Director of Office of Immigrant Student Success

Director of Office of Immigrant Student Success

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 Vice President of Student Affairs, the Director of Office of Immigrant Student Success oversees the center’s activities, goals and program evaluation. In addition to the CUNY Title Overview the Director of the Immigration Office will perform the following duties:

• Directs program strategy in coordination with Student Affairs leadership for new office that will serve as a community and resource hub
• Provides oversight, leadership, and vision for direct student outreach and services supporting retention and completion for immigrant students;
• Provides students with support services, academic and career advising, informal mentorship, and referral to other CUNY and external resources to assist with issues including financial aid, legal services, academics, crisis support, wellness and emotional support.
• Oversees the development, management, and implementation of peer leadership programs;
• Develops and maintains professional campus relationships and collaborations across departments including Academic Affairs and Financial Aid in order to improve outcomes related to the inclusion, retention, and graduation of immigrant students;
• Develops and shares information and resources with students, faculty, and LaGuardia’s community by developing and implementing workshops and events and overseeing the creation of print and online resources for immigrant student success and designing and implementing training for the campus community on policies and issues relevant to immigrant student needs;
• Acts as a confidential case manager for student issues including assessing academic and personal needs and assisting students who may be in crisis or off-track to graduation;
• Collaborates with student clubs and works with immigrant students to increase their academic and social integration into the College by creating and implementing programs;
• Advocates for policy and practice changes across the College to ensure a friendly college to all students regardless of immigration status;
• Develops relationships and collaborates with local agencies and community organizations to provide students with additional avenues to access resources and programs;
• Assess program outcomes and the needs of immigrant students in order to develop holistic action plans to better serve and promote the academic, personal, and professional growth of immigrant students at the college.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree and eight years related experience required.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with immigrant and populations either in an educational institution or in the community and an understanding of challenges facing immigrant students.
• Experience working with underrepresented and/or first-generation students and a strong understanding of student support and academic services in higher education.
• Knowledge of trends and issues facing immigrant, low-income and first-generation college, underrepresented, and disadvantaged students in higher education.
• Knowledge and familiarity with current and/or developing trends in local, state and national laws and policies related to immigration and immigrant communities.
• Knowledge and experience in analyzing problems and identifying solutions; skills and experience in developing and administering programs including general and cultural programming, program evaluation and design of outcome measures and data collection/maintenance and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies including urban college students, faculty, and administrators.
• Excellent presentation skills; ability to represent the college to external organizations.
• Outstanding organizational skills; excellent oral and written communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in related area.
• Knowledge and familiarity with current trends in higher education including understanding of important college enrollment processes such as admissions and financial aid and their applicability to immigrants
• Knowledge and familiarity with local and national organizations working on issues facing individuals who are immigrants or not documented and related available resources.
• Ability to work with students and families in the Spanish language or proficiency in another language(s) other than English.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Directs planning, program development, and administration to support access, retention, multicultural, and other student affairs objectives.

• Develops plans for, and leads a student development services unit which comprises a variety of services and programs
• Collaborates with academic affairs professionals and other in supporting retention and building a comprehensive learning environment that fosters the intellectual, psychological, social, leadership and recreational development of a diverse student population
• Assists senior management in providing leadership, developing policy, conducting strategic planning, and representing student affairs in various professional activities
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the portfolio of student services in supporting divisional and College-wide goals; oversees data collection, tracking, and reporting systems
• Manages fiscal and human resources; may oversee grant management activities for selected programs
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Title Name: Student Life Director

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Officer

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

$113,982 - $136,546

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 must attach a resume, cover letter, and three professional references (name, title, organization, and contact information).

CLOSING DATE

November 13th, 2025

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

31074

Location

LaGuardia Community College