Job Title:

Project Director of GEAR UP

Full or Part Time:

Full time

Hours:

40

Exempt:

Yes

Supervisory Org:

Academic Affairs (PM2)

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY: To plan, coordinate and implement programs and services for the SVSU GEAR UP cohort and carry out initiatives to increase retention and success in postsecondary education. The Director will manage project activities on a day-to-day basis, reporting to the Interim Associate Vice President.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement programs, interventions, and activities that support student retention and assist GEAR UP students in achieving college success.
• Interface with SVSU's existing programs and services to ensure that participants have knowledge and full access to student services provided by SVSU. 
• Assist targeted high-risk students: support academic, financial, social and emotional needs by providing necessary interventions and referring them to appropriate support services.
• Develop and implement Multicultural programs that support an inclusive environment for students.
• Maintain relationships with local GEAR UP high schools to access student information and obtain support when needed.
• Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the program and its services by monitoring program benchmarks to be determined by the State of Michigan.
• Maintain accurate project records (outreach efforts, event attendance, retention tracking, data analysis, etc.) for evaluation and accountability purposes. 
• Prepare accurate and timely grant-related reports as required 
• Represent the GEAR UP Program on academic and administrative committees as applicable
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

This position will report to the Interim Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Supervision is exercised over the Gear Up program staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• One year of related work experience
• Reliable transportation and ability to attend meetings and activities throughout the day, evenings, and occasional weekends.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new software quickly.
• Excellent written/oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience and ability to positively interact with a diverse campus community to provide work and learning opportunities to all, without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, or on any other basis protected by law.
• Capacity to work well independently
• Ability to maintain a flexible and varying work schedule to achieve Gear Up goals for high school students.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodations.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Duties are generally performed inside and not exposed to adverse conditions.

The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job.  It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision.  The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

About SVSU:

Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its roughly 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. For eight consecutive years, SVSU has been recognized as a “Great College to Work For” (2016-2023).

SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation.

SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students’ performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels.
 
More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housing that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2023). SVSU fields 19 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students. For more information, please visit our website, http://www.svsu.edu.