Associate Director Jobs in La Crosse, WI (NOW HIRING)

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Job Description

The Associate Director of Scholarship manages the university's Foundation Scholarship Program to ensure effective scholarship program administration. Responsibilities include participating in the development of scholarships (including working with the fundraising staff on criteria, writing of drafts, ensuring award-ability and input into the software), managing the scholarship software, developing communications, supporting students through the application and awarding process, and providing guidance to application reviewers. The position builds and maintains collaborative relationships across the division, with campus partners such as Financial Aid and Admissions, and with external stakeholders advance the university's scholarship strategy.

Responsibilities:

1. Scholarship System. Serve as the university expert for the award management software and direct the university's utilization of the tool.

• Make sure all new scholarship agreements are executed and uploaded.
• Guide stakeholders on how to utilize the software to administer scholarship dollars.
• Ensure scholarship system data accurately reflects awarding parameters agreed upon with benefactors.
• Utilize the system to advertise and process recruitment and other university scholarships.
• Provide training and guidance to support application reviews and award offers.
• Serve as the liaison with WSU IT and the scholarship software vendor to troubleshoot and integrate enhancement in the system.
  

2. Scholarship Strategy. Manage the scholarship program to maximize utilization of student scholarship funds.

• Collaborate with Advancement team members and benefactors to develop and implement scholarships that meaningfully represent the benefactors' philanthropic goals and adhere to applicable policies, procedures and laws.
• Promote the scholarship program to students, parents, and other stakeholders, including Admissions, Financial Aid, Equity and Inclusive Excellence, and academic departments.
• Ensure scholarship application evaluators are identified, trained, and complete application reviews.
• Collaborate with other departments to gather and share sensitive information necessary to verify student eligibility.
• Support the WSU Foundation Scholarship Committee by supporting committee operations, including agenda development, meeting scheduling, minute preparation, and follow-up on action items.
• Creation of the scholarship documents with input from the fundraising staff.
• Maintaining the hard copies of the executed scholarship documents.
• Assist with the annual allocation from each scholarship with the Foundation Controller, Executive Director and the VP of University Advancement.

3. Stewardship and Donor Engagement. Develop and maintain relationships to support scholarship award sustainability and growth.

• Provide guidance to prospective donors acting as a gatekeeper for WSU fundraising team.
• Ensure scholarship benefactors receive individualized recognition and expressions of gratitude from the university. Example would be the student thank you initiative.
• Foster meaningful connections between scholarship recipients and benefactors through letters, events, classroom speaking opportunities, and other engagement activities including an annual scholarship event.
• Represent the division at key events that promote donor engagement.
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4. Scholarship Budget. Maintain budget and data needs related to the scholarship plan.

• Communicate with the Foundation Controller to ensure adequate funding is available prior to posting available scholarships.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to contact benefactors to solicit additional contributions or obtain guidance regarding awarding preferences in cases of insufficient funding.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Controller and VP of Advancement to use data-informed decision-making in the awarding and disbursement of scholarships.
• Collaborate with the Controller to monitor expenditures and maintain monthly records of endowment and account balances to ensure responsible stewardship of dollars.

5. Emergency Grant Program. Collaborate with the university emergency grant program administrator. Be the liaison between the university emergency grant administrator and the WSU Foundation.

6. Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and maintain the reputation of Winona State University. Including but not limited to participating in university committees and pursuing ongoing professional development to maintain current knowledge in the field.

Salary Range: $47,845-$93,809; Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Two (2) years of professional experience in customer relations, marketing, fundraising, student development or enrollment services.
• Strong oral, written interpersonal and electronic communication skills sufficient to prepare messages and materials for diverse audiences and clearly explain, discuss, and present.
• Technical skills to efficiently process electronic workflows, maintain data, and generate reports.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
  

Preferred Qualification

• Experience using Award Management or related student aid software.
• Experience developing scholarship strategies that convey the university's mission.
• Experience in higher education or non-profit organization.
• Experience with databases and records management, spreadsheets and benchmarking techniques.
• Successful experience in developing, documenting, and presenting cultivation and solicitation strategies/proposals.
  

Other Requirements

1. Thesuccessfulcandidatemustbeabletolawfullyaccept employmentintheUnitedStatesby the day employment begins. The University regrets that we are unable to offer H1-B sponsorship at this time

2. A complete online application will include the following:

• A cover letter that addresses the qualifications listed previously
• Current Curriculum Vitae / Resume
• Transcripts (undergraduate and graduate)
• A list of professional references with contact information
  

Posting Information:

Application Deadline: Review begins September 16, 2026

Appointment Date: As Soon As Possible

Primary Location: Winona, MN

Type of Appointment: Probationary

Telework (Yes/No) No

About Winona State University

Founded in 1858, Winona State University is a regional public university and the oldest member of the Minnesota State system. Offering more than 200 majors and programs, Winona State has the #1 Student Success Rate in the Minnesota State System with 96.97 percent of WSU graduates being hired in a field related to their degree. U.S. News recognized Winona State as having top-ranking undergraduate programs in nursing, engineering, psychology, business, and computer science. With campuses in both Winona and Rochester, Winona State offers the best of both worlds. Widely known for its stunning natural setting, the Winona campus is nestled between picturesque bluffs and the Mississippi River - meaning rock climbing, paddle-boarding, hiking, and kayaking are within a mile of campus. WSU's Rochester campus is located in Minnesota's third largest city - a dynamic hub for industry, arts, and culture, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. Winona State University's mission is to enhance the intellectual, social, cultural and economic vitality of the people and communities we serve: a community of learners improving our world. For more information, visit winona.edu.

Employment for this position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement for Minnesota State University Association of Administrative & Service Faculty (ASF) which can be found at https://www.minnstate.edu/system/working/relations.html

Notice: In accordance with Minnesota State policy, employees driving on university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to Minnesota State's vehicle use criteria and consent to a motor vehicle records check. The Winona State University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available for your review. This report is required by federal law and contains policy statements and crime statistics for the University. The policy statements address the school's policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security. Three years' worth of statistics are included for certain types of crimes that were reported to have occurred on-campus, or in other University affiliated locations. This report is available online at https://www.winona.edu/about/safety-security/. You may also request a paper copy from University Security by emailing security@winona.edu.

Winona State University is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. A community of learners improving our world!

Benefits Information:

At Minnesota State, we take your well-being and work-life balance seriously. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that features low-cost medical and dental insurance with affordable deductibles, employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and pre-tax healthcare and dependent care accounts with a roll-over option. To further support your holistic health, employees also have access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, legal, and financial counseling. Detailed plan details, rates, and coverage choices can be reviewed directly via the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) website.

To support your life outside of work, our package includes 12 paid holidays, generous vacation and sick time, and six weeks of Paid Parental Leave. We also help you secure your financial future with a robust Pension Plan, 457(b) and 403(b) retirement accounts, and various investment options. Furthermore, we invest in your growth by providing dedicated professional development and tuition waivers for both you and your dependents. Please note that specific benefit eligibility and coverage levels may vary depending on the type of position, employee classification, and collective bargaining agreements.

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