Academic College Discovery Director

Academic College Discovery Director

POSITION DETAILS

Founded in 1971 in Long Island City, Queens, LaGuardia Community College is one of seven community colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY). LaGuardia offers more than sixty associate degree programs and more than fifty workforce training, ESOL, GED, and pre-college programs. In 2023, LaGuardia served approximately 24,000 students. More than one-third of LaGuardia’s degree-seeking students are born outside the United States; they come from 136 countries and speak 43 heritage languages. Sixty percent are first-generation college students.

Virtually all LaGuardia students are ethnic minorities (89 percent), 58 percent are women, 27 percent are over the age of 25. Forty-six percent of associate degree students are Hispanic. Upon graduation most students transfer to four-year colleges, typically in CUNY, to complete their baccalaureate degrees. Graduates of career programs such as Nursing, Computer Technology, and Veterinary Technology enter the workforce. LaGuardia ranked fifth among U.S. community colleges in economic mobility – moving low-income students into the middle class and beyond – in studies by Stanford University (2017) and the Brookings Institution (2020). Please visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.

Reporting to the Associate Dean of Progress & Completion, The Director is responsible for general oversight of the College Discovery Program. The Director develops and implements strategies to improve retention of College Discovery Students in collaboration with the counselors, prepares annual evaluations, conducts monthly program meetings, attends monthly meetings at the University Central Office, and represents the Counseling Department Chairperson at meetings needed. In addition to the CUNY Title Overview, the Director's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the College Discovery program;
• Developing and monitoring a comprehensive program of academic (tutoring), counseling and financial aid services for a specific student population;
• Implementing academic interventions and other new initiatives to improve students' academic performance and retention;
• Evaluating intensive academic support assessments and interventions for probation and at-risk students; makes recommendations to improve offerings;
• Overseeing program's budget and daily administration, including scheduling and timely delivery of services;
• Preparing reports for management; may write grant proposals to support the development of new offerings and services.
• Supervise and train staff

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree and eight years' relevant experience required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master's Degree, a minimum of three years of experience in a leadership position preferred.

Demonstrated experience in supervision of professional staff and peer advisors. Strong leadership, program development, collaboration and teamwork skills.

• Outstanding communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills
• Excellent multi-tasking ability and responsiveness to time-sensitive requests
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently on multiple related projects
• Strong computer skills (Word and Excel required)
• Understanding of evaluation and data needs of education programs
• Strong fiscal management skills
• Familiarity with fiscal requirements and budgets of sponsored projects
• Understanding of the organization of public higher education systems
• Familiarity with issues faced by community college students, especially in urban settings

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Directs campus College Discovery program operations. College Discovery is a higher education opportunity program established to provide academic and counseling support for eligible students at CUNY's Community Colleges.

• Designs, implements and monitors a comprehensive program of academic and counseling services for College Discovery's target student population
• Develops and implements academic interventions and other new initiatives to improve students' academic performance
• Administers intensive academic support assessments and interventions for probation and at-risk students
• Manages program budget; writes grant proposals and acquires funding to support the development of new offerings and services
• Conducts ongoing assessment of the main program functions to improve upon service delivery
• Manages counseling, instructional and clerical staff
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Title Name: Academic College Discovery Director

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Officer

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

$91,878 - $118,070

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID or Title. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.

Candidates should provide a resume and cover letter.

This position is open to LaGuardia Community College employees only.

CLOSING DATE

April 26th, 2026

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID: 32017

Location: LaGuardia Community College

Job Type: Full-Time