Overview of Assistant Director of Upward Bound

The Assistant Director of Upward Bound supports the Director in managing all aspects of the federally funded TRIO Upward Bound program, ensuring compliance with U.S. Department of Education regulations and alignment with project objectives. This position provides supervision, leadership, and strategic direction in student services, staff management, academic programming, and performance outcomes to advance the mission of preparing first-generation and income-eligible high school students for success in postsecondary education. The Upward Bound Program is a federally funded program which serves 130 participants and is currently funded through May 31, 2027. Continued funding is contingent upon a competitive application process. 

Duties and Responsibilities of Assistant Director of Upward Bound

• Implement and monitor Upward Bound activities in alignment with 34 CFR 645 guidelines for Academic and Summer Academy. 
• Assist the Director in coordinating the Summer Academy calendar ensuring implementation of all related activities. 
• Provide academic, personal, and career advising for assigned caseload. 
• Track student progress and implement academic interventions. 
• Assist students in completing college and scholarship applications. 
• Establish partnerships with Liberal Arts departments and community agencies. 
• Assist with recruitment in target schools. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with principals, counselors, and parents. 
• Supervise regular tutors, instructors, and advisors. 
• Assist with coordination of professional development for instructional staff, tutors and advisors. 
• Assist with contact input and other duties as assigned. 
• Efficient use of PNW programs, which include but not limited to, Unitime, Microsoft, Qualtrics, DocuSign, File locker, Blumen, Zoom. 
• Monitor and evaluate the success of programs and adjust accordingly. 
• Monitor progress toward UB performance objectives. 
• Assist with the Annual Performance Report (APR) and internal audits. 
• Represent Upward Bound at TRIO, institutional, and community events. 
• Participate in professional development and conferences to strengthen program quality. 

Benefits of Assistant Director of Upward Bound

• Full benefits – Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Retirement, Life Insurance and more
• Accrue 15 days’ vacation your first year, then 22 days’ vacation your 2nd year plus rollover
• University contribution of 10% to retirement (3 year waiting period)
• University contributions to Health Savings Account –
  • Plus a chance to earn more through participating in University Wellness Initiatives
• 10 paid holidays
• Employee Wellness Programs
• Paid Parental Leave after one year of service
• Tuition remission for you, your spouse and dependent children at any Purdue campus
  
  
• For more information on our excellent benefit package, please visit: https://www.pnw.edu/human-resources/benefits/
  

Education of Assistant Director of Upward Bound

• Master’s degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work, Student Affairs, or related field

Experience of Assistant Director of Upward Bound

• 3 years of experience working with TRIO, K-12, higher education, counseling or similar college access programs 
• Demonstrated leadership, supervision, and program management experience.  
• Knowledge of academic advising, financial aid, and postsecondary transition processes.  
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and travel for program activities.
   

Preferred Qualifications  

Core Competencies of Assistant Director of Upward Bound

• Demonstrated experience with designing challenging academic curriculum, assessing student needs and supervising others.
• Demonstrated experience with assessment and evaluation.
• Ability to comply with university, financial, and programmatic policies and procedures.
• Ability to work independently, display strong decision-making, excellent organization skills, and ability to multi-task and prioritize requests.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders from community (students, parents, principals) to university administration.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and ability to work with a diverse group of people.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, Outlook, and video conferencing software. 

Additional Information

Professional references will be verified prior to any offer of employment. Employment is contingent upon completion of successful background check along with a motor vehicle records check if applicable.

Purdue University Northwest is an equal opportunity/equal access university.

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is a student-centered university that transforms lives through innovative education, impactful research and community engagement. Located in Northwest Indiana in the greater Chicago area and near the Indiana Dunes National Park, PNW serves approximately 9,000 students, including 6,000 core students, in a wide range of academic programs at the baccalaureate, master’s and applied doctoral levels.

Purdue Northwest employs more than 1,000 faculty and staff members for operations at its main campus in Hammond, Ind., and its branch campus in Westville, Ind., plus additional sites in Northwest Indiana including the Gabis Arboretum near Valparaiso, Ind. PNW’s values reflect the university’s commitment to respect, innovation, a student-centric university, and excellence.

PNW is consistently ranked among the best public regional universities in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Colleges report and is recognized as a First Scholars institution as well as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University. With its vision to cultivate leaders, inspire excellence, and impact our world, PNW advances the socioeconomic mobility of its students and positively impacts regional development.

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