Job Details

5689

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity's urgent challenges.

This is a full-time temporary, benefit-based position with an anticipated end date of February 28, 2029. The appointment is renewable at the discretion of the University and dependent upon performance and continued funding.

The Assistant Director of Student Success and Outreach for Torero Urban Scholars (TUS) plays a key role in advancing the holistic success, retention, belonging, and post-graduate mobility of formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students at the University of San Diego. Torero Urban Scholars is a higher education reentry and student success program housed within the Mulvaney Center for Community, Awareness, and Social Action. The program supports current undergraduate and graduate students, prospective transfer students, and students transitioning from community colleges, carceral settings, and community-based reentry pathways into higher education.

Reporting directly to the Senior Director for Student Social and Economic Mobility, the Assistant Director provides day-to-day leadership for student success, outreach, programming, and program operations. This position works closely with the Torero Urban Scholars Graduate Assistant to coordinate individualized student support, community-building efforts, retention initiatives, academic and career readiness programming, and student engagement. The Assistant Director also supervises the Graduate Assistant, who provides direct oversight and support to College Corps Fellows, student employees, interns, and/or peer leaders assigned to the program.

The Assistant Director serves as a primary point of contact for TUS students and prospective students, helping students navigate academic, financial, personal, reentry-related, and institutional barriers. The role supports student intake, case management, referral coordination, outreach, campus and community partnerships, event planning, communication, assessment, and storytelling efforts that elevate the experiences and achievements of justice-impacted students.

In collaboration with the Senior Director, this position also assists with grant-funded initiatives, including program implementation, data collection, reporting, partner coordination, and other grant deliverables connected to the growth and sustainability of Torero Urban Scholars. Through direct student support, thoughtful program coordination, and a commitment to educational equity, the Assistant Director helps strengthen TUS as a student-centered reentry program rooted in belonging, community engagement, social justice, and long-term social and economic mobility.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Student Success, Retention, and Holistic Support   

• Serve as the primary point of contact for Torero Urban Scholars students, providing holistic advising, case management, advocacy, and referrals that promote persistence, retention, and graduation.
• Coordinate student intake, onboarding, individualized success planning, and ongoing assessment.
• Foster an inclusive, trauma-informed, strengths-based environment that promotes belonging and student wellbeing.
• Partner with faculty, staff, and campus offices to remove barriers and improve student outcomes.
• Develop educational programming and leadership opportunities that support academic success, wellness, and community.
• Maintain accurate student records and utilize data to inform individualized support and continuous improvement.

Outreach, Recruitment, and Pipeline Development 

• Lead outreach and recruitment efforts that expand access to higher education for justice-impacted students.
• Build partnerships with community colleges, correctional education programs, reentry organizations, and community partners.
• Guide prospective students through admissions, transfer, financial aid, and enrollment processes.
• Represent Torero Urban Scholars through presentations, conferences, campus visits, and community engagement activities.
• Support regional pathway initiatives including the Transfer Coalition Initiative.

Program Leadership, Operations, and Supervision 

• Provide day-to-day operational leadership for Torero Urban Scholars.
• Supervise the Graduate Assistant and oversee student employees, fellows, interns, and peer leaders.
• Coordinate annual planning, programming, events, budgets, communications, and operational systems.
• Support grant implementation, reporting, compliance, and project management.
• Develop policies, procedures, and operational improvements.
• Represent the program across university committees and collaborative initiatives.

Career Readiness, Community Partnerships, and Coalition Building   

• Cultivate partnerships that strengthen career pathways and workforce development opportunities.
• Develop leadership, internship, fellowship, and employment opportunities.
• Coordinate regional collaborations and coalition-building initiatives.
• Serve as liaison with employers, community organizations, and government agencies.
• Expand partnerships that enhance student success and post-graduate mobility.

Assessment, Communications & Grant Administration   

• Collect and analyze student, program, and partnership data.
• Prepare grant reports, presentations, and institutional assessments.
• Coordinate program communications, marketing, storytelling, and digital content.
• Highlight student success stories that advance narrative change and program visibility.
• Support strategic planning and continuous improvement.
• Maintain documentation required for grants and institutional reporting.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Valid California driver's license (or ability to obtain one within six months of employment) preferred for occasional local travel.
• Successful completion of all University-required background screening and training.

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree  required in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Public Administration, Social Work, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Education, or a closely related field.  Substitution: Additional directly related experience may be considered in lieu of education at the rate of one year of work experience is equivalent to two years of higher education. 
• Minimum three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience is required in student affairs, higher education, community engagement, case management, student success, nonprofit leadership, workforce development, or a related field.  Substitution: A Master's degree in a related field may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required professional experience.
• Experience providing direct support, advising, coaching, or case management to students or other historically marginalized populations.
• Experience coordinating programs, events, partnerships, or community engagement initiatives.
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity, student success, and social justice.
• Experience supporting students through advising, coaching, mentoring, case management, or related student success practices.
• Strong organizational, project management, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community partners.
• Experience planning and implementing programs, workshops, events, or community engagement activities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and other standard office technologies.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Public Administration, Social Work, Education, Counseling, or a related field.
• Experience working with justice-impacted, formerly incarcerated, first-generation, transfer, veteran, or other historically underserved student populations.
• Experience working in higher education reentry, community-based organizations, workforce development, or nonprofit settings.
• Experience supervising graduate assistants, interns, student employees, fellows, or peer leaders.
• Experience managing grant-funded initiatives, including reporting, compliance, assessment, and data collection.
• Experience developing strategic partnerships with colleges, employers, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based approaches to student support.
• Experience with communications, storytelling, marketing, or public engagement efforts.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Principles and best practices in student success, retention, advising, case management, and student development.
• Higher education systems, student support resources, and university policies.
• Educational equity, trauma-informed practice, and culturally responsive engagement.
• Program planning, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement.
• Grant administration, reporting, compliance, and data management.
• Career readiness and workforce development practices.
• Community partnership development and coalition building.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Program and project management.
• Event planning and coordination.
• Student advising, coaching, and advocacy.
• Facilitation and public speaking.
• Data collection, organization, and reporting.
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• Time management and organizational effectiveness.
• Foster an inclusive, welcoming, and student-centered environment.
• Build trust with students from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Balance multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism.
• Work both independently and collaboratively.
• Develop and sustain effective partnerships across campus and throughout the community.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop graduate assistants and student staff.
• Adapt to changing priorities while maintaining high-quality service.

$6,125 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.  Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.  USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position.  Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers' review.  If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Closing date: August 31, 2026

Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.