Edtech.com's Summary

Columbia University is hiring an Assistant Director for the Freedom and Citizenship Program. This role involves managing all aspects of the program, including budget and grant administration, curriculum development, staff hiring and training, student admissions, directing the summer residential program, and overseeing college mentorship to prepare low-income, first-generation high school students for active citizenship.

Highlights

Manage and coordinate the Freedom & Citizenship Program within the Center for American Studies.
Administer program budgets, grants, and endowments, ensuring compliance and reporting.
Develop and maintain program curricula and supervise faculty, staff, and student workers.
Recruit and admit up to 45 students annually from low-income and under-resourced backgrounds.
Direct the annual four-week residential summer program and oversee student well-being and logistics.
Oversee college access support, mentorship programs, and alumni engagement activities.
Experience with PeopleSoft or similar HRIS, Finance software, Microsoft Office, and relational databases required.
Minimum qualifications include a bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience; preferred qualifications include an advanced degree and experience in humanities and civic engagement education.
Strong communication, organizational, and multi-tasking skills necessary.
Salary range is $82,000 to $87,500 annually.

Assistant Director, Freedom and Citizenship Program Full Description

Job Type: Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Hours Per Week: 35
Salary Range: $82,000 - $87,500

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

A strong internal candidate has been identified for this position; however, we are still accepting applications from other qualified candidates.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Faculty Director and Assistant Director of the Center for American Studies, the Assistant Director of Freedom and Citizenship manages the Freedom & Citizenship Program in the Center for American Studies. Since 2009, Freedom & Citizenship has provided low-income, first-generation college-bound New York City high school students with an introduction to college-level work in the humanities and helped to prepare them for lives of active citizenship. The Assistant Director of Freedom & Citizenship coordinates all aspects of the program, including budget and grant administration, curriculum development, staff hiring and training, student admissions, directing the four-week residential summer program, and supervising college mentorship. Freedom & Citizenship is the flagship of the Knowledge for Freedom national network of programs, built on the Columbia model, which is essential to the civic education mission of the Center for American Studies.

The Center for American Studies at Columbia serves as an interdisciplinary hub committed to civic engagement, offering a seminar-based, flexible curriculum that prepares students for active citizenship. The program draws on expertise from Columbia’s many departments and institutes to explore the full span of American history, politics, and cultural expression—from the 17th century to the present. Beyond the classroom, students benefit from being in New York City through partnerships with community organizations, such as the Roger Lehecka Double Discovery Center and the Freedom & Citizenship Program, and by interacting with leading thinkers, artists, and public figures. Graduates go on to diverse careers—journalism, teaching, media and the arts, law, museums, and more—armed with both a broad understanding of foundational texts and deep specialization in areas of their choosing.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Administration

Under the leadership of the Director of the Center for American Studies, participate in strategic planning, program development, and fundraising. Work closely with the Office of Development to implement fundraising strategies. Develop relationships with major donors to foster continued support.
Set up and administer endowments (currently at $2.7 million) and annual grants (currently at $150,000 per year). Work closely with the Sponsored Projects Administration and the Office of Development to ensure compliant spending of grants and gifts.
Working closely with the Assistant Director of CAS, manage budgets in accordance with yearly plans, including purchasing instructional supplies and coordinating staff reimbursements.
Monitor and report on the program’s finances, including preparing budget documents for meetings of the Board of Visitors of the Center for American Studies and annual reports for major donors and foundations.
Create, curate, and maintain public-facing content about the program, including website, social media, and printed material. Support the Faculty Director and the Office of Communications and Public Affairs in generating media attention for the program.

Student Programming

Direct the annual four-week residential summer program of Freedom and Citizenship every July. Responsible for the well-being and care of 45 students as well as coordinating with University Conference Housing, Public Safety, Events Management, Libraries, Dodge Gymnasium, and other offices at Columbia to secure student access for a successful summer program.
Recruit, train, lead, and supervise approximately thirty part-time and seasonal staff, including faculty, graduate student coordinators, and undergraduate tutors. Manage the hiring and onboarding of all seasonal staff. Develop and revise program curricula, train, and support teachers in their implementation.
Observe the daily tutorials during the summer, and bi-monthly civic lessons during the academic year, providing written and/or oral feedback. Delegate tasks to work-study and student casual workers when appropriate.
Recruit an annual cohort of up to 45 academically motivated students from low-income families and under-resourced schools through outreach activities such as in-school presentations, panels, classroom visits, and partnerships with community organizations and schools.
Oversee the application and admissions process, ensuring timely collection of required forms and coordination with campus offices for student registration and health clearance. Manage all aspects of student participation to ensure successful program completion and administer stipend payments upon graduation.
Oversee the day-to-day operations of summer and academic programming. Primary approval of timesheets. Serve as the primary coordinator for regular faculty, guest speakers, and special events.
Oversee the college access support for 45 students with the assistance of a program coordinator. Train, lead, and supervise undergraduate paid mentors and volunteers. Partner with community-based organizations and school counselors to support student efforts and coordinate the submission of letters of recommendation for college and scholarships.
Manage the after-school civic leadership programming.
Direct alumni-related programming, including the annual Civic Leadership Summit, career day, and reunion.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least three years of substantive related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree and experience teaching in Columbia’s Core (Literature, Humanities, or Contemporary Civilization).
Substantive coursework, research, or teaching experience in the humanities, especially related to political philosophy and/or civic engagement.
Experience writing and administering grants and endowments, including budget management.
Knowledge of the academic needs of low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students and familiarity with working with such students.

