Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) is a public Research Institution with a total enrollment of 47,000 students. IUB hosts top academic programs in a range of disciplines including performing arts, informatics, and business. With Big 10 sports, more than 700 student organizations, a vibrant artist community, and plenty of other opportunities for involvement, IU is a campus full of energy and life.
Diversity is a priority for IU. Proudly welcoming a variety of viewpoints, students come from all 92 Indiana counties, all 50 U.S. states and 121 countries of citizenship. IU Bloomington's students also bring to campus diverse cultural backgrounds with domestic students of color making up 28 percent of the student body, a record share of the population. International student enrollment also increased to 5,437 students. In addition to diverse geographic backgrounds, 73 percent of incoming students received gift aid, including scholarships and grants, which is an increase from the previous fall. The incoming class of beginning students also includes 1,523 students receiving federal Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students demonstrating exceptional financial need.
In the fall of 2025, Indiana University Bloomington will launch the First Generation and Limited/Low-Income Students Program. This program at Indiana University Bloomington will exist to provide support, community, and connection for students who are the first to attend college in their family. The program also supports students who display an exceptional financial need. In collaboration with students, faculty, and staff across campus, the First Generation and Low Income Office assists students in navigating and accessing resources to make their transition to and through IU successful.
The Office of Student Life is focused on building a strong foundation to ensure every student's Indiana University experience is positive, safe, healthy, and meaningful. The Office of Student Life staff and multiple departments aim to help students navigate their time at IU, providing the tools they need to be successful in school and after graduation. Students are our priority, and their health, safety, and overall well-being are our core mission.
Job Summary
The Director is responsible for working in partnership with other campus community members to develop and implement the vision and infrastructure for the First Generation and Limited and Low-Income Students Program. The Director will supervise a team of professional staff charged with providing service directly to students. The Director will also demonstrate leadership in various campus work teams focused on the experiences of first-generation students and students who demonstrate exceptional financial need.
Department-Specific Responsibilities
Strategic Development, Planning, and Operations (50%)
Develops and enacts a bold and innovative vision for the First Generation/Low Income Office.
Strategically leads in the areas of diversity and inclusion, human resources, policy development, and operational planning.
Stewards a departmental budget.
Provides supervision, training and evaluation of programs and staff.
Hires professional, graduate, and undergraduate staff and interns.
Performs other appropriate related duties.
Engagement, Outreach, and Capacity Building (40%)
Works effectively with a wide variety of constituent groups including students, staff, administrators, trustees, faculty, alumni, and parents of current/prospective students.
Promotes and hosts regular academic, professional and community-building events that center the strengths, skills, and diverse experiences of students.
Fosters a sense of community and celebration.
Participates in the annual new student recruiting and yielding activities.
Participates in staff, committee, and other meetings as assigned.
Serves as an advocate and resource for assigned students and maintains frequent, systematic contact with those students.
Builds and maintains intentional relationships with the colleges departments and/or relevant campus units to ensure accurate dissemination of information.
Research, Evaluation, Measurement, and Dissemination (5%)
Employs an approach of continuous improvement based on assessment and evaluation data.
Develops, implements, and assesses retention strategies.
Collaborates on and manages student initiatives communication strategy (social media, print, and annual reports).
Professional Development (5%)
Maintains awareness of current trends and best practices regarding student outreach and/or retention.
General Responsibilities
Provides highest level of operational leadership and coordination of assigned staff members to define student life methodologies and standards; provides direction and guidance on high priority student life projects/initiatives.
Establishes short-term business plans and long-term operational objectives, including managing project timelines/deliverables and developing resource plans for multi-project/multiphase student life initiatives.
Conducts a variety of personnel actions to include, but not limited to hiring, promotion, performance management, and dismissal.
Manages high level assignments and allocation of student life resources, including negotiating and coordinating initiatives that involve staff in other departments/areas/teams; may coordinate large-scale student life projects with a wide audiences in support of academic initiatives.
Makes budgetary recommendations/proposals based on resource needs and ensures cost containment.
Researches and stays up-to-date on new industry student life standards, technologies, policies, and procedures; responsible for the implementation of new protocols/procedures to address business needs.
Works collaboratively with other student life leaders across departments in recommending standards, best practices, and related policies/procedures.
Prepares management reports and summaries for senior administration, executive, steering and advisory committees; acts as advisor to executive committees; serves on various university committees, communities of practice, and task forces related to student life.
May serve on various campus or cross-functional committees to share student life best practices.
Qualifications
Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.
EDUCATION
Required
Bachelor's degree in education, public affairs, public health, social work, counseling, or related field.
Preferred
Master's degree in higher education student affairs or a related field (education leadership, counseling, social work, etc.).
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required
4 years in student life, higher education student affairs, or related field.
1 year of management experience in relevant field.
Preferred
5 years of supervisory/managerial and administrative experience in post-secondary setting.
Experience with delivering student-focused services, including planning, and implementing programs aimed at the retention and graduation of first generation and limited income students.
Experience evaluating and analyzing data, and conducting program evaluation to assess for improvement or goal completion on student learning outcomes.
Experience with policy implementation and needs assessment around first-generation and limited income student populations.
Experience planning and facilitating training workshops, and/or teaching.
SKILLS
Required
Proficient communication skills.
Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills.
Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
Excellent organizational skills.
Excellent collaboration and team building skills.
Effectively coaches and delivers constructive feedback.
Instills commitment to organizational goals.
Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skills.
Effective conflict management skills.
Builds and manages effective teams.
Ability to influence internal and/or external constituents.
Demonstrated ability to maintain confidential information.
Demonstrates customer service skills.
Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
Commitment to working with people from diverse backgrounds and demonstrated cultural competency.
Ability to build strong partnerships with students and other university departments
Preferred
Thorough knowledge of, and demonstrated skill applying, standard theories, principles, practices, and techniques related to student access, opportunities, and success.
Expertise in conducting individual, community and/or environmental needs assessments and using results to guide strategic planning and programmatic decisions.
Ability to effectively build coalitions/committee groups to reach strategic goals, promoting a positive working environment, spirit of cooperation and positive relations.
Ability to interact effectively with a wide range of audiences including administrators, trustees, faculty, students, staff, alumni, and parents of current/prospective students.
Working Conditions / Demands
This role requires the ability to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. This position requires the ability to work on multiple priorities during a single day, prioritize many activities, communicate with a wide range of constituents, and write effectively and professionally. Mental concentration is intense and required. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.
This role has the potential for work hours outside of 8am - 5pm and on weekends.
Additional Information
The inaugural Director for the program will report to the Associate Vice Provost of Student Life for Involvement and Belonging.
Work Location
Bloomington, Indiana
This is an in-person position.
Advertised Salary
$80,000-$85,000 annually depending on candidate's education and experience.
Benefits Overview
For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:
Multiple plan options for medical insurance
Dental insurance
Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
Additional supplemental retirement plan options
Tuition benefit for IU classes
10 paid holidays per year
Generous Paid Time Off
Paid Parental Leave
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure.
Job Classification
Career Level: Sr. Operational
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Student Services
Job Family: Student Life Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.
Posting Disclaimer
This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.
If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University's Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.
Campus Safety and Security
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.
