Academic Program Director Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

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Position Title:
Director of TRIO Student Support Services
Job Category:
Limited
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Academic Program Director (B)
Job Duties:
The Director provides administrative leadership and oversight for three federally funded TRIO projects through the U.S. Department of Education: Student Support Services (SSS) Regular, Disabled, and STEM. This role ensures compliance with federal grant regulations while advancing the university's mission through the delivery of student-centered support services for eligible participants. These services include individual advising, financial literacy and planning support, academic tutoring, peer coaching, personal and leadership development, and instruction through courses focused on strategies for academic success and successful career development. The Director supervises program staff, oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of services, manages program budgets, ensures ongoing regulatory compliance, and leads all required reporting efforts. This position reports to the Executive Director of Student Opportunity & Excellence.
Key Job Responsibilities:
Administrative Leadership & Management

• Administer the TRIO SSS Regular, Disabled and STEM projects in alignment with federal regulations and grant requirements.
• Provide strategic leadership and management of SSS programs including staff supervision (up to 10 staff), implementation and evaluation of project objectives, and oversight of services.
• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff, establish work priorities, conduct performance reviews, and provide guidance and corrective action as needed.
• Develop and monitor the SSS grant budgets, approve expenditures, and ensure the responsible use and allocation of federal funds.
• Review, revise, and implement SSS procedures related to recruitment, programs and services, administrative procedures, budgeting, and evaluation.
• Ensure program goals, activities, and services comply with federal guidelines and align with university objectives through regular assessments and review of project progress.
• Monitor and ensure ongoing compliance with U.S. Department of Education requirements, project objectives, and university policies and procedures.
• Oversee the allocation of resources to support program activities and services.
• Provide oversight for student intake process and office operations.
• Identify workflow needs, contribute to the development of strategic and operational solutions, allocate resources, and implement new or revise unit operational practices and procedures.
• Provide oversight of curriculum development and delivery for the Strategies for Academic Success (2 credits) and Strategies for Successful Career Development (1 credit) courses.
• Provide oversight for Early Bridge early experience program.
• Serve as principal liaison between the SSS projects, university leadership, and federal grant.
• Serve as an advisor to a caseload of up to 10 students, and implement services designed to support student success, retention, and graduation.

Evaluation & Grant Reporting

• Evaluate the effectiveness of program services and make data-informed decisions to enhance program services and delivery.
• Plan, implement, assess and refine strategies and objectives, and provide recommendations to unit leadership for continuous program improvement.
• Evaluate project performance and address programmatic or student-related issues in a manner consistent with achieving project goals and objectives, and the university's mission.
• Lead data collection, preparation, and submission of Annual Performance Report and required interim or quarterly reports to the U.S. Department of Education, ensuring accuracy, completeness and alignment with federal guidelines.
• Assist with the collection and organization of program data and supporting materials related to required federal grant reporting and continuation activities.

Other Responsibilities

• Remain current on best practices, relevant legislation, regulations, required and permissible program services, and allowable costs related to the TRIO projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Formulates program strategies and goals, directs long-term planning, develops policies and procedures, and establishes and maintains new and emerging program materials

Department:
UW-Stout's TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program provides supplemental academic support and services for its 550 student participants. The department strives to increase the retention and graduation rates of first-generation students, students who meet federal low-income criteria, and students with disabilities. The department is funded by three federal TRIO grants: SSS Regular, SSS Disability, and SSS STEM.
Compensation:
Minimum starting salary of $80,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
A six-month probationary period is required
The University of Wisconsin-Stout does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. A successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment and for maintaining work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact our Human Resources office, Phone: 715.232.2149.
Required Qualifications:

• Minimum master's degree required in education, educational leadership, counseling, public administration, student affairs or related field from an accredited college/university
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in the following areas:
  • Staff supervision, budget management, program development and evaluation, reporting, and compliance with federal regulations
  • Experience with federal TRIO programs, academic support programs, or similar programs for underserved college students
  • Advising and assisting SSS eligible students with post-secondary course selection, academic advising, financial aid information and processes, economic literacy, career development/obtainment, graduate school admissions
• Formal training and/or work experience in the following areas:
  • Designing, managing and implementing a program that promotes the annual retention, persistence, academic standing, and graduation rates of SSS eligible students
  • Providing effective student counseling or advising specifically in the areas of guiding students' academic and non-academic goal setting and skill acquisition
• Professional or personal experience in overcoming barriers similar to those confronting SSS project participants
• Demonstrated ability to administer and manage educational opportunity related programs
• Knowledge of academic advising, career, financial aid and literacy activities and related services for SSS eligible students
• Knowledge of disability barriers, accommodations, ADA

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience preferred in the following areas:
  • Staff supervision, budget management, program development and evaluation, reporting and compliance with federal regulations
  • Experience with Federal TRIO programs, academic support programs, or similar programs for underserved college students
• Demonstrated ability to manage conflict, resolve challenging situations, and provide timely solutions.
• Experience with student record databases/systems and engagement platforms (e.g., Canvas, Peoplesoft, Blumen, EAB Navigate, Stellic, Microsoft Office Suite)

How to Apply:
Complete applications received by end of day, June 28, 2026 are ensured full consideration. Applications submitted after this may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee or until position is filled.
To apply, click on the APPLY button or go to: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/careers-jobs
Due to system limitations, applicants may upload no more than five (5) attachments. Please combine documents where appropriate.
Required application materials:
Cover letter (* See below)
Curriculum vitae or resume
Names and contact information for a minimum of three (3) professional references who can speak to your skills and abilities for the position
All final candidates will be asked to provide names, email contact information, and/or phone numbers for three (3) references, with at least one being from a manager or supervisor, during the interview process.
*Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications for this position as listed above. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.
Official transcripts required at time of hire.
Contact Information:
For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:
Search Chair: Britta Miller
Email: millerbri@uwstout.edu
If you need assistance with the online application process or if you submitted your application prior to uploading all the required application materials, please contact:
Search Coordinator: Julie Zack
Email: zackj@uwstout.edu
Guidelines to ensure consideration:

• Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required application materials.

• Within your cover letter address each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications specified for this position. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.

It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual's disability.
The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees.

• Employee Benefits: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/

• To calculate the estimated value of your total compensation, use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator | Employee Benefits (wisconsin.edu)

Employment is contingent upon the final candidate's completing a criminal background check and being cleared to work by the Human Resources Office. Employment is also contingent upon the final candidate passing reference checks and an essential job function test, as applicable. The reference check process includes asking the final candidates' professional references questions regarding employee misconduct, sexual violence, and sexual harassment. Reference checks must be conducted at a minimum with three professional references, at least one of which must be a prior supervisor.
Final candidates with previous employment within the Universities of Wisconsin and State of WI agencies will be subject to additional reference checks.
In response to a public records request, the Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in their online application, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
UW-Stout is committed to providing safety and security of all members of our community in accordance with the Clery Act. For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/life-stout/police-and-parking/clery-information
UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.