advising & Retention; Institutional Research; Undergraduate Policy & Planning; College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP); Student Success Collaborative Council and Title III grant; the Library and Learning Commons; Career Services; Student Accommodations & Support Services; and the Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
The director directly supervises an assistant director, two retention specialists, two graduate student associates (GSAs), and indirectly oversees the work of 70-90 student employees. This position is also responsible for hiring, training, assessment, budgetary management, and marketing the program and its services to the campus community. It is essential that the director remain current on research and best practices in tutoring and academic support, applying this knowledge towards continual program improvement and development.
Applications will be accepted until January 10, 2023; screening of applications will begin the following day. All materials will be held in strictest confidence; references will not be contacted until candidates have been notified.
Please refer to the Job Duties section for a more complete list of position responsibilities.
On top of salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, life and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays per year and fringe benefits, such as tuition waiver for employees, discounted EWU sports tickets and free transportation through STA buses. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/benefits/insurance/ .
EWU expands opportunities for personal transformation through excellence in learning.
About Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University, a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students, is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. EWU’s 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Washington’s second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the innovative, energy-efficient Catalyst building and at Riverpoint, a campus shared with Washington State University. In addition, EWU programs can be found at select locations throughout the state, aligned with the needs of the community. Eastern contributes to the vitality of the region and the state through its wide array of bachelor’s and master’s degrees in over 100 fields of study, as well as applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership, offering accessible pathways to career success and personal development to students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
Tribal Land Acknowledgement
Eastern Washington University resides within the traditional homelands of the Spokane People and other tribes who are connected through their shared history of this region. This land holds their cultural DNA and it is their Ancestors who are here and bring forth the knowledge of this place—the knowledge that comes from the land.
Diversity Statement
EWU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws.
Conditions of Employment
This position, during the course of university employment will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value, as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.
All new employees must comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR and proof they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before beginning work at EWU.
  • Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs. COVID-19 Vaccination and Exemption Information link: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/


Upon hire – You must complete required DEI, Hazing, and Harassment and Title IX training. The training will be available online, in person or via Zoom. In person and Zoom training opportunities will be posted on InsideEWU and listed on Human Resources’ webpage.
Physical Demands
Optional: Contact Saundra Godin in Human Resource Services at [email protected] to obtain a copy of the Essential Functions Analysis which will describe conditions of employment, such as physical and mental demands.
Pre-Placement Physical No
Hearing Test No
Medical Monitoring Post Hire No
Protective Equipment
University, local, regional and state mandates for public and personal protection should be followed as needed.
Required Qualifications
  • Master’s degree from an accredited university/college in education, counseling, psychology, sociology, social work, or related field.
  • Minimum of three years of experience in program coordination and evaluation of academic support.
  • Minimum of three years’ experience managing and monitoring a budget.
  • Leadership experience in an academic support unit (or comparable setting).
  • Extensive experience in hiring, supervising, effectively working with, and retaining a diverse group of professionals and student employees in a higher education environment.
  • Experience in planning, coordinating, and executing projects, working with multiple stakeholders.
  • Knowledge of budget preparation and development.
  • Knowledge of current and developing trends in tutoring and academic support services.
  • Experience delivering tutoring and academic support to underrepresented, low-income and first-generation college students and developing programs to support the needs of this population.
  • Ability to use conflict resolution skills and professional communication when resolving complex issues and de-escalating challenging interactions.
  • Experience collaborating with cross-campus stakeholders, such as faculty, advising staff, administrators, and student success services and support, to develop and deliver effective academic support programs and services.
  • Experience in developing student tutors through creating and leading tutor education and training.
  • Strong communication skills (writing, speaking, listening, and presenting) and the ability to apply these skills to communicate effectively with multiple constituents and stakeholders.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills and the ability to work independently to meet deadlines and goals.
  • Candidate must demonstrate interest, ability and/or experience promoting cultural competency, universal accessibility and/or diversity.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Demonstrated success in a professional capacity as an Assistant Director or equivalent type position in a higher education program(s).
  • Experience utilizing CRLA (College Reading and Learning Association) practices and standards to facilitate tutor and academic coach training.
  • Knowledge of best practices in student success and retention strategies
  • Experience using Navigate/EAB for tutoring and academic support.
  • Experience marketing a student success program
  • Experience managing professional staff in a unionized higher education environment
  • Experience managing student employees in a higher education environment
  • Knowledge of and experience with Supplemental Instruction
  • Knowledge of and experience with Peer Academic Coaching
Other Skills and Abilities
  • Flexibility
  • Collaboration
  • Collegiality
  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Time Management
  • Attention to Detail
Work Schedule Type Regular
Work Schedule
Typically Monday-Friday, 8am – 5pm with occasional evening and weekends based on the needs of the department and the university.
Posting Date 12/27/2022
Open Until Further Notice No
Closing Date 01/10/2023
Screening to Begin 01/11/23
Special Instructions to Applicants
To be considered for this opportunity, please submit your application materials through our online application portal located here: https://jobs.hr.ewu.edu. If you are unable to submit through the applicant portal, contact Human Resources Services at (509) 359-2381.
Applications will be accepted until January 10, 2023; screening of applications will begin the next day.
It is strongly recommended that you print a copy of these instructions and the position posting before you begin to complete the online application, as the instructions will not be viewable once you begin the application process.
Required documentation includes all of the items listed below.
  • Attach a detailed cover letter in which you explain how you meet each of the required qualifications [and preferred qualifications, if applicable]. It is preferred that you provide that information in a bulleted list or within a table within your cover letter.
  • Attach a chronological resume including work history and major duties, education, and any specialized training or skills related to the position. List at least 3 professional references including: names, titles, organization name, phone numbers, email addresses, and connection to you (these can be identical to the references listed on the application).
  • Complete the online application form and respond to the online questions, if applicable.
  • Diversity Response – As an equal opportunity employer with a multicultural staff and student population, we are interested in how your qualifications prepare you to work with diverse faculty, staff, and student populations representing various cultures and backgrounds that may be different from your own. You will be asked to attach a diversity response as part of the online application process: Please describe how you will apply an approach that is supportive to the diverse needs, including universal access, of our students, faculty, staff, and the public.


