Director of Educational Opportunity & TRIO Programs -Division of Access and Engagement - UTK jobs in United States
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University of Tennessee, Knoxville · 18 hours ago

Director of Educational Opportunity & TRIO Programs -Division of Access and Engagement - UTK

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is seeking a Director of Educational Opportunity and TRIO Programs to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for pre-college and TRIO initiatives. This role involves supervising multiple Project Directors and ensuring programmatic excellence and compliance with federal regulations, while fostering collaboration among educational partners to enhance the P–12 to post-secondary pipeline.

Higher Education
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H1B Sponsor Likelynote

Responsibilities

Serves as a member of the Vice Chancellor's Leadership Team, working closely with other administrators to support the Division's institutional responsibilities and priorities
Oversee and provide leadership for all TRIO and pre-college programs; including supervision of five Project Directors, a Business Manager, and an Administrative Specialist
Ensure strict compliance with federal guidelines and institutional policies including writing, executing, and reporting on grants
Supervise and develop all staff responsible for pre-college and TRIO programs. Establish clear expectations and evaluate staff performance
Provide mentoring, coaching, and professional development opportunities to direct reports
Promote a culture of collaboration, service excellence, and continuous learning
Complete performance evaluations for five Project Directors, a Business Manager, and an Administrative Specialist
Strictly manage the development and execution of the annual budget for the areas of oversight, ensuring compliance with federal grant regulations and responsible allocation of resources
Provide a clear and comprehensible vision for each program that aligns with Divisional & University Mission, Vision, and Values
Build strong relationships among K-12 school leaders, higher education partners, and business and community organizations
Foster and sustain these long-term partnerships to create systemic, sustainable change in educational outcomes
Develop and implement strategies to maximize student engagement and success in TRIO programs
Contribute to developing overarching strategies and approaches that advance access and engagement for students
Coordinate program engagement strategies that elevate the university's visibility and role as a regional education partner
Represent the university in regional and statewide forums related to educational attainment, college access, and outreach
Advocate for policies and practices that enhance access and student success
Develop and maintain systems to track student progress, program participation, student outcomes, and long-term success
Analyze program data and institutional enrollment trends to assess impact and identify areas for improvement
Undertake special projects or responsibilities at the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor for College Access and the Vice Chancellor for Access and Engagement

Qualification

TRIO program managementStaff supervisionBudget managementGrant writingLeadership in educationCollaboration skillsCommunication skillsEmotional intelligenceProblem-solving

Required

Education: Master's degree in education, counseling, public administration, or related field
Experience: At least five years of professional experience in designing, managing, or implementing TRIO or comparable higher education programs
Experience: Minimum two years of experience in professional staff supervision, budget management, and program development & assessment
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Exceptional interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Ability to support academic success, foster community partnerships, and promote student success
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Strong emotional intelligence and judgment
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Advanced writing and reporting skills
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Ability to manage sensitive situations with diplomacy and professionalism
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Ability to multi-task and problem-solve

Preferred

Education: Doctorate degree
Experience: Grant writing and management experience
Experience: Strong collaboration and partnership-building skills
Experience: Significant experience with admissions, enrollment management, and student affairs
Experience: Leadership experience in higher education or large-scale community initiatives
Experience: Experience working with senior-level K–12 and higher education administrators
Experience: Background in securing external funding
Experience: Familiarity with federal and state education policy
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Ability to write grants and secure external funding
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of federal and state education policy

Company

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

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As the state’s land grant, research-intensive institution, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is a university that leads.

H1B Sponsorship

University of Tennessee, Knoxville has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (143)
2024 (100)
2023 (100)
2022 (83)
2021 (77)
2020 (108)

Funding

Current Stage
Late Stage

Leadership Team

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Bruce Behn
Dean and CEO, Digital Learning
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Mark Savage
Chief Technology Officer, Digital Learning at UT
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