Other Requirements

Experience leading and managing an educational program or residential summer camp.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to maintain high confidentiality and professionalism with a client focus.
Strong multi-tasking, prioritization, and organization skills.
Attention to detail, research, critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Self-starter, a fast learner who can work independently under limited supervision.
Work well in an interactive team environment.
Working knowledge of PeopleSoft or similar enterprise HRIS, Finance, Microsoft Office, and relational databases.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

Original Job Description

Job Type: Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Hours Per Week: 35
Salary Range: $82,000 - $87,500

A strong internal candidate has been identified for this position; however, we are still accepting applications from other qualified candidates.

Position Summary

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Administration

Under the leadership of the Director of the Center for American Studies, participate in strategic planning, program development, and fundraising. Work closely with the Office of Development to implement fundraising strategies. Develop relationships with major donors to foster continued support.
Set up and administer endowments (currently at $2.7 million) and annual grants (currently at $150,000 per year). Work closely with the Sponsored Projects Administration and the Office of Development to ensure compliant spending of grants and gifts.
Working closely with the Assistant Director of CAS, manage budgets in accordance with yearly plans, including purchasing instructional supplies and coordinating staff reimbursements.
Monitor and report on the program’s finances, including preparing budget documents for meetings of the Board of Visitors of the Center for American Studies and annual reports for major donors and foundations.
Create, curate, and maintain public-facing content about the program, including website, social media, and printed material. Support the Faculty Director and the Office of Communications and Public Affairs in generating media attention for the program.

Student Programming

Direct the annual four-week residential summer program of Freedom and Citizenship every July. Responsible for the well-being and care of 45 students as well as coordinating with University Conference Housing, Public Safety, Events Management, Libraries, Dodge Gymnasium, and other offices at Columbia to secure student access for a successful summer program.
Recruit, train, lead, and supervise approximately thirty part-time and seasonal staff, including faculty, graduate student coordinators, and undergraduate tutors. Manage the hiring and onboarding of all seasonal staff. Develop and revise program curricula, train, and support teachers in their implementation.
Observe the daily tutorials during the summer, and bi-monthly civic lessons during the academic year, providing written and/or oral feedback. Delegate tasks to work-study and student casual workers when appropriate.
Recruit an annual cohort of up to 45 academically motivated students from low-income families and under-resourced schools through outreach activities such as in-school presentations, panels, classroom visits, and partnerships with community organizations and schools.
Oversee the application and admissions process, ensuring timely collection of required forms and coordination with campus offices for student registration and health clearance. Manage all aspects of student participation to ensure successful program completion and administer stipend payments upon graduation.
Oversee the day-to-day operations of summer and academic programming. Primary approval of timesheets. Serve as the primary coordinator for regular faculty, guest speakers, and special events.
Oversee the college access support for 45 students with the assistance of a program coordinator. Train, lead, and supervise undergraduate paid mentors and volunteers. Partner with community-based organizations and school counselors to support student efforts and coordinate the submission of letters of recommendation for college and scholarships.
Manage the after-school civic leadership programming.
Direct alumni-related programming, including the annual Civic Leadership Summit, career day, and reunion.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least three years of substantive related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree and experience teaching in Columbia’s Core (Literature, Humanities, or Contemporary Civilization).
Substantive coursework, research, or teaching experience in the humanities, especially related to political philosophy and/or civic engagement.
Experience writing and administering grants and endowments, including budget management.
Knowledge of the academic needs of low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students and familiarity with working with such students.

Other Requirements

Experience leading and managing an educational program or residential summer camp.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to maintain high confidentiality and professionalism with a client focus.
Strong multi-tasking, prioritization, and organization skills.
Attention to detail, research, critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Self-starter, a fast learner who can work independently under limited supervision.
Work well in an interactive team environment.
Working knowledge of PeopleSoft or similar enterprise HRIS, Finance, Microsoft Office, and relational databases.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

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Assistant Director, Freedom and Citizenship Program

Edtech.com's Summary

Assistant Director, Freedom and Citizenship Program Full Description

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