Director, Hoos First First Generation and Limited Income Initiatives

The Division of Student Affairs at UVA seeks applicants for an experienced and visionary practitioner to fill a new role as Director of the Hoos First program.
The Hoos First program aims to empower, support and advocate for First-Generation and/or Limited Income (FGLI) students at UVA in an inclusive environment where their shared experiences are welcomed and affirmed. The program will serve as a gateway for the network of services and resources necessary to expand and strengthen access to academic support, financial aid, career opportunities, and social engagement for the FGLI student community.
Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, the Director of Hoos First is a new role responsible for addressing the diverse needs of First-Generation and/or Limited Income students by providing programs, initiatives, and resources strategically focused on supporting the academic, financial, personal, career, and social transition challenges for approximately 2,000 UVA students. In collaboration with campus partners, the director will strive to expand access to academic support and financial resources, foster community engagement, sense of belonging, strengthen well-being, and develop relationships with existing campus programs focused on FGLI students.

The inaugural director should demonstrate a long-range vision for the Hoos First program by ensuring activities and initiatives are aligned with the university’s 2030 Strategic Plan . Consequently, the director shall serve as a champion for FGLI students and families as it relates to outreach and advocacy with a keen focus on creating an eco-system of wrap around services and resources that will enable individuals to thrive academically, socially, and professionally. 

Additional responsibilities include:

• Recruit and hire two professional staff members
• Provide leadership in planning and assessment of high impact programs and services
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with key campus stakeholders including the Provost’s Office, Admissions, Student Financial Services, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Career Center, Georges Student Center and faculty and advisors in schools and units
• Collaborate with University Advancement to strengthen private support for FGLI scholarships and programs
• Work closely with staff in Student Financial Services to centralize support and financial guidance for FGLI students
• Assists students facing heightened personal challenges
• Create and implement a peer mentoring program
• Lead the design and implementation of personal and academic support programs for FGLI students
• Coordinate the tracking of FGLI students’ academic progress each semester enabling program staff to identify risks and help students access campus resources as appropriate
• Organize, implement, and oversee co-curricular programming – financial seminars, professional and leadership development training, cultural enrichment, etc.
• Serve as a liaison to FGLI student organizations
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must have the following required knowledge areas, skills, and abilities:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in student affairs, counseling, higher education, or other discipline, or a terminal degree in a relevant field
• Minimum of six years of progressive relevant experience
• Strong commitment to the division’s core values of academic rigor, honor, student self-governance, public service, diversity and multiculturalism, and health and wellness
• Ability to lead and manage a cross-functional and collaborative team
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Experience working with underserved groups such as first generation, limited income, transfer and/or non-traditional students from underrepresented communities
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and belonging
• Experience in programming, advising, and/or financial aid.

A competitive applicant for the Director position will have many of the following preferred knowledge areas, skills, and abilities:

• Deep knowledge of the diverse needs of First-Generation and/or Limited Income students
• Able to interface with academic deans, senior level administrators, and donors
• An understanding of cognitive and psychological models related to support and development of college students
• Strong knowledge of student affairs practices as applied to a diverse range of programmatic areas
• Experience with community and stakeholder engagement
• Experience with assessment and data-driven decision-making
• Understanding of financial stewardship and budget management
• Domain knowledge specific to the Student Affairs program or department in which the Director will work.

The salary range for is $74,000.00 – $86,000.00 commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Director of Hoos First is full-time, twelve-month University Managerial and Professional Staff position with full benefits . Employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check.

Located in central Virginia, the University of Virginia is a highly selective public research institution with a major commitment to undergraduate education. The student experience is grounded in the institutional core values of academic rigor, diversity and inclusion, health and wellness, honor, public service, and student self-governance. For more information about the University of Virginia and the Office of the Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer visit: http://www.virginia.edu

 

To Apply:

Review of applications will begin October 25, 2022. Please apply through Workday, and search for R0041058. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching ‘Find Jobs.’ Complete an application online with the following documents:

• Resume

• Cover letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration. 

References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process SkillSurvey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process. A minimum of three references is required. For questions about the application process, please contact Michele Jarman .

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines  webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements and guidelines for employment at UVA.

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person’s perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.