Assistant Director of Scholar Support and Educational Access

Location: Fremont
Posted on: June 23, 2025

Job Description:

About San Francisco Bay University: San Francisco Bay University (SFBU), a nonprofit, WASC-accredited university situated in the heart of Silicon Valley in Fremont, California, seeks an innovative and experienced Assistant Director of Scholar Support and Educational Access. SFBU’s mission is to offer inclusive, innovative, and inspirational education for lifelong careers, and our vision is to set the standard as a national model of higher education in service of the common good. At SFBU, students come first. We prioritize students’ needs by fostering personal engagement among students, faculty, and staff. We are committed to providing affordable, quality education with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. We encourage you to learn more about SFBU by reviewing our strategic plan at https://www.sfbu.edu/strategic-plan . Position Overview: The Assistant Director of Scholar Support and Educational Access advances the university’s mission to expand educational opportunity, promote equity, and support student success. This role provides tailored, student-centered support to undergraduate students from college access programs and scholarship partnerships—many of whom are first-generation and from historically underrepresented backgrounds—throughout their academic journey, from transition to graduation. Responsibilities include academic advising, mentorship coordination, leadership development, entrepreneurial guidance, and connecting students with campus resources. The Assistant Director also designs and implements data-informed initiatives to improve retention, persistence, and completion rates. Additionally, the role ensures consistent communication with external college access partners and collaborates with student affairs, advising, institutional research, and enrollment services to foster inclusive student success and a sense of belonging. This is a full-time, 12-month position based in Fremont, CA, renewable upon performance review. Responsibilities: Scholar Support and Student Success Provide holistic, student-centered support to undergraduate scholars from Startup Scholars, Junior Achievement, LEAF, College Track, and Silicon Valley Boys & Girls Club programs, including individualized guidance, academic monitoring, and proactive referrals to campus resources that promote persistence, retention, and graduation. Develop and implement targeted initiatives focused on improving persistence, retention, and graduation rates for scholars from these programs. Coordinate onboarding and orientation experiences tailored to access scholars’ needs to ensure a strong start to their university journey. Facilitate regular check-ins, workshops, and cohort-building activities that foster community and belonging. Support scholars’ personal and professional growth through leadership development programs, internship connections, and career readiness workshops. Encourage student leadership within the cohort by facilitating peer mentoring or ambassador opportunities. Educational Access and Partner Engagement Maintain strong, collaborative relationships with partner organizations to ensure a seamless transition for incoming students. Provide timely reports, updates, and feedback to partners regarding student progress, university engagement, and partnership outcomes. Program Coordination and Administration Develop and manage communication plans, engagement calendars, and progress tracking for access scholar cohorts. Collaborate with Admissions, Financial Aid, Academic Advising, and Student Services to coordinate student support. Monitor academic performance, enrollment data, and engagement indicators to identify at-risk students and implement timely interventions. Track and assess program effectiveness using quantitative and qualitative data; prepare reports and recommend improvements. Utilize student success platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Navigate, Starfish) to track engagement and outcomes, ensuring data-driven decision-making. Equity, Inclusion, and Advocacy Advocate for policies, practices, and resources that promote equity, inclusion, and belonging for first-generation and historically underserved students. Collaborate with campus units to address systemic barriers to student success and degree completion. Promote culturally responsive practices and inclusive programming that affirm students’ identities and lived experiences. Contribute to institutional strategies focused on access, equity, and student success by participating in planning meetings or working groups. Align scholar support efforts with broader university goals and accreditation standards. Support additional initiatives and responsibilities as needed. Required Qualifications: Master’s degree in education, student affairs, counseling, social work, public administration, or a related field. 3–5 years of professional experience in higher education, college access/success programs, student support services, or related nonprofit/education sectors. Demonstrated commitment to educational equity, college access, and supporting students from historically underserved backgrounds, including first-generation college students and students of color. Experience in developing and implementing student support programs focused on retention, persistence, and degree completion. Strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing students who enter college through access-focused organizations or scholarship programs. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, families, community partners, and colleagues across departments. Ability to manage multiple projects, track student progress, and use data to inform continuous improvement. Proven skills in program coordination, event planning, and stakeholder engagement. Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and practice. Proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel or other visualization software) to effectively interpret student data and support evidence-based interventions. Preferred Qualifications: Doctorate degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, education policy, or a related field. Experience working directly with students in college access or success programs (e.g., College Track, Junior Achievement, QuestBridge, Upward Bound, etc.). Experience supporting first-year seminars or success courses and guiding students through project-based learning focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, or socially responsible business development. Familiarity with student development theory, particularly related to first-generation and underrepresented student populations. Experience with early alert systems, retention dashboards, or student success platforms (e.g., EAB Navigate, Salesforce, Starfish). Knowledge of FERPA and best practices in handling confidential student information. Strong writing, presentation, and communication skills for preparing reports, facilitating workshops, and maintaining professional correspondence with partners. Experience collaborating with external community-based organizations to support student pathways. Background in program evaluation and continuous improvement methodologies. Bilingual or multilingual skills to enhance communication with diverse student populations and families. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of student development theories and equity-minded practices that support first-generation and underrepresented student success. Strong data literacy, including the ability to analyze and interpret student metrics to inform program improvements. Skilled in building collaborative relationships with internal teams and external partners to coordinate student support services. Ability to design, implement, and assess programs that improve student retention, persistence, and completion rates. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with experience engaging diverse students, families, and stakeholders. Capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines efficiently. Proficient in delivering presentations, workshops, and trainings to varied audiences. Knowledge of compliance and privacy regulations in higher education, including FERPA and ADA. Cultural competency and commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable environments for students from diverse backgrounds. Strong organizational and administrative skills, including experience with program tracking and reporting tools (e.g., Salesforce, EAB Navigate). Salary Range: $90,000- $105,000/ year, depending on experience. 12-month contract renewable contingent upon performance review. Application Materials: Interested candidates must submit the following application materials: A cover letter detailing your qualifications for this position and alignment with our mission and core values ( https://www.sfbu.edu/strategic-plan ). A resume or curriculum vitae. Contact information for three professional references. Applications will be reviewed immediately and will continue until the position is filled. This position description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice. SFBU is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer: SFBU is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. SFBU does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. In accordance with federal and state disability laws, San Francisco Bay University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance during the application or interview process, please contact SFBU Human Resources at hrmgr@sfbu.edu .

Keywords: , Union City , Assistant Director of Scholar Support and Educational Access, Education / Teaching , Fremont, California