Director, Promise Scholars Program

Director, Promise Scholars Program Category:

Administrative/Supervisory Positions Subscribe:

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2340 -

Counseling Services Locations:

San Bruno, CA Posted:

Apr 13, 2026

Closes:

May 21, 2026 - 11:59

PM EDT Type:

Full-Time Ref. No.: 2FT016

Salary Type:

Annually Salary Range:

$143,496.00 - $181,740.00

Position ID:

199578

Share About San Mateo County Community College District:

The San Mateo County Community College District is committed to achieving educational equity for all students. As outlined in the District's Strategic Plan, "success, equity, and social justice for our students are longstanding goals." The District's "Students First" Strategic Plan is focused on "Student Success, Equity and Social Justice." We provide students with a rich and dynamic learning experience that embodies our commitment to quality education and lifelong learning, emphasizing collaboration, engaging students in and out of the classroom, and encouraging them to realize their goals and become global citizens and socially responsible leaders. When you join our San Mateo County Community College District team, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice. About the Promise Scholars Program Skyline College's Promise Scholars Program (PSP) is a cohort-based student success initiative focused on increasing timely completion of degrees and certificates. Modeled on the CUNY Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) framework, PSP provides scholars with integrated academic advisement, financial aid support, career preparation, peer mentoring, and a strong sense of community. PSP operates as part of Skyline's STEPs model alongside EOPS and TRiO Student Support Services, creating a coordinated continuum of support for students from historically underserved backgrounds. The Opportunity Skyline College invites applications for the Director, Promise Scholars Program - a dynamic leadership position responsible for the administration of PSP, the Pathways Scholars Program, a pilot program launched in 2020 that adapts the PSP cohort model to meet the needs of part-time students, and related institutionally-funded student success initiatives. The Director serves as PSP's primary advocate and architect, building collaborative relationships across campus to advance student equity and timely completion.

NOTE:

THIS POSITION WILL CLOSE ON MAY 21, 2026, AT 8

59 PM PDT.

Job Description:

Campus:

Skyline College FLSA Status:

Exempt Salary Schedule:

35

Category:

Academic Supervisor Bargaining Unit:

Non-Represented Months Per Year:

12

Hours Per Week:

37.5

Mandated Reporter:

Yes Campus Security Authority:

Yes • This position is contingent upon grant funding. Under the general direction of the assigned administrator, the Director is responsible for the administration, implementation, and evaluation of Skyline College's cohort-based student success programs focused on increasing timely degree and certificate completion. The Director supports Skyline's STEPs model, which integrates PSP with EOPS and TRiO Student Support Services to provide a coordinated continuum of student support. Public contact is extensive and involves faculty, staff, students, vendors, contractors, outside educational institutions, businesses, and community representatives. A high degree of independent judgment and creativity is required to resolve problems that arise while maintaining the fidelity of program implementation. The position requires flexible work hours and some evening and weekend responsibilities. Supervision Received and Exercised Receives general direction from an appropriate supervisor; checks with supervisor regarding non-routine assignments. Incumbent supervises faculty, staff, and student assistants, as assigned. Duties and Responsibilities The Duties and Responsibilities are representative and not intended to cover all duties the incumbent performs. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the scope of work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this class. Leadership Serve as the primary administrator responsible for the design, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of the Promise Scholars Program; oversee all matters relating to planning, development, budgeting, compliance with applicable rules and regulations, monitoring, and assessment of programs and activities. Coordinate the development, evaluation, and implementation of program goals, objectives, and strategic initiatives; assess outcomes and consequences of program initiatives and adjust strategies accordingly. Collaborate and communicate regularly with PSP district staff and PSP leads across SMCCCD; support the integration of the STEPs model with EOPS and TRiO Student Support Services to ensure a coordinated, seamless student support experience. Explore and pursue grant opportunities to support the institutionalization, expansion, and sustainability of the Promise Scholars Program and related initiatives. Develop collaborative efforts, strategic alliances, and working relationships with external constituents and internal departments; serve as a liaison to campus administration, community agencies, and program partners to maximize services and promote program visibility. Participate in college shared governance processes and committees to support overall program objectives and the college's mission, philosophy, and equity goals. Contribute to Skyline College's Educational Master Plan, program review processes, and Equal Opportunity objectives. Management of Personnel and Budgets Hire, supervise, direct, and regularly evaluate the performance of PSP and assigned program faculty and staff in accordance with District policy and applicable collective bargaining agreements; serve as a mentor to develop staff career goals and hold staff accountable to performance expectations. Develop, implement, and administer policies and procedures for program operations, consistent with District policy and applicable collective bargaining agreements. Coordinate orientation and in-service training for program faculty and staff; assign and review subordinate work for compliance with established guidelines, requirements, and procedures. Ensure staff understanding and compliance with mandated reporting requirements and applicable District policies and procedures. Oversee staff in planning and coordinating on- and off-site program events and activities. Control and authorize expenditures in accordance with established budget limitations; institute and maintain record-keeping systems in compliance with the District's Internal Controls Framework and standard District practices. Provide training and professional development related to PSP implementation to students, faculty, staff, and administration. Student Services Develop and monitor a comprehensive program of academic advisement, career counseling, peer support, and financial aid services for designated Promise Scholar students. Oversee recruitment of new students, including coordination with other college offices, outreach programs, and orientation activities. Oversee the development of student leadership, peer mentoring, and student development programming for Promise Scholars student leaders. Work closely with counseling faculty and staff, academic support programs, and other campus resources to support and strengthen scholars' academic experiences, sense of belonging, and success. Participate in college outreach and orientation programs to promote PSP and ensure equitable access for prospective Scholars. Develop, update, and maintain program policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures for all assigned programs. Reporting, Evaluation, and Marketing Collaborate with the Planning, Research, Innovation and Effectiveness (PRIE) office to ensure a comprehensive, iterative, and integrated process for program evaluation, data analysis, and student success reporting. Generate reports for campus, board, community, and public audiences on program implementation, outcomes, and evaluation; use data to support continuous program improvement and equity-focused decision-making. In collaboration with the Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations office, plan and maintain a calendar of PSP events and activities; lead and participate in communications and marketing efforts for the Promise Scholars Program. Compliance and Safety Serve as a Responsible Employee under federal Title IX and state Equity in Education mandated reporting requirements. Serve as a Campus Security Authority under the Clery Act and VAWA. Serve as a Mandated Reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) and the District's Workplace Violence Prevention Plan. Perform other related duties as assigned. Employment Standards (acquired through education, training, and/or experience)

