Director, Academic Discovery Program

Position Details

Position Overview

Position Title Director, Academic Discovery Program

Department 299020 - Academic Discovery Program

Position Type Regular

Position Classification Full-Time, 12 months

Grant/Gift Funded (all or a portion)? Yes

If Temporary or Grant Funded, Start Date and End Date Ongoing (state ACT 101 grant)

Position Description/Posting Details

Posting Number S1490P

Position Summary The Director, Academic Discovery Program provides strategic leadership for the Academic Discovery Program (ADP), La Salle’s ACT 101 program. This role is responsible for developing long-term strategies to enhance student engagement, persistence, and graduation rates while ensuring compliance with state ACT 101 guidelines and requirements. This individual assesses program effectiveness, adapts programming and support initiatives to meet evolving student needs, and ensures alignment with the University mission. In addition, the Director provides leadership for a team of staff members, oversees all operations (including a summer bridge program), and collaborates with a variety of campus stakeholders to support the onboarding and ongoing success of students in the program.

Essential Duties

• Develop and oversee long-term strategic plans for ACT 101 eligible students, ensuring alignment with institutional goals for equity, access, and persistence.
• Identify and implement best practices in student retention and support services to drive ADP student outcomes.
• Work closely with Enrollment Management to support the identification and recruitment of eligible students; plan and implement recruitment sessions and document decision-making regarding eligibility.
• Manage state and institutional budgets for ADP, including oversight of the Act 101 grant.
• Prepare annual grant reports and ensure compliance with all state and federal requirements.
• Directly oversee the ADP staff and conduct regular team meetings, ensuring professional development and high-impact programming.
• Foster an environment of collaboration, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making.
• Work closely with institutional research and academic affairs to collect and analyze student retention, persistence, and academic performance data to assess program effectiveness.
• Develop and administer program evaluations for ADP Summer Bridge and year-round programming.
• Develop and implement student tracking systems and processes to monitor early alerts, interventions, and success outcomes, and to ensure ACT 101 program compliance.
• With the support of the Assistant Director, complete a bi-annual audit of ADP student files to ensure all required documents are complete and accessible.
• Manage the daily operations of the department and summer bridge planning, including meeting with students as needed.
• Maintain project plans and timelines for all ADP programs, events, and operations.
• Represent ADP at university-wide committees and task forces.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with enrollment, faculty, advisors, student development and campus life, financial aid, and other key departments to enhance support for ADP students.
• Represent the Academic Discovery Program at community outreach events, at university open houses, and with external stakeholders.
• Identify faculty and staff in support of ADP programs and initiatives, including the ADP advisory board and summer bridge.
• Determine ADP student caseload assignments and alignment with overall processes in Student Success to support student retention and persistence.
• Collaborate with campus partners to support ADP student success (Counseling Center, Office of Student Advocacy and Support, Career Center, Student Financial Services, etc.).
• Other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of the Center for Academic Achievement.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Assist in coordinating special events related to student success and ADP program visibility.
• Contribute to university publications or reports related to access and equity programming.
• Support grant writing and reporting efforts in collaboration with university advancement or other offices.

# of Direct Reports 2

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree required.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in student success, academic support, or higher education leadership.
• Demonstrated expertise in retention strategies and student engagement best practices.
• Strong background in program assessment.
• Must be a team player as well as a self-starter with a positive, relationship-focused attitude.
• Excellent leadership, communication, data-tracking, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the mission of La Salle University.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in student success, academic support, or higher education leadership.
• Experience working with grant-funded access initiatives (such as Act 101 or TRIO).
• Extensive experience in student success and equity-based access programs.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours

• Some evening and weekend hours may be required at strategic times throughout the year, and the six-week summer bridge program may require hours beyond those of a typical 35-hour week.
• Because of the nature of the work, most work must be in-person, on-campus.

Special Instructions to Applicant La Salle University is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and respectful environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek candidates who will contribute to a positive, inclusive, and supportive community, and who are committed to working collaboratively with students, fostering critical thinking, supporting their success, and helping them realize their full potential. La Salle University offers its eligible employees comprehensive medical and dental plans, employer paid life and disability insurance, retirement benefits, generous paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and holidays), and tuition benefits such as no cost undergraduate and graduate degree programs for its employees (with no wait period) and no cost undergraduate degree programs for its employees’ dependents (after completing the required years of service).

Posting Information

Application Open Date 11/11/2026

Application Close Date 12/03/2026

Application Open To Internal and External Applicants

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Interest
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Optional Documents