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Assistant Director of Transition Programs & Initiatives

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Full-time
On-site
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville United States of America

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Closing Date:

10/16/2025


Type of Position:

Student Activities and Engagement


Workstudy Position:

No


Job Type:

Fixed Duration of Project/Grant (Fixed Term)


Work Shift:


Sponsorship Available:

No


Institution Name:

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process, please submit a request via the Disability Accommodations | OEOC | University of Arkansas (uark.edu) : Request an Accommodation. Appli­cants are required to submit a request for each position of which they have applied.

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 479.575.5351.


Department:

New Students and Family Programs


Department's Website:


Summary of Job Duties:

The Assistant Director of Transition Programs & Initiatives (TPI) plays a pivotal role in advancing the success and engagement of sophomore and junior students at the University of Arkansas. This position leads the design, coordination, and assessment of programs that foster holistic growth—academic, personal, and social—during these critical middle years of the college experience.

The Assistant Director identifies emerging needs and trends among students and develops responsive programming that supports retention, belonging, and achievement. Working collaboratively with campus partners, faculty, and staff, the position delivers high-impact initiatives that strengthen students’ connection to the university and prepare them for continued academic and career success.

Additionally, the Assistant Director contributes to departmental efforts that advance class-year initiatives, First-Generation student success programming, A-Week, Welcome Weeks, and other TPI signature events that promote community building and institutional pride.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential function of this role, as is the ability to build and maintain collaborative, respectful working relationships across the university community.


Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Student Affairs, Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Social Work, or a closely related field

  • At least one year of professional experience (including graduate assistantships) in college orientation, transition, or retention programming

  • Demonstrated experience planning and implementing programs that support undergraduate student success

Applicable equivalencies may be considered for the above qualifications.

  • Experience recruiting and supervising undergraduate student leaders in paid or volunteer roles

Preferred Qualifications:

  • At least two years of progressively responsible experience in higher education/student affairs at the coordinator, assistant director, or similar level

  • Direct experience developing, implementing, and assessing transition programs for sophomore/junior students

  • Experience fostering partnerships with academic departments, student organizations, campus offices, and external stakeholders to extend the reach and effectiveness of programming

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs):

  • Knowledge of time management and organizational practices

  • Knowledge of event and program planning, assessment, and evaluation

  • Skills to prioritize multiple projects simultaneously

  • Skills to interpret student engagement, retention, and achievement data and the

  • Skills to design, implement, and improve initiatives

  • Ability to apply problem-solving techniques in a fast-paced, student-focused environment

  • Ability to apply theoretical frameworks and research findings to strengthen programs, manage logistics, and support the unique needs and success of sophomore and junior students


Additional Information:

This position is renewable annually based on continued need for the position, availability of funding, and satisfactory job performance.


Salary Information:

$56,123


Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of five Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status


Recruitment Contact Information:

Jerrod O. Lockhart, Director
jerrodl@uark.edu


All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.


Special Instructions to Applicants:


Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.


Constant Physical Activity:

N/A


Frequent Physical Activity:

N/A


Occasional Physical Activity:

N/A


Benefits Eligible:

Yes