Assistant Director of the Kessler Scholars Program

Job Description:

The Assistant Director of the Kessler Scholars Program serves as a key strategic leader within the Undocumented, First-Generation College and Low-Income (U-FLi) Student Center, playing a critical role in advancing Brown University's commitment to the success, retention, and belonging of first-generation college, low-income, and undocumented students. Reporting to the Director of the U-FLi Center, the Assistant Director holds full day-to-day operational leadership, administration, and implementation authority for the Kessler Scholars Program, a high-touch, multi-year initiative that has expanded from a 20-student pilot into a 4-year cohort program engaging with more than 80 scholars through graduation. 

As Brown’s primary institutional representative and lead administrator for the Kessler Scholars Program, the Assistant Director directs the University’s participation in the Kessler Scholars Collaborative, a network of 16 partner institutions dedicated to increasing the retention and graduation rates of first-generation college students. Supported through a multi-year $1 million grant partnership recently extended through 2029-2030, the Assistant Director ensures grant compliance, manages donor stewardship with the Judy & Fred Wilpon Family Foundation, leads quarterly national check-ins, and presents Brown’s model at national convenings as an exemplar.

The Assistant Director delivers high-touch developmental advising and complex case management for students with high financial, academic, and social-emotional needs. Beyond cohort management, the Assistant Director leverages assessment data to scale high-impact retention practices across the wider U-FLi student body. The role serves as the U-FLi Center’s primary liaison to Academic Advising Deans, Campus Life, and University partners to drive institutional alignment and holistic student support.

Note: This position is term-limited for a period of five (5) years.

Job Qualifications 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required (e.g. Education, American Studies, Ethnic Studies, Sociology); Master’s degree preferred.
• 3 to 5 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education program administration, high-touch developmental advising, complex case management, and grant/budget management.
• Experience working with undocumented, low-income, and first-generation college students in an academic setting. 

 

Job Competencies

• Knowledge of intersectional approaches to student success for undocumented, low-income, and first-generation college students.
• Working knowledge and expertise on issues impacting undocumented communities in the United States.
• Ability to provide high-level, strengths-based developmental advising, individual support planning, and coordinated crisis intervention for high-need student populations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to build effective partnerships across a matrixed university environment (including academic deans, counseling services, financial aid) and external national networks.
• Proven ability to use assessment data to evaluate programs and scale practices across broader student populations.
• Ability to develop and implement programs and initiatives.
• Professional standing and communication skills required to represent the institution to external national networks, donors, and foundation leadership.
• Ability to effectively train, supervise, and mentor student staff and peer mentors, incorporating student development theories into student employment practices.
• Experience training and supervising peer mentor teams using student development frameworks.
• Demonstrated skill in managing multi-year grant funds, maintaining budget oversight, and navigating complex institutional compliance and reporting structures.
• Proficiency in designing internal assessment mechanisms, coordinating large-scale survey administration, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to drive program improvement.
• Knowledge and familiarity with Brown’s educational mission and overall student experience.

Background Check: All offers of employment are contingent upon a successful criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown.

Additional Information: Please submit a resume and cover letter when applying for this position. To learn about benefits at Brown University, visit the Brown University benefits page.

Benefits of Working at Brown:

Please review additional information on the Benefits of Working at Brown.

Recruiting Start Date:

2026-09-24

Job Posting Title:

Assistant Director of the Kessler Scholars Program

Department:

U-FLi Center

Grade:

Grade 10

Worker Type:

Employee

Worker Sub-Type:

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

Position Work Location:

Hybrid

 

Submission Guidelines:

The designated Position Work Location for each position determines the approved modality of work. Positions are classified based on the operational and business needs of the department and may be designated as on-site, hybrid, or remote.

Employees with a designated position work location as remote must reside and perform their work in a state where Brown University is registered to do business. Brown University is a registered employer in the following states: Rhode Island, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington, D.C.

Please note that to be considered for a staff position at Brown University, you must submit a separate application for each position you wish to be considered for. Applications are reviewed only for the specific position to which they are submitted and are not automatically considered for future openings.  

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact employment@brown.edu.

Brown is an E-Verify Employer.

EEO Statement:

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.