Director, NEIU-El Centro

Northeastern offers a rewarding working environment for our students and employees. Our faculty and staff are smart, dedicated people who work to create an excellent urban university experience for bright and motivated students.

Job Summary:

Job Description:

OPERATIONS

• Oversee the overall operation of the NEIU-El Centro campus.

• Work collaboratively with chairs, deans, and relevant university administrators to determine full degree and exclusive program offerings at El Centro.

• Work collaboratively with all NEIU campuses to optimize the use of resources and to make the center more visible in NEIU's operations and culture.

• Develop strong relationships with community and professional organizations.

• Carry out administrative functions including but not limited to budget management and facilitate efficient operations of El Centro.

• Desire and skill to lead in the advancement of the curriculum, culture, and mission of El Centro.

• Grant writing to procure funding for curricular and community-centered programming.

• Demonstrated ability in marketing, social media and various approaches necessary to promote and advertise El Centro.

RECRUITMENT & RETENTION

• Work closely with the Office of Enrollment Services to ensure successful recruitment efforts by bringing traditional and non-traditional students to the programs offered at the El Centro and other NEIU locations.

• Participate in the University's ongoing student success initiatives and plans that positively impact retention and graduation.

• Foster a culture of academic excellence and promote individual student success.

• Develop and implement strategic initiatives to recruit and retain Latino and other underserved populations, to ensure equitable access to higher education.

• Collaborate with admissions, financial aid, and academic departments to amplify pathways that support first-generation, low-income, and students carrying various immigration status.

• Work with high schools, community colleges, and community-based organizations to increase awareness of university programs and opportunities for Latino students.

• Lead outreach programs, including college readiness workshops, family engagement initiatives, and culturally responsive recruitment events.

• Advocate for and support students through financial aid navigation, scholarship opportunities, and emergency funding resources.

• Utilize data-driven strategies to monitor retention and graduation rates, identifying key areas for intervention and support.

• Develop and promote culturally affirming academic success programs, including tutoring, career development, and leadership training.

• Develop and provide meaningful staff development opportunities for El Centro employees to enhance recruitment, retention and graduation.

CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

• Actively develop a thorough knowledge of Chicago, utilizing available resources to develop community/citywide partnerships and political capital to enhance the academic profile of El Centro and the lives of its constituents.

• Establish and maintain strong, reciprocal relationships with Latino-serving organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and civic leaders in surrounding communities.

• Represent the university at Chicagoland conferences, civic meetings, and community events to enhance visibility and strengthen partnerships.

• Demonstrated ability in the design and development of co-curricular programming.

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND ACTIVITIES

• Engage with program coordinators, department chairs, deans and community partners on programming that meet the needs of a 21st century workforce, while maintaining the El Centro emphasis on the scholar/activist tradition.

• Is a member of and engages with the Provost's Council on university-wide initiatives that promote student success and satisfaction.

• Collaboratively develop the use of social media technology as a means of encouraging communication and institutional promotion to internal and external stakeholders.

• Work with academic advisors and support services to identify and address educational challenges Latino and first-generation students face.

• Collaborate with institutional research teams to assess student academic performance, retention, and graduation rates, using data to inform policy and program development.

MISCELLANEOUS

• Serve as a member of university, college, and department committees and/or councils as appropriate.

Minimal Qualifications:

• Earned Doctorate or a terminal degree from an accredited college or university in a field represented at NEIU (Education, Arts, Sciences, Humanities, Business, Technology, and related fields).

• Three to five years of experience with the recruitment, retention, and graduation of underserved student populations in a post-secondary setting, with proven success in administration.

• Proven ability to develop, and implement robust programming relevant to instruction and community outreach.

• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with community organizations, businesses, and other external stakeholders.

• Experience working with Latino communities, organizations, or advocacy groups in an educational setting.

• Deep understanding of the barriers Latinx students face in higher education and proven experience implementing strategies to address them.

• Successful track record of leadership in program development, strategic planning, and student retention initiatives.

• Proven ability to collaborate successfully with a set of diverse stakeholders and ability to prioritize needs in support of an overarching strategy.

• Cultural knowledge and experience in working with Spanish-speaking and bilingual populations.

• Strong leadership and team-building skills, with experience supervising staff and volunteers.

• Experience in operational responsibility and budget management.

• Experience with staff evaluation.

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish.

Other Competencies:

• Knowledge of and passion for addressing intersectional race and culture-based issues and issues that disproportionately affect marginalized students, faculty, and staff.

• Deep appreciation for and understanding of Latino cultures, histories, and experiences, with a commitment to continuous learning.

• Experience creating and running programs that support Latinx student success, including culturally relevant academic and career support initiatives.

• Ability to foster trust and meaningful partnerships with students, families, and community organizations.

• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with community organizations, businesses, and other external stakeholders.

• Significant leadership and management experience.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate across diverse audiences, including students, staff, faculty, administrators, and community partners.

• Experience designing and evaluating impactful student support and engagement programs.

• Ability to navigate institutional challenges and drive positive change in a dynamic educational environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Community and civic minded: ability to work with and establish support of political agents, policymakers, and community activists to promote the wellbeing of the educational institution and relevant programming.

• Demonstrated ability to engage and facilitate in the recruitment of traditional and non-traditional students, including working with area high schools.

• Demonstrated interest in seeking and managing externally-funded grants.

• Experience with university staff hiring procedures.

• Experience working with faculty, chairs and deans.

• Understanding of and willingness to work in a collective bargaining environment.

Office Hours:Schedule requires 37.5 hours per week, in person.

Salary Range: $100,000 - $150,000

This position requires a background check.

Benefits

University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). Please visit ourEmployee Benefitspage to learn more about our comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.

Transcripts

Copies of unofficial transcripts are accepted; however, official transcripts for all earned degrees will be required of candidates selected for final interviews.

Northeastern Illinois University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and invites applications from Women, Minorities, Veterans and Persons with Disabilities, as well as other qualified individuals.Northeastern Illinois University's positions are contingent upon the University's receipt of its State of Illinois appropriation.