John Jay College of Criminal Justice

POSITION DETAILS

Founded in 1971 in Long Island City, Queens, LaGuardia Community College is one of seven community colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY). LaGuardia offers more than sixty associate degree programs and more than fifty workforce training, ESOL, GED, and pre-college programs. In 2023, LaGuardia served approximately 24,000 students. More than one-third of LaGuardia’s degree-seeking students are born outside the United States; they come from 136 countries and speak 43 heritage languages. Sixty percent are first-generation college students.

Virtually all LaGuardia students are ethnic minorities (89 percent), 58 percent are women, 27 percent are over the age of 25. Forty-six percent of associate degree students are Hispanic. Upon graduation most students transfer to four-year colleges, typically in CUNY, to complete their baccalaureate degrees. Graduates of career programs such as Nursing, Computer Technology, and Veterinary Technology enter the workforce. LaGuardia ranked fifth among U.S. community colleges in economic mobility – moving low-income students into the middle class and beyond – in studies by Stanford University (2017) and the Brookings Institution (2020). Please visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.

The CUNY Fatherhood Academy (CFA) is a free program designed to promote responsible parenting and foster economic stability for unemployed and underemployed young fathers ages 18-30, through education, employment, and personal development programming and support. The program’s central focus is to help young fathers prepare for and enroll in college or training programs, with the understanding that earning a college degree is the most effective path toward providing long-term economic sustainability for themselves and their families.

The Black Male Empowerment Cooperative (BMEC) at LaGuardia is a part of the CUNY Black Male Initiative. BMEC is a community of students connected to each other and the College through academic support services and mentorship. As a CUNY-wide initiative, CUNY BMI’s mission is to increase, encourage, and support the inclusion and educational success of students from groups that are severely underrepresented in higher education, in particular African, African American/Black, Caribbean and Latino/Hispanic males.

Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, the Student Life Director – CUNY Fatherhood Academy and Black Male Initiative will oversee the day-to-day operations of the department and ensure programmatic and contractual obligations are implemented.

Specific responsibilities of the Director include, but are not limited to:

• Provide visionary and strategic leadership for the unit.
• Oversee efforts to enhance the retention and graduation rates of underrepresented male students.
• Identify resources and strategies to contribute to the successful retention and progression of program participants.
• Ensure that innovative programs and funded activities are designed, implemented, monitored, and evaluated to meet or exceed expected timelines, deliverables, and outcomes.
• Oversee the implementation of systems, and tools to improve communication, efficiency and capacity building for participant engagement and innovative learning experiences.
• Represent the department in public outreach efforts such as interfacing with public and private organizations, developing reports and brochures for distribution, and public speaking.
• Oversee budgetary and operational supports needed to effectively manage educational and advisement initiatives.
• Oversee program activities and formulate program strategy (recruitment and outreach, barrier reduction, job development, retention, career advancement, case management, job readiness training, participation oversight, etc.)
• Outreach to appropriate partners for new program development; ensure timely preparation and maintenance of both internal and externally mandated program reports.
• Engage in continuous program improvement through the analysis of program data.
• Lead strategic planning for the implementation of initiatives that enhance the educational experience for male students enrolled at the institution.
• Enhance efforts that align CFA and BMEC goals with those of the campus.
• Oversee collaboration with campus stakeholders to create holistic support services that benefit the college's male student population.
• Lead the development of partnerships with faculty, staff, and student organizations to facilitate the creation of programs that raise awareness about issues impacting male students, including but not limited to racial equity, mental health, mentoring and career development.
• Provide support for large-scale college-wide events including New Student Orientation, student leadership trainings, Commencement, etc.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree and eight years related experience required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in a relevant field area.
• At least six (6) years of leadership experience developing and managing education, training and/or workforce development programs, pre-college programs, and/or working with young adults or fathers/parents.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, demanding, and complex work environment, with the ability to carry out multiple, complex assignments.
• Ability to take initiative, exercise sound judgement, and adapt to changing situations and priorities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills required.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Directs planning, program development, and administration to support access, retention, multicultural, and other student affairs objectives.

• Develops plans for, and leads a student development services unit which comprises a variety of services and programs
• Collaborates with academic affairs professionals and other in supporting retention and building a comprehensive learning environment that fosters the intellectual, psychological, social, leadership and recreational development of a diverse student population
• Assists senior management in providing leadership, developing policy, conducting strategic planning, and representing student affairs in various professional activities
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the portfolio of student services in supporting divisional and College-wide goals; oversees data collection, tracking, and reporting systems
• Manages fiscal and human resources; may oversee grant management activities for selected programs
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Title Name: Student Life Director

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Officer

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary: $99,279 - $126,333

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID or Title. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.

Candidates must attach a resume, cover letter, and three professional references (name, title, organization, and contact information).

CLOSING DATE

November 16th, 2025

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.