Assistant Director of Empower Student Center

General Statement The Empower Student Center supports College of Engineering students from a wide range of backgrounds by offering a welcoming study space along with student-centered programs and services that foster academic success and a strong sense of belonging. The Center is committed to improving retention and graduation outcomes while opening pathways for future engineering and computing students.The Empower Program is a unit within the Dean’s Office of the College of Engineering. The Assistant Director of the Empower Student Center reports to the program’s Director and collaborates closely with them to create a supportive, student-focused environment. Together, they work to advance student success and strengthen retention and graduation rates across the college.The Assistant Director works closely with students, providing one-on-one guidance to help them navigate resources across the college, university, and broader community. They oversee Empower tutors and peer mentors, coordinate professional development opportunities, and collaborate with Dean’s Office staff on college-wide initiatives when appropriate.This position requires the ability to work effectively with individuals and groups with varied experiences and perspectives in a compassionate, student-centered manner. The position includes engaging with community partners, supporting outreach to K–12 schools, and building relationships with Montana’s two-year and Tribal colleges, which may involve travel. This role provides the opportunity to make a meaningful, positive impact on students’ academic and personal journeys and to contribute to a supportive environment that meets the varied needs of our student community. Duties and Responsibilities Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Provide direct support services to current and prospective NACOE students to offer guidance and expertise in navigating resources in the college, university, and community. Provide operational management of the Empower Student Center, including scheduling Empower Center tutors, facilitating a welcoming and supportive environment, and coordinating community-building activities for students. Plan and implement programs to support students in computing and engineering, and foster a sense of community and belonging among students to promote persistence and success. Engage with community partners, participate in outreach activities with K–12 schools, and build connections with Montana two-year and Tribal college partners, which may require travel to these communities. Foster relationships with other student success units at MSU and become knowledgeable about campus and community resources. Develop or connect students with opportunities to gain personal and academic skills related to workforce or research opportunities. Communicate with current and prospective incoming students and send out targeted communication to transfer and new students each semester. Provide onboarding for transfer and new students and work closely with NACOE academic advisors. Hire, train, and supervise Empower tutors and peer mentors. Engage in administrative activities including budgets, recruitment, scholarships, website and media development, and assist the Empower Director as needed. Maintain the Empower webpage. Develop summer Empower programming and support, which may include summer courses for Empower affiliates, bridge programming for students, teacher/faculty workshops, and summer institutes for teachers and/or K–12 students. Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills Bachelor’s degree in education, sociology, counseling, social work, and/or in an engineering, computing, or related STEM field(s). Demonstrated experience working with students from varied educational, geographic, or cultural backgrounds. Demonstrated project, program, or event management skills. Experience with or interest in community outreach programs. Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills Master’s degree in education, sociology, counseling, social work, and/or in an engineering, computing, or related STEM field(s). Experience with student recruitment, retention, and engagement practices in an educational setting. Knowledge of American Indian cultures, history, and contemporary issues, particularly those of tribes in Montana. Multilingual, Spanish a plus. The Successful Candidate Will Have the ability to build strong student relationships with a broad student population (. first generation, non-traditional, rural, veteran, and Indigenous students). Have the ability to complete complex tasks independently with minimal supervision. Promote and demonstrate a commitment to a culture of continuous improvement. Possess strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Possess strong interpersonal and facilitation skills. Be able to effectively prioritize workload and activities and adapt to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, effective, and professional manner. Work for the common good of students’ academic and professional success. Actively listen to all perspectives and value different viewpoints and experiences. Be proficient in computer and technology skills. Enjoy communicating with public audiences. Be a team player. Position Special Requirements/Additional Information This position is not eligible for sponsorship.Work is typically performed in an office environment inside the Empower Student Center. There may be after-hours work required in support of student groups. Limited travel required. Attendance at occasional evening or weekend events.This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Physical Demands To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. This position has supervisory duties? Yes