TRIO Assistant Director

Madison College • Madison, WI

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Madison College is seeking a collaborative and student-focused TRIO Assistant Director. This position plays a critical part in advancing educational access, persistence and retention, community and belonging, and credential completion for students in the TRIO program by leading comprehensive services that span recruitment, intake, academic advising, success coaching, programming, budgeting, and report submission. Working closely with staff and campus and community partners, this position ensures program excellence, regulatory compliance, and responsible stewardship of grant resources while using data-informed strategies to strengthen student engagement and long-term success, ensuring that the grant objectives and required services are being met. Grounded in Madison College’s mission and commitment to equity, this role fosters inclusive support systems that help students navigate barriers and achieve their academic and career goals. Madison College believes every team member brings unique perspectives and experiences that enhance our ability to understand and engage with the world, tackle challenges, and develop innovative solutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 2 - 4+ years of relevant, progressive, professional experience.
• Ability to travel 1-3 times per year for conferences at the State, Regional, and/or National level.
• Ability to effectively lead and supervise staff in a collaborative, team-based environment to achieve institutional objectives.
• Ability to make sound operational, management and financial decisions that support institutional goals, budget accountabilities and an effective work unit.
• Knowledge of student support programs, including financial access and college readiness initiatives and programs that support high school students, to provide effective advising, intake and retention services.
• Knowledge of TRIO legislation and grant regulations, services, and requirements, student recruitment, admissions, financial aid and enrollment management processes, as well as federal, state and institutional regulations that govern student services.
• Skill in managing student support programs, analyzing processes and making data-driven recommendations to improve retention, completion and transfer outcomes.
• Ability to develop and deliver presentations to internal and external audiences, including students and faculty.
• Ability to provide advising, coaching and academic planning support for students, with sensitivity to the diverse needs of community college students.
• Skill in engaging positively with all populations and communities, contributing to a safe and inclusive learning and work environment.
• Skill in effectively and respectfully communicating with others.

Nice To Haves

• Leadership and/or managerial experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads, supports and develops the TRIO team to ensure accountability of institutional objectives and operational excellence. This includes effective deployment of human resources practices such as inclusive hiring, performance management principles, development opportunities and employee support.
• Contributes and engages in budgetary, financial and procurement decisions that ensure fiduciary responsibility while meeting operational and institutional goals.
• Provides strategic oversight of recruitment, orientation, and intake processes for the TRIO program that expand financial literacy access and resources for students, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and regulations.
• Drives program effectiveness by implementing data-informed strategies that enhance student engagement, streamline enrollment, support long-term academic success, and promote the development of skills that prepare students to be informed, thoughtful, and productive individuals and citizens.
• Directs academic success coaching by leading staff in developing and coordinating workshops, events, and coaching sessions that enhance student engagement, persistence, and long-term success.
• Drives retention initiatives by overseeing the identification of student support needs, guiding the development of academic plans for students on academic or financial aid probation, and coordinating outreach efforts with faculty and staff to improve student retention and completion outcomes.
• Develops and maintains partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders to enhance student support services and program effectiveness.
• Manages program budgets by preparing cost estimates, monitoring expenditures and ensuring grant compliance while using data to assess program effectiveness and recommend improvements.
• Oversees the collection, analysis, and reporting of student retention and program participation data to inform decision-making, improve services, and for annual submission of performance reports to the U.S. Department of Education (DoE).
• Collaborates with faculty, deans, program directors, and campus leadership to align student intake processes and ensure seamless support services across the college district.
• Creates an inclusive, equitable and supportive environment where everyone at the institution feels valued, respected and empowered to reach their full potential.

Benefits

• Madison College offers an excellent benefits package including vacation, holidays, health/vision/dental/life insurance options and participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director