Knowledge of:

Evidence-based student success models and program development frameworks related to first-year experience, student development, and degree completion, or comparable cohort-based approaches. Student advising, counseling frameworks, and the academic, financial, and social support needs of students from diverse and historically underserved backgrounds. Grant development and writing, and familiarity with funding sources that support student success and equity programming. Program planning, budgeting, and evaluation principles and practices. Comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of effective supervision, training, performance management, motivation, and providing constructive feedback to subordinates.

Skills and Abilities:

Provide leadership for a department and the institution at large; set a clear vision and build a collaborative, accountable, and equity-centered team culture. Effectively train, direct, supervise, motivate, and evaluate the performance of assigned faculty and staff in compliance with District policy and applicable collective bargaining agreements. Coordinate complex, multi-program operations with college services, community partners, and student constituencies in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities. Create and maintain internal controls and standard operating procedures to ensure effectiveness, efficiency, financial integrity, and regulatory compliance across all assigned programs. Design and implement strategies to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for faculty, staff, and students served by assigned programs. Communicate promptly, clearly, and effectively with diverse constituencies within and outside the College, both in writing and orally. Use data to assess program outcomes, identify equity gaps, and drive continuous program improvement. Encourage professional excellence among employees and promote an organizational culture of accountability, customer service, teamwork, and innovation.

Requirements:

Master's degree or above from an accredited institution in student services, counseling, student development, higher education administration, or a closely related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Five (5) years of experience in designing, managing, or implementing federal student support services or similar programs. Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience supervising staff, managing budgets, developing and evaluating programs, and submitting reports in compliance with federal regulations. Experience may be concurrent with the five-year requirement above. Experience developing and implementing student programming for a diverse constituency, including topics such as cultural belonging, academic skills, career preparation, financial aid literacy, and transfer readiness. Evidence of sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, gender identity and expression, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff, including those with physical and learning disabilities. Preferred Experience with cohort-based student success or first-year experience programs, or comparable comprehensive student support models. Experience managing, implementing, and evaluating student support programs. Experience with grant development, writing, and/or fundraising to support student success programming. Experience working with part-time or non-traditional student populations, including experience adapting program models to meet diverse student scheduling and life circumstances. Demonstrated experience in program evaluation, data analysis, and using student success data to inform equity-focused program improvements. Experience managing in a unionized work environment, including demonstrated ability to apply collective bargaining agreement provisions in a supervisory context.

Additional Requirements:

Provide own transportation and travel countywide.

