Director of TRIO Student Support Services
Details:
Posted: September 19, 2025
Level: Community College Professional 18, 12-month, tenure track position.
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Closing Date: Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm (EST) on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
Location:
CT State Manchester
60 Bidwell Street, Manchester, CT 06040
**This position is not remote**
For more information about CT State Community College and the campus please visit Home - CT State
CT State Community College Mission:
Connecticut State Community College provides access to academically rigorous and innovative education and training focused on student success. The college supports excellence in teaching and learning, makes data-informed decisions, promotes equity, and advances positive change for the students, communities and industries it serves.
CT State Community College Vision:
Connecticut State Community College is recognized for exceptional student success, educational leadership and transformative collaboration with business and industry, government, educational and key stakeholders while advancing diverse opportunities for Connecticut’s citizens and communities.
CT State Community College Equity Statement:
Connecticut State Community College commits to bold and disruptive change by actively identifying, naming, and dismantling structural racism, systemic poverty, and other barriers; establishing equitable and anti-racist policies and practices; and empowering students, faculty, staff, and administrators to advance racial, social, and economic justice. Our core collective responsibility is to continuously assess practices and policies and transform the world we live in by eliminating inequities.
Anticipated Start Date:
December 2025
Position Summary:
The Director of TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is responsible for the overall administration, leadership, and compliance of the federally funded TRIO SSS program, which is designed to support the academic success, retention, and graduation of first-generation college students, students from low-income backgrounds, and students with disabilities. The Director ensures full implementation of the program as outlined in the approved grant application and Statement of Assurances.
The Director oversees the design, delivery, and evaluation of program services, ensuring they are student-centered, equitable, and aligned with federal and institutional objectives. This position is responsible for grant preparation and reporting, program evaluation and tracking, and compliance with all applicable federal and state guidelines. The Director may supervise grant staff and is accountable for the effective operation of program services and any applicable personnel.
Example of Job Duties:
Under the direction of the Campus Dean of Students or designee, the Director of TRIO Student Support Services is responsible for for achieving the Grant Program’s goals and objectives through effective performance in these essential functional areas:
- Grant and program preparation, administration and evaluation;
- Overseeing budget preparation, maintenance and audits;
- Liaison between the Grant Program and Federal, State and City officials,
- Recruit program participants,
- Administration and hire Grant Program personnel;
- Oversee all operations of the TRIO/SSS program and personnel and assigns them to duties;
- Submission of reports to funding agencies, maintenance of records and tracking data as required.
- Provide students with Basic Needs assessment, referral, and resources.
- Assist students in the application process for benefits and services.
In addition to the accountabilities listed above, the incumbent is required to carry out the essential duties of: Attendance and participation at convocation and commencement ceremonies; Service on assigned committees and task forces; Attendance and participation at committee, staff, informational and professional meetings. These may involve attendance at evening or weekend events.
This posting includes qualifications, experience and skills but is not limited to the full specifications stated in the job description.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master’s degree in education, psychology, counseling, social work, or appropriately related field and one (1) or more years of related experience together with two (2) years supervisory experience.
Incumbents are required to have demonstrated advanced knowledge and abilities in the following:
- Ability to communicate and collaborate with staff, students and parents/guardians.
- Demonstrated experience in budget and/or fiscal management.
- Ability to prepare, oversee and follow through the grant applications complete process and annual performance report.
- Familiarity with the challenges faced by students who are first-generation, from low-income backgrounds and/or populations underrepresented in higher education.
Candidates must possess proven ability to effectively work with culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse faculty, staff, and students. They are expected to have excellent interpersonal oral and written communication skills along with strong Information technology literacy skills such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams etc.).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Two (2) years of experience in higher education.
- Four (4) or more years of of management experience.
- Experience handling confidential student information and case management.
Starting Salary:
Minimum Salary range; $74,604 - $79,609 approximate annual plus excellent State of CT medical insurance, retirement, and related fringe benefits. The salary will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications such as education and job-related experience, and internal equity.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous leave policies; several retirement plans; and many choices for comprehensive health insurance. You also have access to many additional benefits to save for retirement, protect your family & more with supplemental benefits. Tuition reimbursement may apply if applicable. For more information, please visit our website at: CSCU - Human Resources - Future Employees.
Application Instructions:
To apply you must submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter may be entered as text in the corresponding box, or it can be uploaded as a combined file with the resume.
Incomplete applications or those submitted after the closing date will not be considered and links to other sources to view resumes are not acceptable. To apply via our website, visit www.ct.edu/hr/jobs.
Selection Procedure:
Following the closing date, application materials will be evaluated by a selection committee. Candidates selected for further consideration will be limited to those applicants who are best qualified based on the minimum and preferred qualifications and who have submitted all the required documents by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Candidates who have been selected and approved to interview will be contacted, and finalists will be recommended for further consideration by the Hiring Manager for final selection and recommendation for employment. The selection process may also include practical exercises (i.e., teaching demonstration and/or other written, technical, manipulative, or simulation exercises) to evaluate candidates' qualifications.
Background Screening:
All employment, if offered, is contingent upon proof of citizenship or employability under the requirement of the Immigration and Control Act (IRCA) and the successful passing of a background check, including granting permission to contact current and previous employers for verification. CSCU is committed to providing a safe campus community. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check and, when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.
Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination
CT State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, intellectual disability, physical disability (including but not limited to blindness), present or past history of mental disability, prior criminal record, race, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, retaliation for previously opposed discrimination or coercion, veteran status, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or trafficking or any other federal or state protected class in its employment, programs, and activities, unless the provisions of Section 46a-80(b) or 46a-81(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes are controlling or there are bona fide occupational qualifications excluding persons in one of the above protected groups.
For information regarding the nondiscrimination, disability, and Title IX policies/procedures, contact: John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, CT State Community College, 185 Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051, 860-612-7056 or [email protected].
CSCC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.