Assistant Director of Pre-College Programs and Early Engagement

Wabash College, a liberal arts college for men, seeks faculty and staff who are committed to providing quality engagement with students, high levels of academic challenge and support, and meaningful experiences that prepare students for life and leadership among diverse populations around the globe.

Job Overview:

The Assistant Director of Pre-College Programs and Early Engagement serves as the operational lead for Wabash College's pre-college summer programs and a primary connector for early engagement with prospective students in grades 9-10. The role oversees the full program lifecycle from planning and logistics to staffing, budgeting, and compliance, while simultaneously driving outreach efforts that build awareness of and interest in Wabash College among underclassmen, school counselors, and community-based organizations.

The Assistant Director works closely with campus partners and third-party organizations to deliver meaningful programming, and cultivates alumni, parent, and community volunteers to extend the College's recruitment reach.

This is a grant-funded, full-time, on-campus position that requires some travel within Indiana and availability for occasional evening and weekend work during active programming.

Job Responsibilities:

* Serve as the operational lead for all pre-college summer programs, including development of project plans and timelines, leadership of implementation meetings, and real-time problem solving during active programming.

* Lead recruitment and promotion initiatives to attract underclassmen (grades 9-10) to summer pre-college programs and to Wabash College, including outreach to high schools, community-based organizations, and college fairs across Indiana.

* Ensure compliance with all youth protection policies and serve as emergency response coordinator, including oversight of incident documentation and follow-up.

* Oversee all program logistics in coordination with campus partners, including housing, dining, safety, scheduling, and facility use for day and overnight programs.

* Monitor and manage program budgets to ensure alignment with grant funding requirements and institutional expectations.

* In partnership with Human Resources and the Business Office, maintain all required agreements, consent forms, background checks, and related compliance documentation.

* Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate student summer program staff.

* Develop and execute communication plans targeting underclassmen, school counselors, and key influencers to promote summer programs and Wabash College.

* Design and facilitate college search educational programming within summer programs, including sessions on admissions essays, campus visits, and the college decision process.

* Cultivate and coordinate alumni, parent, and community volunteers to support Enrollment Office programming and campus visit initiatives.

* Manage relationships and programming with third-party partner organizations.

* Collect and analyze participant and enrollment data; produce post-program reports and recommend operational and strategic improvements.

* Develop and implement best practices that support continuous program improvement and alignment with College goals.

* Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree required;
Master's degree in higher education, student affairs, or a related field preferred.

* Three to five years' experience in youth programming, student affairs, enrollment, college access, summer camp administration, or a related field.

* Demonstrated experience supervising staff and leading event or program operations involving complex logistics.

* Experience with college access, recruitment, or outreach work, including engagement with high school students, school counselors, and community-based organizations.

* Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and operate effectively in high-interruption environments.

* Sound judgment and demonstrated crisis management capability in fast-paced settings.

* Experience with data collection, analysis, and reporting to inform program improvement and decision-making.

* Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively with campus partners, external stakeholders, and community volunteers.

* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong interpersonal effectiveness across diverse audiences.

* Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.

* Willingness to travel within Indiana and work occasional evenings and weekends during active programming periods.

* Commitment to the mission and goals of Wabash College.

Benefits That Support You and Your Family

At Wabash College, we believe supporting our employees means investing in their health, families, financial future, and professional growth. We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits program designed to support the overall well-being of our full-time employees. Benefits include:

* Medical Plan…