Additional Information:

Work Demands The environmental, physical, and mental demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Environmental:

typical on-site office environment; in-person work expected with potential to participate in the District's telework program, as available. Frequent hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and online Comprehend speech at normal levels Upper limb dexterity to operate computers and peripheral equipment Vision sufficient for daily and frequent use of computers, databases, and written materials Sitting for extended periods of time Frequent bending at the waist Frequent travel on and off-sites of the District and San Mateo County Physical presence at on-site locations Lifting and carrying objects up to 20 pounds Communicate and interact with others; compose oral and written communications and reports Observe and interpret people and situations Learn and apply new information or skills Perform highly detailed work on multiple concurrent tasks Use math/mathematical reasoning Perform highly detailed work under changing priorities and deadlines on multiple concurrent tasks Work with frequent interruptions Self-regulate emotion and behavior

Benefits:

Benefits include paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. The District pays all or a portion of monthly medical plan premiums (depending on the coverage) and pays all of the monthly dental and vision plan premiums for employees and eligible dependents. Additional paid benefits include life insurance, salary continuance insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. Academic employees participate in the State Teachers' Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California (no contributions to Social Security). Optional tax-deferred 403(b) and 457 retirement plans are also available.

EEO Statement:

San Mateo County Community College District is an Equal Opportunity, Title IX, and Section 504 employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law. We seek to employ individuals who reflect our community's diversity of cultures, languages, and abilities. Our EEO Plan, grounded in Title 5 regulations, is developed and monitored by an EEO Advisory Committee, reviewed at least every three years, and supported by regular training for all members of selection and screening committees. We collect and analyze recruitment and retention data to measure progress and identify barriers. Annual Security Report San Mateo County Community College District's (SMCCCD) 2025 Annual Security Report (ASR), required by the Clery Act, includes statistics for the previous three years (2022-2024) concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by SMCCCD; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from SMCCCD. The 2025 Annual Security Report also outlines various campus safety and security policies concerning crime reporting, prevention and response to sexual and gender violence, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, emergency response and evacuation procedures, and other matters. The Annual Security Report also includes important tips to help every community member remain safe and avoid becoming a victim of crime. The 2025 Annual Security Report is now available on the Public Safety website. You can also obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Department of Public Safety at the District Office or any of the three Campuses (650) 738-7000. The report includes information about criminal activity on our campuses, emergency procedures, and resources.

Application Instructions:

Conditions of Employment Before employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete the following: Submit official transcripts (applies to all faculty or educational administrative positions). Foreign Education completed outside of the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs in order for it to be considered for the satisfaction of minimum qualifications. Foreign transcripts must be translated and evaluated by a U.S.-based credentials evaluation service. The District currently accepts evaluations from agencies approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Submit verifications of employment. Satisfactory references Successfully being cleared for employment through the background check process. In addition to background checks, the District may review publicly available information. If a candidate becomes aware of inaccurate information on the Internet, the candidate is welcome to address the issue with the Office of Human Resources. Disclose whether they have received a final administrative determination or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last seven years. Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States Approval of your employment by the SMCCCD Board of Trustees Provide a certificate of Tuberculosis exam for initial employment. Have fingerprints taken by a Live Scan computer (Clearance must be received prior to the first day of employment). Please note that the California Education Code requires, in part, that community college districts shall not employ or retain in employment persons in public school service who have been convicted of certain felonies, a misdemeanor drug charge (including alcohol offenses) or misdemeanor moral turpitude (sexual offense) crime. However, consideration may be given to those whose drug convictions occurred more than five years ago. A conviction for other crimes may not necessarily disqualify you from the job for which you may be applying. All applicants are required to submit: 1. A completed Employment Application (available during the online application process). 2. Resume 3. Cover letter of no more than 3 pages that addresses the applicant's qualifications as they relate to the requirements, knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in this announcement and cultural competence, sensitivity to, and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff. Candidates for interview will be selected from those who most closely meet the requirements and possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview. As part of the interview process, candidates may be asked to demonstrate job-related knowledge and skills. If you believe your degree, academic background, or professional achievements are equivalent to the stated minimum qualifications, please complete the Application for Equivalence - For Academic Positions, which is available as an option during the application submission process. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications as outlined do not need to complete this form. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to candidates with verified disabilities. Accommodation requests should be made as soon as practical by contacting Jennie Elizalde at elizaldej@smccd.edu or (650) 358-6822 in the Office of Human Resources. The District and/or College reserves the right to extend time limits and/or repost or restart recruitments at any time. SMCCCD is not an H1B sponsoring employer. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Powered by