JOB TITLE
Assistant Director for Student Success
LOCATION
Worcester
DEPARTMENT NAME
Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education
DIVISION NAME
Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
The Assistant Director for Student Success is responsible for advancing WPI’s commitment to inclusion and belonging, with a focus on removing barriers to educational access and achievement. This role develops, implements, and assesses initiatives that support student recruitment, retention, and success.
This position leads ODIME’s signature initiatives, including the Connections Pre-Orientation Program and First-Generation Success Program. In addition, the Assistant Director contributes to broader departmental and campus-wide initiatives that foster mentorship, academic achievement, identity development, and community building. The position requires close collaboration with campus partners, student organizations, and institutional stakeholders.
The Assistant Director is a staff member of ODIME, and reports to the Director of Multicultural Engagement and Student Success.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Key Responsibilities:
1. Program Leadership and Administration
Lead the planning, coordination, execution, and assessment of the Connections Pre-Orientation Program, including Program Ambassador training, the week-long summer experience, and academic enrichment components.Provide ongoing support throughout the academic year for students who complete the Pre-Orientation Program through regular check-ins, programming, resource navigation, and other engagement initiatives.Supervise Program Ambassadors in designing and executing academic year initiatives for Connections students.Oversee the First-Generation Success Program, collaborating with campus partners to support WPI’s growing first-generation student population.Support the planning and implementation of additional ODIME programs and initiatives.
2. Student Success, Retention, and Belonging
Develop, implement, and evaluate programs that promote academic success and personal growth for undergraduate and graduate students.Assist with campus-wide educational experiences that address the needs of students from diverse backgrounds in STEM, including lectures, workshops, and professional development seminars.Coordinate events and services that celebrate heritage months, religious traditions, identity-based awareness days, and other commemorative observances.
3. Training and Educational Development
Create and facilitate workshops and learning experiences for students, faculty, and staff on topics related to inclusion and belonging.Facilitate annual training modules for student employees, student-athletes, and other student leaders to ensure foundational education in inclusion and respectful engagement.Collaborate with departments and student organizations to co-create educational initiatives aligned with institutional priorities and current issues.Curate and promote resources, tools, platforms, training opportunities, conferences, and workshops that foster inclusive awareness and intercultural engagement.
4. Student Advocacy
Serve as staff liaison and advisor to student affinity organizations such as NSBE, SHPE, BSU, SASE, CHA, SACNAS, and others.Collaborate with campus partners including Undergraduate Admissions, SGA, Undergraduate and Graduate Studies, ISSO, and the Office of Lifetime Engagement to develop innovative programs and services that address barriers to educational access.Advocate for student needs and contribute to institutional efforts that promote access, inclusion, and belonging across campus.
5. Performs all other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor.
Compensation: $55,400– $62,000
Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.
FLSA STATUS
United States of America (Exempt)
WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.