Director of Access and Persistence
Salary: $60,753.00 Annually
Location: Kutztown, PA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: E2026-0013
Division: Student Affairs
Department: Student Affairs
Closing Date: 3/3/2026
Bargaining Unit: SCUPA
Classification: SUA3
Job Summary
Kutztown University invites applications for the position of Director of Access and Persistence, a 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 University’s mission and values-Academic Enrichment, Accountability, Community Engagement, Diversity, Empowerment, and Integrity-by 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 University’s 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 University’s 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 University’s 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.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s 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.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s 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.
Supplemental Information
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 $60,753.00, 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 610-683-4700 or by e-mail at pena@kutztown.edu. 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 University’s Title IX Coordinator, located in Old Main A-Wing, Room 02A, by phone at 610-683-4782 or by email at titleix@kutztown.edu, 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 800-421-3481 (TDD: 800-877-8339), by fax at 202-453-6012, or by e-mail at OCR@ed.gov. Kutztown University’s Sexual Misconduct, Anti-Discrimination, and Anti-Harassment policies can be found in The Key student handbook or online at https://www.kutztown.edu/about-ku/administrative-offices/social-equity.html.
Notice 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 clery@kutztown.edu.
To apply, please visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/kutztownedu/jobs/5229539/director-of-access-and-persistence
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