Assistant Director, Summer Bridge Coordinator -

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA). The Assistant Director, Summer Bridge Coordinator provides strategic leadership and comprehensive oversight of summer bridge programs designed to ease students' transition into college. These intensive five-week initiatives serve first-year and conditionally admitted students through immersive academic experiences that introduce college-level rigor while providing built-in academic support. The position directs all aspects of program planning, implementation, and assessment, guiding students from admission through their first year while coordinating cross-campus partnerships to ensure a seamless transition to the university. The Assistant Director delivers holistic student support through developmental advising, academic coaching, and case management while supervising peer mentors and facilitating high-impact academic enrichment initiatives. This role advances institutional retention and student-success goals by supporting at-risk student populations and applying student development theory and data-informed practices to improve persistence, timely progression, and degree completion.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of counseling and mentoring techniques Knowledge of student development theory and best practices in student success programming Strong written and oral communication skills Ability to provide holistic, developmental academic advising and coaching Ability to support broad student populations and collaborate effectively with a variety of stakeholders Ability to analyze data and apply data-informed strategies to improve student outcomes Ability to manage multiple programs, timelines, and stakeholder relationships simultaneously Ability to supervise, train, and develop student staff Ability to design and facilitate academic enrichment and college-transition programming Minimum Qualifications Interested candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any other immigration-related assistance. A master's degree in Higher Education, College Student Personnel, or related field Previous experience in higher education, advising, coaching, or related student services Preferred Qualifications Experience in designing, coordinating, and implementing student support initiatives, especially summer programs or programs for conditionally admitted students Experience promoting academic success with conditionally admitted or academically at-risk students Position Type Permanent Full-Time Number of Hours Per Week 40 Number of Months Per Year 12 Posting Text Open Date 03/27/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants To be considered, you must apply online. Please include a cover letter, resume, and a list of professional references to complete the application process. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. For questions or additional information, please contact Thom Newkirk at tnewkirk@email.wcu.edu Background/E-Verify Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify . Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment. Credential Verification All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements. EOE Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu. University Safety The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.