    • All materials will be held in strictest confidence; references will not be contacted until candidates have been notified. Note: Letters of Reference are not required at this time. We reserve the right to request letters of reference at a future date, such as once we have identified interview candidates.
    Application Types Accepted Application

    Job Duties


    % of Time 40
    Responsibility / Duty
    Leadership/Strategic Planning
    • Facilitate comprehensive tutoring and academic support efforts on campus, improving the delivery of support services with a focus on retention, student success, and graduation.
    • Work with EWU’s faculty, staff and students to develop the PLUS’ mission, vision, and student learning outcomes.
    • Work collaboratively with PLUS’ faculty, staff, and students to develop, plan, execute, and evaluate tutoring and academic support functions and operations.
    • Through ongoing assessment and data-informed decision-making, lead continual program development and improvement for PLUS.
    • Set annual goals for PLUS and work with the faculty, staff and students to develop initiatives and projects in alignment with these goals.
    • Apply research and best practices in the field of tutoring and academic support to ensure the delivery of relevant and appropriate student support services.
    • Apply technology to improve and enhance tutoring and academic support services.
    • Assess PLUS’ needs and advocate for appropriate resources to carry out the program’s services and to provide necessary professional development for employees.
    Essential Function Indicator Yes
    % of Time 40
    Responsibility / Duty
    Management/Supervision/Operations
    • Hire, manage, evaluate, and support assistant director and retention specialists so that may effectively develop and deliver learning support services for PLUS
    • Work with PLUS staff to execute all operational aspects of the program, including but not limited to the day-to-day administrative functions, including delivering tutoring and coaching services, offering workshops, scheduling, executing training, project management, event planning, marketing, and budgeting.
    • Develop, propose, and administer budget for the program.
    • Oversee PLUS staff efforts to recruit, hire, onboard, train, and evaluate 70-90 student employees annually through.
    • Develop, manage, maintain, and execute coordinated, ongoing CRLA (College Reading and Learning Association) training for tutors, PLUS PALs (SI leaders) and coaches both in PLUS and with other partners on campus.
    • Oversee the daily use of tutor tracking software (Navigate/EAB) for the purposes of scheduling, data collection, and communication among tutors, faculty, and other campus student support professionals.
    • Maintain statistics about and report regularly on the use of PLUS services; reports to include information on usage of services as well as their effectiveness and students’ satisfaction/feedback.
    • Formulate and implement policies and procedures that are equity-minded and ensure the effective use of tutoring and academic support for all EWU students.
    • Ensure that PLUS offers outstanding student support in a welcoming, customer service-oriented environment.
    Essential Function Indicator Yes
    % of Time 20
    Responsibility / Duty
    Outreach/Communication/Collaboration
    • Facilitate collaboration and coordination with all departments and units on campus who are providing tutoring and academic support services.
    • Facilitate marketing efforts for program working closely with EWU’s Office of Marketing and Communications
    • Through campus collaborations, promote campus participation in professional development opportunities and organizations that advance tutoring and academic support.
    • Develop and maintain positive working relationships with academic departments, faculty, student support services, student organizations, and campus and EWU colleagues.
    • Serve as the representative for PLUS on various campus committees.
    • Present on behalf of PLUS to internal and external constituents
    • Collaborate with other units on campus to implement campus-wide initiatives in support of strengthening tutoring and academic support services.
    Essential Function Indicator Yes

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