Assistant Director, First-generation undocumented and immigrant student support

Assistant Director of First-generation undocumented and immigrant student supportGeorge Mason University First Gen+ Center invites applications for the Assistant Director of First-generation undocumented and immigrant student support position. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason's academic and culturally inclusive environment.About the Department: The First-Gen+ Center serves as an accessible starting point for students (and their families) to understand and connect with relevant university resources. The team prioritizes data to better understand the student experience and proactively works toward improving the campus to be "first-gen ready" and "undocufriendly" throughout each university area. We work to enhance the collegiate experience through services, programs, policy awareness, and educating the campus community. Staff on the team collaborate across campus and beyond, in order to streamline resources and supports for students, including participating at local and national levels to share practical and scholarly content as a catalyst for institutions to broaden their work. MissionThe First-Gen+ Center supports students who are historically underrepresented in higher education and their allies while specifically centering college students who identify as first-generation, who identify as undocumented, have refugee status, and those who have families with limited income. VisionExcellence in the establishment of equitable, accessible, and sustainable practices that support the first-generation community. About the Position: This full-time, entry level position is focused on the support and development of undocumented students and refugee students. As a part of the First-Gen+ Center, the person who fills this role is expected to have a strong understanding of immigration policy and an in-depth knowledge about the experiences of first-generation college students, more specifically: undocumented and refugee students within colleges and universities in the United States. This position reports to the Director of the First-Gen+ Center and is a part of a team of three (3) full-time Assistant Directors within the department. Responsibilities: The Assistant Director is responsible for the planning and management of student focused programs and initiatives that have a specific focus on the development, affirmation, and support of students who are undocumented, students protected by the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or who have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and students who identify as Asylees or Refugees. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Direct Student SupportSupport, advise, and liaise with affiliated student organizations that support undocumented students, including but not limited to: UndocuMason and F1rst Gen Mason.Provide direct advising and support to undocumented students, including meeting with students individually to assess support needs and collaborating with units within and outside of University Life to resolve student issues, including referrals to campus or community-based services. Key departmental liaisons connected to this role are:Student Support and Advocacy CenterOffice of Student Financial AidOffice of AdmissionsOffice of the University RegistrarOffice of International Programs and ServicesInstitute for Immigration Research Management of the First Generation Next Generation Fund. Includes: convening and selecting committee members as needed, outreach to advertise scholarships to students, submission of paperwork and direct student support meetings for recipients. Aligned with this is the management and awareness of funding available, such as the Undocumented Scholars Award.Engage in a programming portfolio that includes support for and management of: UndocuAlly Training, UndocuTalks, Immigration Monologues, DREAM Week (these are all in partnership with UndocuMason). This includes the develop annual program outcomes, evaluations, budget management, and annual reporting for above stated programs and incorporation of relevant national, local, and campus-wide trends and needs for identified student populations. Policy Awareness and ImplementationServe as Point of Contact for the unit regarding policies and legislation impacting undocumented and refugee students including connections with aligned organizations such as: Legal Aid Justice Center, UndocuMason Advisory Board, C-Con, UndocuBlack, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, and others as relevant. Serve on the Undocumented Student Task Force and First-Generation Student Task Force as an active and contributing member. Includes 2-5 task force meetings per academic year depending on need and subcommittee work outside of meetings as relevant. Maintain ongoing knowledge of information relevant to the campus regarding undocumented students, including but is not limited to: Benchmarking with related services on other campusesIdentifying trends in literatureAwareness of policy changesAdvocacy as relevant and appropriate to aid in their success Education and TrainingSupervise 2 Student Support Coordinators, 2-4 UndocuAlly Trainers (all undergraduate students). Coordinate UndocuAlly Training. Responsibilities include, but not limited to: recruitment, hiring, and supervision of trainers; recruitment of participants; design and implement curriculum for participants and trainers; assessment. Develop relevant additional trainings or workshops to support awareness building for the communities served by the department. Additional DutiesProvide general support to additional team-level work with first-generation students, including the Student Transition Empowerment Program (STEP) and first-generation student programming and outreach throughout the year. Attendance to all staff meetings, small team meetings, large area meetings, and other meetings as assigned and associated with University Life (Student Affairs) and across the University as relevant to role. This includes service on committees as assigned or approved by Supervisor.Required (Minimum) Qualifications:Master's degree in counseling, higher education, or related field; or, equivalent combination of related education and experience;Basic understanding of immigration policy in the United States (ex: DACA, TPS, Asylum, Refugee); andExperience working with individuals who are undocumented or have refugee or asylee statuses, including mixed-status families. These roles can be within higher education (colleges and universities, including two-year colleges or technical), secondary education (middle school and high school), or community-based organizations. Preferred Qualifications:Intermediate or advanced understanding or involvement with immigration policy; Demonstrated experience (generally between 1-3 years) working in a college setting with college students or working with college-bound students; andExperience serving on or leading committees that represent multiple campus and/or community partners.

For full consideration, applicants must apply at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

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