The Director of MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) serves as primary coordinator and overseer of activities funded or sponsored by the MESA program and/or for the benefit of MESA students. The MESA program has as its primary objectives the promotion of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers, STEM education, and STEM programs at WHCC to students who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM related careers. The MESA Director will manage the daily operations and strategic objectives of the program including but not limited to the recruitment of students and facilitating success, persistence, completion, and transfer of those students.

 

The Director of MESA is charged with helping the College achieve these objectives through course/program development, student enrollment and support services, personnel, completion of required reports, and other requirements of the State MESA grant program. Continuation of the MESA Program is contingent upon available funding.

 

• Responsible for the day-to-day management and leadership of the MESA Program.

• Maintains communications between the MESA Program faculty, department heads, MESA student organizations, community organizations, K-12 partners, local advisory boards, statewide agencies, related professional societies, and campus administrators.

• Plans and coordinates all student services for program participants, which includes admission, financial aid scholarships, housing (if applicable), summer programs and jobs, academic, career, and student advising.

• Responsible for ensuring student eligibility, student contractual agreements, and maintaining program records.

• Develops an annual MESA Program Plan, coordinates, and evaluates program activities and accomplishments.

• Participates in MESA training, evaluation of other activities.

• Conducts regular meetings with the Faculty Sponsor, MESA staff, math/science and agriculture division faculty to ensure successful implementation of the program.

• Plan and oversee recruitment/outreach activities to accommodate a disproportionately impacted student population.

• Coordinate college prep and orientation activities, and events for potential and enrolled MESA students, including but not limited to club sponsorship/advising, workshops, university campus visits, transfer fairs, scholarship fairs, resume workshops, award ceremonies, and graduation celebrations.

• Incorporate the use of technology in performing and delivery of computerized presentations, Microsoft Office Suite.

• Plan, organize, and manage the daily activities of the MESA Program; insure all components of the program are in compliance with the MESA grant model.

• Plan, coordinate and facilitate academic excellence workshops each semester and schedule other workshops to be facilitated by faculty and students.

• Provide mentorship, coaching, and support for MESA students.

• Responsible for program monitoring, evaluation, accountability, compiling student records, reporting requirements and budget management, as required by the California Community Colleges Chancellors Office.

• Coordinate and/or supervise all special student services’ related activities including but not limited to academic counseling, field trips, tutoring, speakers, MESA club, transfer activities, and new student orientations.

• Coordinate and schedule MESA activities utilizing the MESA study center and computer room. Consult with faculty, administrators, and college support staff to insure the success of the MESA program by facilitating and implementing program changes and services.

• Work with counselors and others in feeder school districts to promote STEM and STEM in general, especially for students underrepresented in STEM fields

• Attend quarterly statewide directors meetings and maintain active liaison with regional MESA directors.

• Resolve problems and initiate procedures to facilitate the MESA program.

• Assist faculty and others, where appropriate, in the development of Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) and the determination of their effectiveness in helping students achieve their desired learning outcomes. In addition, provide leadership for the development of SLOs within their program areas of responsibility.

• Develop and promote public relations and partnership enhancement activities that heighten public awareness and support for the local MESA program.

• Demonstrate cultural competencies required to work with students from broadly different cultural backgrounds.

• Supervise and evaluate assigned staff.

• Bilingual preferred (but not required).

• Perform related duties as assigned.

 

Knowledge of policy and practices that lead to increased understanding of, sensitivity to and respect for diverse cultural groups, women and the disabled. Modern management techniques and procedures. Principles and practices of administration, supervision and training. Knowledge of record-keeping techniques, district operations, policies and procedures. Oral and written communications. Knowledge of a variety of office machines, including computers and other office equipment and knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and its components. Demonstrated sensitivity to, and understanding of, the diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, and disability backgrounds of community college students. Incorporate the use of technology in performing instructional and non-instructional duties including distance education technologies, on-line class delivery, computerized presentations, and Microsoft Office Suite. Technical aspects of field of specialty. Public relations skills.

 

Ability to teach and model cultural competencies to others. Balance team and individual responsibilities. Exhibit objectivity and openness to others' views. Give and welcome feedback. Contribute to building a positive team spirit and put success of team above own interests. Build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives. Support colleagues' efforts to succeed. Develop project plans; coordinate projects; communicate changes and progress; complete projects on time and budget; manage project team activities. Interpret, apply and enforce pertinent laws, rules and regulations. Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive verbal and statistical reports. Plan, coordinate and supervise staff training programs. Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others. Meet schedules and time lines. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Work and communicate with students of diverse academic, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds including students with disabilities. Write reports and maintain a budget. Tutor students in undergraduate level courses. Demonstrate strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to speak in public and with students, community members, industry professionals, faculty and colleagues.

 

Requires the ability to function in an office environment performing work of primarily a sedentary nature with some requirement to move about campus and to off-campus locales. Requires the ability to use hearing and speech to make presentations to groups and carry on conversations over the phone and in person. Requires near visual acuity to read printed materials and computer screens. Requires sufficient hand/arm/finger dexterity to retrieve work materials and operate standard office equipment.

 

Commitment to diversity, cultural competence, and anti-racism.   All applicants must have demonstrated sensitivity, understanding of, and commitment to the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff. 

 

Bachelor’s degree required. Three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in an equal educational opportunity office involving work with post-secondary students.

 

M.S. degree preferred in Education, Administration, Counselor Education, or related field. Knowledge of collegiate academic and financial assistance programs and procedures.

 

Licenses and Certificates 

Requires a valid driver’s license.

 

West Hills Community College District is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender status, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information or covered veteran's status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.