Program Director, Retention & Mentoring Experiences

46358BR

Position Description:

Performs administrative duties in the management and coordination of a large specialized project and program. Performs varied and complex administrative duties requiring independent judgment and the application of established policies and procedures. May provide supervision and direction to clerical, paraprofessional or professional staff members.

About the University:

Founded in 1923, Texas Tech University began with a mission to serve the needs of West Texas, but its impact has always reached far beyond. Today, Texas Tech, located in Lubbock (pop. 300,000+), is home to a vibrant community of more than 42,000 students.Texas Tech's 1,800-acre campus showcases Spanish Renaissance architecture and is home to one of the country's largest public art collections. Its 13 colleges include a prestigious School of Law and a distinguished School of Veterinary Medicine. These programs equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their respective fields. Built on the values of West Texas — hard work, grit and authenticity — the university graduates students who are deeply engaged in service to their communities and well-positioned to succeed in the world. Texas Tech is committed to achieving research and scholarly accomplishments that compare favorably to the member institutions of the Association of American Universities (AAU). For more than 100 years, Texas Tech has been a premier destination for those seeking a world-class education and a unique, personalized experience as a member of the Red Raider family.

About the Department and/or College:

The Program Director for Retention & Mentoring Experiences provides leadership for programs and student success initiatives focused on undergraduate student persistence, connection, and success at Texas Tech University. This role leads professional and student staff, supports the continued development of retention and mentoring efforts, and works across the university to strengthen how students are supported at pivotal points in their college journey. The Program Director leads two key areas: On Track and Mentor Tech. Together, these programs bring proactive student support and mentoring into Texas Tech’s broader undergraduate student success strategy.

On Track was developed through the 2023–24 Strategic Enrollment Planning process to provide proactive support for priority student populations. On Track Champions use early alerts, student success data, and proactive outreach to identify student needs and connect students with timely support through a model of academic “pre-covery.”

Mentor Tech has supported Texas Tech students for more than 25 years through peer, faculty, staff, and alumni mentoring. The program helps students build connections, navigate transitions, and develop a stronger sense of belonging.

As Texas Tech continues to strengthen its First-Year Experience, Mentor Tech also supports the peer mentoring component of this work, connecting first-year students with trained peer mentors as part of a coordinated approach to student transition and success. The Program Director will have the opportunity to build on this work while helping shape what comes next for these programs, strengthening proactive student support, mentoring, and collaboration across the university to help more students persist toward their educational goals.

This position reports to the Senior Director for Red Raider Academic Success within Vice Provost area of Academic Innovation & Student Success.

Major/Essential Functions:

• Lead student success teams and initiatives focused on personalized student support, proactive intervention, and mentoring, including the On Track Champions Team and Mentor Tech’s peer-to-peer, faculty, staff, and alumni mentoring initiatives.

• Recruit, hire, supervise, and develop professional and student staff, establishing clear expectations, supporting professional growth, and building team capacity to provide consistent and meaningful support to students.

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of assigned areas in partnership with the Senior Director, including space management, budget planning and allocation, inventory, coordination of purchasing needs, and other operational resources that support program delivery.

• Oversee the training, development, and orientation model for Mentor Tech, including peer, faculty, staff, and alumni mentoring.

• Lead special projects focused on student retention and persistence, translating identified student needs and university priorities into coordinated strategies, programs, and action.

• Oversee the marketing, communications, and outreach strategy for Mentor Tech and On Track programs.

• Track and assess student and program outcomes to evaluate effectiveness, identify opportunities for improvement, and inform the continued development of programs and student success initiatives.

• Maintain knowledge of emerging research, promising practices, and national trends in student success to apply at Texas Tech in collaborative and cross-functional ways.

• Serve on relevant university committees and workgroups related to student success, retention, and enrollment.

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental and university student success priorities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of student success, retention, mentoring, and transition strategies, including approaches for supporting students facing academic challenges.

• Skill in supervising and developing professional and student staff with varying roles, experiences, and development needs.

• Skill in building relationships, collaborating across functional areas, and communicating effectively with students, staff, faculty, university leadership, and campus partners.

• Ability to lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of student success programs and initiatives.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, resources, and day-to-day operations while maintaining focus on longer-term goals and priorities.

• Ability to use data, technology, and student success systems to assess effectiveness, inform decisions, and identify opportunities for improvement.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in the area of specialization or closely related field. Four years of related administrative and technical experience. Additional job related education may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, or a related field.

• At least four (4) years of professional experience in student success, academic advising, student development, or a related area, including experience supporting first-year, transfer, first-generation, or academically at-risk students.

• At least two (2) years of experience supervising professional or graduate-level staff.

• Experience designing and facilitating training, professional development, or curriculum related to student support or student success initiatives.

• Experience developing and executing coordinated marketing, communication, and outreach strategies for programs or initiatives.

• Experience using data to assess program effectiveness, inform decision-making, and communicate outcomes.

Safety Information:

Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.

Does this position work in a research laboratory?:

No

Required Attachments:

Cover Letter, Professional/Personal References, Resume / CV

Job Type:

Full Time

Pay Basis:

Monthly

Job Family:

Academic & Student Services

Job Sub Family:

Student Programs

Annualized Pay Range:

$48,000 - $63,700.00 - $78,400

Pay Statement:

Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan.

Travel Required:

Up to 25%

Shift:

Day

Grant Funded?:

No

EEO Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.