Mon. – Fri. 8 am – 5 pm; some evenings and weekends

The Office of Undergraduate Studies invites applications for the position of Director of First Experiences. From admission to graduation, the units of the Office of Undergraduate Studies at the University of Utah provide every student with an exceptional educational experience that empowers them to lead transformational lives wherever their educational and professional futures take them.
The Director of First Experiences provides leadership and management for all aspects of the unit and implements specific activities or processes. The Director will work collaboratively with administrators, faculty, and other campus partners to oversee, develop, implement, and assess programming that supports the successful transition of first-year students and their connection to first experiences at the University of Utah. Additionally, the Director will oversee Complete U and future programs. Complete U is a first-year and completion-focused initiative that consists of the Strong Start Summer Bridge program and Accelerate U, a condensed academic pathway to complete certain degrees in less than four years. The Director also chairs the First Experiences Advisory Council. This position reports directly to the Senior Associate Dean of Student Success & Transformative Experiences.

The Director of First Experiences will:
• Coordinate first experiences in the Office of Undergraduate Studies and across the University of Utah’s Colleges, Schools, and various student-facing departments and units.
• Implement strategic plans, policies, and business processes for unit-related activities, including management of the Strong Start Summer Bridge program.
• Design and manage a process for collecting, assessing, and promoting the impact of first experiences across the University of Utah.
• Interpret, analyze, and utilize data, along with current educational research, to make recommendations to improve and/or innovate additional first experiences, including those of transfer students. 
• Present at high school counselor conferences and admissions events to recruit students for the Strong Start Summer Bridge program.  
• Chair the First Experiences Advisory Council to collaboratively identify strategies to enhance the experiences of first-year students and make recommendations to the Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Undergraduate Studies. 
• Support the Senior Associate Dean for Student Success & Transformative Experiences in the creation and implementation of additional first experiences.
• Engage a growing, impassioned, and fast-paced team in Student Success & Transformative Experiences in Undergraduate Studies to reach intentional, student-centered goals.
• Manage the Complete U program staff.
• Engage in other duties as assigned.

Bachelor’s degree in a related area, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); eight years of progressively more responsible management experience; and demonstrated leadership, human relations and effective communications skills required.

Master’s degree in Higher Education, Education Leadership and Policy, Student Affairs, or related area preferred.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

• Experience leading and directing summer bridge programs
• Experience leading first-year experience programming
• Experience working with students from diverse populations
• Familiarity working with transfer students
• Master’s degree or higher

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu



https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.