The Director of Educational Opportunity and TRIO Programs provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for pre-college and TRIO initiatives within the division. This individual will directly supervise five TRIO Project Directors: Pre-College Upward Bound (PCUB), Math & Science Upward Bound (MSUB), Academic Enrichment Upward Bound (AEUB), Veterans Upward Bound (VUB), Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), as well as two support staff: Business Manager and an Administrative Assistant. The Director ensures programmatic excellence, compliance with federal regulations, and alignment with institutional priorities. This role is pivotal in fostering collaboration among TRIO programs, pre-college initiatives, and other university partners to strengthen the P–12 to post-secondary pipeline.

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The Director of Educational Opportunity and TRIO Programs provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for pre-college and TRIO initiatives within the division. This individual will directly supervise five TRIO Project Directors: Pre-College Upward Bound (PCUB), Math & Science Upward Bound (MSUB), Academic Enrichment Upward Bound (AEUB), Veterans Upward Bound (VUB), Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), as well as two support staff: Business Manager and an Administrative Assistant.

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Required Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in education, counseling, public administration, or related field.
• Experience:
  • At least five years of professional experience in designing, managing, or implementing TRIO or comparable higher education programs.
  • Minimum two years of experience in professional staff supervision, budget management, and program development & assessment.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Exceptional interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills.

  • Ability to support academic success, foster community partnerships, and promote student success.

  • Strong emotional intelligence and judgment.

  • Advanced writing and reporting skills.

  • Ability to manage sensitive situations with diplomacy and professionalism.

  • Ability to multi-task and problem-solve.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Doctorate degree

• Experience:

  • Grant writing and management experience.

  • Strong collaboration and partnership-building skills

  • Significant experience with admissions, enrollment management, and student affairs.

  • Leadership experience in higher education or large-scale community initiatives.

  • Experience working with senior-level K–12 and higher education administrators.

  • Background in securing external funding.

  • Familiarity with federal and state education policy.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Ability to write grants and secure external funding.

  • Knowledge of federal and state education policy.

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR - 15
• Anticipated hiring range: $90,000 - $100,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

Additional Information on all postings provided by UTK

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• Serves as a member of the Vice Chancellor's Leadership Team, working closely with other administrators to support the Division's institutional responsibilities and priorities.
• Oversee and provide leadership for all TRIO and pre-college programs; including supervision of five Project Directors, a Business Manager, and an Administrative Specialist.
• Ensure strict compliance with federal guidelines and institutional policies including writing, executing, and reporting on grants.
• Supervise and develop all staff responsible for pre-college and TRIO programs. Establish clear expectations and evaluate staff performance.
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and professional development opportunities to direct reports.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, service excellence, and continuous learning.
• Complete performance evaluations for five Project Directors, a Business Manager, and an Administrative Specialist.
• Strictly manage the development and execution of the annual budget for the areas of oversight, ensuring compliance with federal grant regulations and responsible allocation of resources.
• Provide a clear and comprehensible vision for each program that aligns with Divisional & University Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Build strong relationships among K-12 school leaders, higher education partners, and business and community organizations.
• Foster and sustain these long-term partnerships to create systemic, sustainable change in educational outcomes.
• Develop and implement strategies to maximize student engagement and success in TRIO programs.
• Contribute to developing overarching strategies and approaches that advance access and engagement for students.
• Coordinate program engagement strategies that elevate the university's visibility and role as a regional education partner.
• Represent the university in regional and statewide forums related to educational attainment, college access, and outreach.
• Advocate for policies and practices that enhance access and student success.
• Develop and maintain systems to track student progress, program participation, student outcomes, and long-term success.
• Analyze program data and institutional enrollment trends to assess impact and identify areas for improvement.
• Undertake special projects or responsibilities at the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor for College Access and the Vice Chancellor for Access and Engagement.