Director of Student Support Services
Position Summary
This position reports to the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. The SSS Director shall provide the leadership necessary to make available a comprehensive SSS project for students, accomplished in partnership with academic department chairs, college administrators, community agencies, and other colleges. Responsibilities include assisting low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities on Adams State University's campus through
outreach, programming, and academic assistance.
Specific Job Duties and Responsibilities
Administrative Oversight
Ensure compliance of the SSS project according to the US Department of Education requirements, including the Higher Education Act, program regulations (EDGAR) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Promote the SSS mission within the University by participating in leadership meetings and providing long-term strategic planning to optimize student retention outcomes.
Recruit, hire, and supervise qualified SSS personnel and Summer Scholars faculty.
Partner with the university's established tutoring and career centers to coordinate the development, implementation, and evaluation of specialized supplemental instruction, mentoring, career services, and Summer Scholars components.
Effectively manage the grant budget, inventory of equipment, and other properties in accordance with federal regulations.
Lead the development of the grant proposal and submit all periodic reports to the US Department of Education and the university on the mandated timetable.
Regularly engage in professional development and serve on university committees as assigned.
Serve as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) as federally mandated under the Clery Act.
Individual Student Services
Maintain a caring, inclusive atmosphere conducive to the academic and personal success of all program participants.
Lead the identification and selection of eligible students, specifically managing the pipeline and interview process for the Summer Scholars program to ensure enrollment mandates are met.
Coordinate with university academic advisors to ensure participants receive accurate guidance while providing supplemental academic workshops and support as needed.
Manage and maintain accurate student participation data utilizing Blumen for federal Annual Performance Reports (APR) while ensuring seamless data reconciliation with the Workday enterprise system.
Lead the development and maintenance of all program forms, brochures, and Individual Action Plans (IAPs) designed to optimize long-term retention.
Employ appropriate conflict management skills to effectively manage disagreements or challenges that may arise with students or staff.
Qualifications
MA or MS in Education, Counseling, or Public Administration preferred.
Experience in higher education academic advising, coordination, counseling, supplemental instruction, or teaching.
Demonstrated experience working with students from diverse backgrounds, specifically low-income, first-generation students, and individuals with disabilities.
Experience in personnel supervision and fiscal management of complex budgets.
Proficiency in managing student data and compliance reporting
Familiarity with US Department of Education federal regulations, including EDGAR and OMB circulars.
Ability to work honestly, effectively, and collegially with employees, students, and the community.
Salary and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $63,200 - $75,800, commensurate with education and experience. In addition to salary, Adams State University offers a competitive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans.
How to Apply
All interested candidates must submit application materials electronically through Adams State University's Workday application portal. No other format of application material will be accepted.
Please Submit
A letter of application that specifically describes your qualifications and professional experience related to the position.
A current resume or CV
An unofficial transcript - please submit with the Resume section of the application
List of three professional references with contact information.
Question regarding the position can be directed to Aftin Gillespie aftingillespie@adams.edu
Application Deadline: June 20, 2026, with an anticipated start date of August 1, 2026.
Adams State University is committed to building and expanding the talent of its professional staff and actively seeks qualified applicants who bring unique perspectives, experiences, skills, and attributes that can augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff and can contribute to serving and preparing our students to engage and thrive in their learning, leadership, and service.
We strive to create a more representative workforce that mirrors the people who study, work, and lead our institution and welcome applications from candidates from all walks of life, especially members of communities who fall within state and federally protected classes such as: women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities.
We value qualified candidates, with varied language skills, who have a record of successful experience with varied communities and student populations, and who have a deep understanding of and commitment to the unique geographical and historical characteristics of the place we are situated in and the intersecting perspectives that define our university being a low-income, first-generation, and Hispanic-serving, rural anchor university. Therefore, we seek individuals committed to intentionally supporting students and colleagues who possess these characteristics through their teaching, service, and scholarship.
The successful candidate will join a campus that is dedicated to inclusive excellence and acknowledges Adams State's purpose to foster the educational goals of its students and the well-being of the surrounding community.
Additional information about the university and the academic mission may be found at www.adams.edu/academics/
Disclosures
In compliance with the Immigration Control Act of 1968 candidates for positions must provide proof of eligibility to work before an offer of employment can be made final.
Adams State University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors, and to protecting its funds, property and other assets. Well-informed hiring decisions contribute to this effort. Therefore, Adams State University has adopted a policy on background screening for its prospective, continuing, and returning employees as well as students in certain circumstances. Offers of employment will be contingent upon the completion of an acceptable background check. The information received in response to a background check will be treated as confidential to the extent provided for by law.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Adams State University (ASU) may be directed to ASU's Office of Equal Opportunity, Director Ana Guevara, and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education. Support resources for sexual misconduct, ASU's sexual misconduct policies, contact information for the Adams State University's Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX, as well as a detailed procedure for filing a grievance due to discrimination on the basis of sex may be found online at https://www.adams.edu/administration/oeo/reporting-sexual-harassment/. These procedures also describe the University's response to reports and/or complaints of sex discrimination or sexual harassment.
Adams State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Applications are sought from all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, disability, and, as covered by law, veteran status. In addition, University policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation including transgender status and gender expression, marital status, and parental status.