Director, ASCEND Center

Job Title : Director, ASCEND Center

Location : Kennesaw, Georgia

Regular / Temporary : Regular

Full / Part Time : Full-Time

Job ID : 292260

About Us

Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower our 47,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia . We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision . Come Take Flight at KSU!

Location

Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Job Summary

Leads the collaborative development of the Center's mission and guiding principles. Provides executive leadership and oversight for ASCEND Center programs and services that support the development, enhancement, or evaluation of campus-based initiatives focused on food access, temporary housing, and other supportive services. Manages the ASCEND Center, identifying and utilizing internal and external resources to sustain its mission and generate revenue. Contributes to educational and outreach efforts with a national scope, supporting programs across the country.

This position is considered limited-term staff since it utilizes contingent funding which is currently only secured through January 31, 2029. Employment thereafter will be conditional based on continued availability of funding.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES :

1. Oversees strategic long-term planning and ensures both strategic alignment and operational efficiency through continuous improvement efforts informed by program evaluations and needs assessments

2. Develops and manages the Center program training, research, and accreditation, to ensure they work well together and have a strong impact.

3. Builds and maintains partnerships with campus, state, and national groups to support collaboration and share resources.

4. Represents the Center at events and conferences to increase its visibility and promote its mission.

5. Finds and applies for funding opportunities, such as grants, to support and grow the Center¿s work.

6. Handles the Center¿s budget to ensure money is used wisely and transparently.

7. Leads program evaluations to track results and guide planning.

8. Makes sure training and services meet changing campus needs and follow CAS standards, especially for supporting students' basic needs.

9. Supervises and supports staff, providing guidance and opportunities for professional growth.

10. Identifies gaps in programs and operations, and develops solutions like training, partnerships, or new resources to improve impact.

11. Helps create and carry out marketing efforts to raise awareness of the Center¿s work and connect with key audiences.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in psychology, counseling, social work, higher education, public administration, or a related field

Required Experience

Eight (8) years of experience related to the position, including previous management and supervisory skills

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications

An advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field

Preferred Experience

Experience with development, implementation, and evaluation of services for minority, low-income populations, and / or first-generation students in the college educational setting

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

Ability to successfully interact with individuals / groups from an array of backgrounds, experiences, and communication styles

Ability to work as a contributing member in team-oriented environment

Ability to recognize and protect confidential information and exercise judgment, tact, and diplomacy in handling sensitive information and situations

Ability to work effectively with campus and community stakeholders

Demonstrated ability to conduct effective workshops and presentations for diverse audiences

Ability to work later afternoons, evenings, and weekends

Ability to be on¿call and respond as needed, either by phone or in person

Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks or projects at one time, meeting assigned deadlines

KNOWLEDGE

Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)

SKILLS

Superior interpersonal and communication skills

Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem-solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management, and presentation skills

Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills

Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https : / / www.usg.edu / policymanual / section8 / C224 / #p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https : / / www.usg.edu / policymanual / section6 / C2653 .

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, eeo@kennesaw.edu.

Other Information

This is a supervisory position.

This position does not have financial responsibilities.

This position will be required to drive.

This role is considered a position of trust.

This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).

This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time.

Background Check

• Credit Report
• Standard Enhanced + Education & DMV

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and / or verification of academic credentials.

https : / / www.usg.edu / hr / assets / hr / hrap_manual / HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf