UW Robinson Center for Young Scholars

The Undergraduate Academic Affairs has an outstanding opportunity for a EEP & Academy Director to join their team.

Undergraduate Academic Affairs (UAA) shapes, advances, and stewards a world-class undergraduate academic experience for students at the University of Washington. Staff, faculty and students in UAA deepen and enrich the learning experience for all undergraduates, recognizing and supporting the unique learning path of each individual student and the commitment of each academic program to excellence in learning and teaching.

The Halbert and Nancy Robinson Center for Young Scholars (RC) at the University of Washington is a leader in the nation for developing programs that serve highly capable young pre-college and college students. Through access to early entrance programming, the RC prepares younger students for college, providing them with challenging and accelerated learning opportunities in a vibrant, intellectual community setting. The RC provides outreach through summer and Saturday student enrichment, educator professional learning, and online engagement opportunities

The Director of the Early Entrance Program (EEP) and UW Academy (Academy) is a member of the Robinson Center’s Leadership team and is involved in developing strategy for the Center as a whole. The Director will serve as an adviser to the Robinson Center’s Executive Director on daily operations, program policy, program and curriculum development, program recruitment and admissions processes, and scholarship award processes.

The EEP/Acad Director’s primary role includes staff supervision, program and curriculum development, and Academy budget oversight. The Director oversees and directs all advising services for students in both programs and works with the Principal of the Transition School (TS) on college preparation for TS students as they transition into the EEP cohort. The Director oversees the resources and staff associated with these programs as well as develops academic support goals and curriculum that highlights and maximizes the academic experience for RC students.

POSITION COMPLEXITIES

The position bears primary responsibility for leading the Early Entrance Program (EEP) and UW Academy. Most students enrolled in these programs will be minors for the first two years of their enrollment, which adds an additional layer of complexity to the program. The position must work with the UW Office of Youth Protection and Washington’s OSPI and K-12 officials to ensure the program is meeting its responsibilities as an alternative placement for Washington high school students, as stated in Washington legislative code. The position hires, trains, supervises, provides professional development for, and evaluates the EEP and Academy staff. This position, in collaboration with the Robinson Center Executive Director, will assess the admissions process, and will work with the Outreach team to implement recruitment and outreach strategies and materials, with a particular emphasis on equity. The position oversees all programming that supports incoming students to successfully matriculate into an academic major to pursue their undergraduate degree at the university. The position is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with coordinators of highly capable education programs, high school counselors, and community leaders throughout the Puget Sound area to identify and recruit prospective students for the UW Academy. The position oversees parent programming for parents of first year students to help parents support their students’ success.

POSITION DIMENSIONS AND IMPACT TO THE UNIVERSITY

This position provides significant impact to the work of the Robinson Center and the wider University by directly supporting the students within a cohort model for academically advanced and accelerated school-aged students. Upon successful advancement from Transition School to the Early Entrance Program, the Robinson Center will bring forth annually a cohort of 15-30 exceptional students into the UW student body through the Early Entrance Program. UW Academy currently supports 2 cohorts of approximately 40 students each on an annual basis. RC students frequently participate in undergraduate research, the interdisciplinary honors program, and other scholarly and community-service pursuits.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Robinson Center,  EEP and ACAD OPERATIONS (35%)

  • As a member of the RC leadership team, collaborate with the Executive director and other directors to help advance Center-wide strategic planning, partnership development, outreach, budget planning, and policy development and implementation efforts.
  • Oversees the daily administration of the RC’s Early Entrance Program (EEP) and UW Academy (Academy) including:
    o hires, supervises, and oversees RC EEP and Academy student services staff members including relevant personnel decisions involving staffing, dismissals, disciplinary action, performance reviews, and staff professional development;
    o reviews programs and recommends changes, including new program policies and practices;
    o develops and establishes policies and procedures to implement new activities;
    o works with the RC Executive Director to develop and implement program evaluations; and
    o prepares and maintains administrative reports and records from a variety of sources.
  • Represents the RC EEP and Academy to internal and external partners and stakeholders including:
    o acting as liaison for EEP/Academy with the Honors Program; Undergraduate, Academic Affairs (UAA), Undergraduate Advising, Counseling Center, Financial Aid, Scholarships, Housing, and University Advancement;
    o in daily business, at staff or college meetings;
    o participating in and presenting about RC early entrance programs at professional conferences; and
    o at meetings with the general public.
  • In collaboration with the RC Executive Director and Financial Manager, is responsible for the fiscal management of UW Academy Budget with such duties as:
    o develops and maintains an operating budget based on WADOE OSPI annual funding;
    o establishes and maintains a clear understanding of revenue sources, fund use, tracking and reporting systems;
    o oversees purchasing, reconciliation, and decisions related to the UW Academy budget;
    o works with RC Executive Director and Leadership Team to develop criteria and make decisions for financial assistance and awards for students; and
    o ensures that the Director of Enrichment and/or professional development coordinator has the necessary resources and expertise to lead professional learning and programming for EEP and UW Academy staff/personnel.
  • Attend all staff meetings.

    Program and Curriculum Development (20%)

  • Develops new contacts and maintain ongoing connections with coordinators of highly capable education programs, high school counselors, and community leaders throughout the Puget Sound area to identify and recruit prospective students for the UW Academy.
  • Refines and implements recruitment and outreach strategies and materials, with a particular emphasis on equity.
  • Oversees parent programming for the EEP and Academy, including annual orientation for parents of first year students; quarterly check-in events for parents of first year students; and meeting with parents of current students as needed individually and in groups.
  • Oversees annual events and classes such as the UW Academy Picnic, Bridge Workshops, fall quarter Bridge Classes, parent/student orientations, quarterly check-ins, and information sessions.
  • Developing, overseeing and co-teaching all transition/support courses for EEP and Academy students.
  • In collaboration with Director of Strategy and Operations, works with and support RC student groups and student initiatives (e.g., student advisory committees, student drama society, student mentors, etc.).

    Admissions (20%)

  • Coordinates the admissions process for the UW Academy, including:
    o meeting with prospective students and their families;
    o hosting community information sessions;
    o follow-up with teachers and counselors on applicants’ references; and
    o developing and evaluating admissions materials and processes.
  • Coordinates the activities of the Admissions Team comprised of Robinson Center and UAA staff.
  • Develops and implements logistics (Academy Decision Days) to help admitted students and families to decide on an admission offer.

    Advising (15%)

  • Oversees RC advising and student support staff to review students’ academic plans, set academic goals, and provide referrals to relevant UW programs.
  • Collaborates with advisers in other departments to facilitate student admission into and planning for program requirements, such as Honors, Engineering, Allen School, etc.
  • Troubleshoot complex issues related to RC students as they arise.

    Scholarship (5%)

  • Administer scholarships for EEP and Academy students by confirming funds, developing application materials, soliciting applicants, managing review committees and awarding funds to students.

    Contribute to the functioning of the Robinson Center and Undergraduate Academic Affairs (5%)

  • Participates in RC, UAA, and UW and/or community-based initiatives, special projects as needed.
  • Actively collaborates with other RC programs to advance the goals of the Center.
  • Acts as a RC ambassador and advocate, within the public and private sectors, for issues relevant to the school, its cause, and its constituencies.
  • Encourages the integration of EEP/Acad within the greater community by using effective communication and public relations to assure proper representation of the Academy and RCYS
  • Listens to stakeholders, donors and the community to improve services and generate community involvement; assures community awareness of the school’s response to community needs.

    Lead Responsibilities:
    This position has direct management of the EEP and UW Academy to include recruitment and admissions processes, academic advising, and transitional and academic support programs. The position works closely with the Principal of the Transition School, to ensure a smooth process for students graduating from Transition School into the EEP and oversees the Bridge Program to support students in their first two years at the university.

    Supervisory Responsibilities: 
    The position supervises, directs the work, reviews work assignments, and provides performance reviews, professional development, and corrective action to a staff of 2 Counseling Services Coordinators, 1 Academic Counselor Lead, and various Student Assistants.

    MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

  • Master’s degree in education, administration, counseling or equivalent degree
  • Three years working experience in student services administration at the secondary and/or University level.

    Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

    ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Ability to develop working relationships with a diverse array of community members and other constituents.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
  • Experience supervising staff and managing program resources.
  • Ability to work autonomously and as a team member.

    DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • PsyD or PhD, in School Counseling, Educational Psychology, Gifted Education, or related field of study
  • Certifications and/or endorsements in counseling, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Gifted and Talented Education (GT/HC), or similar certification
  • Experience in SEL (social emotional learning) and/or GATE (gifted and talented education) curriculum development
  • Demonstrated ability to advise, counsel and mentor high achieving young students and to work effectively with their parents/guardians.
  • Demonstrated success working with diverse communities, including highly capable, twice-exceptional and neurodiverse students.
  • Experience teaching or working with students engaged in Early Entrance Program (EEP), dual-enrollment, joint enrollment, and/or at the college/university setting.
  • Familiarity with highly capable programs in Washington State.
  • Knowledge of University student systems