Director of Access and Persistence

Kutztown University invites applications for the position of Director of Access and Persistencea key leadership role within the Division of Student Affairs reporting directly to the Vice President of Student Affairs. This position provides strategic vision and leadership for university-wide initiatives that recruit retain and support underrepresented first-generation foster care and at-risk students ensuring equitable access meaningful belonging and persistence to graduation.

The Director plays a central role in advancing Kutztown Universitys mission and valuesAcademic Enrichment Accountability Community Engagement Diversity Empowerment and Integrityby coordinating a comprehensive continuum of student support from admission through graduation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Student Success

• Develop implement and assess comprehensive retention and persistence strategies for underrepresented first-generation foster care and at-risk student populations.
• Serve as a core member of the Universitys Student Success Team partnering closely with Academic Affairs Enrollment Management and Student Affairs units.
• Use data assessment and benchmarking to guide decision-making and measure outcomes related to retention GPA credit momentum and graduation.

Program Leadership PROFS (Providing Resources and Opportunities for Future Standouts)

• Provide leadership and oversight for PROFS Kutztown Universitys signature program supporting students with foster care experience.
• Supervise program staff and graduate assistants manage budgets and grant funding and ensure compliance with state and federal foster care regulations.
• Serve as the Universitys primary contact for the Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program and foster youth services.
• Cultivate partnerships with campus offices community agencies foundations and peer institutions to strengthen services and student outcomes.

First-Generation & At-Risk Student Initiatives

• Lead campus-wide efforts supporting first-generation and at-risk students including onboarding programs mentoring initiatives academic success workshops and financial literacy programming.
• Collaborate with faculty advisors residence life counseling and care teams to provide coordinated proactive interventions.
• Design and assess high-impact programs that promote resilience belonging and long-term success.

Student Advocacy Training & Partnerships

• Provide training and resources for faculty staff and student leaders on supporting underrepresented student populations.
• Advocate for institutional policies and practices that close equity gaps and strengthen student success.
• Represent the University at state regional and national conferences and with community partners.

Assessment Compliance & Reporting

• Track program participation and outcomes; prepare reports for divisional and university leadership.
• Ensure compliance with FERPA Title IX Clery and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Identify and pursue external funding and grant opportunities to enhance programming and sustainability.

• Bachelors degree.
• Progressive professional experience in student success student support services mentoring case management advising diversity/inclusion TRIO-style programs or related areas.
• Demonstrated success in program leadership and staff supervision
• Strong interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills with the ability to build trust and rapport with different student populations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multiple stakeholders (e.g. faculty staff community partners agencies) to coordinate services and support.
• Basic proficiency with student information systems early alert tools or case management platforms (e.g. Starfish Maxient Navigate) or a willingness to learn.

• Masters degree in Higher Education/Student Affairs Counseling Social Work or related field.
• Experience in supporting underrepresented first-generation and/or foster care students.
• Knowledge of state/federal foster care regulations and student success compliance tools.
• Experience with grant writing donor relations and fundraising.
• Experience with budget management.
• Lived experience as a first-generation college graduate and/or foster care alum.
• Experience with strategic planning and retention initiatives at the university level.

Applications & resumes will be accepted until the position is filled however; to ensure full consideration application materials should be received no later than the end of day on March 3 2026.

The starting salary for this position is $60753.00 based on the SCUPA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

All applications for this position must be submitted via our online application/resume system ONLY. Please do not fax mail or e-mail any documentation.

Successful interviews reference checks background clearances (PA Criminal Child Abuse Clearance & FBI Clearance) and demonstration of ability are requisite qualifications for all positions.

The University is very interested in hiring employees who have had extensive experience with diverse populations.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Kutztown University does not discriminate in employment or educational opportunities on the basis of sex race ethnicity national origin age disability religion sexual orientation gender identity or veteran status. To discuss a complaint of discrimination please contact the Office of Social Equity Old Main A-Wing Room 02 by phone at or by e-mail at Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 Kutztown University does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates including admissions and employment. Any inquiries regarding the application of Title IX at Kutztown University may be made to Bradley Davis the Universitys Title IX Coordinator located in Old Main A-Wing Room 02A by phone at or by email at or the Office for Civil Rights located in the Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Bldg. 400 Maryland Avenue SW Washington DC 20202-1100 by phone at (TDD: ) by fax at or by e-mail at Kutztown Universitys Sexual Misconduct Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment policies can be found in The Key student handbook or online at of availability of the Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report

The Annual Security Report and the Annual Fire Safety Report containing policy statements crime and fire statistics for Kutztown University isavailable online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing the KU Clery Compliance Coordinator at .