Job Description for the Assistant/Associate Director, Odyssey Scholars Program position. Review job description, requirements, and qualifications. Apply or register interest for the position.

Title: Assistant/Associate Director, Odyssey Scholars Program

Position Type: Staff Full-Time

Days Per Week: Monday-Friday

Hours Per Week: 40

VP Area: Office of the Provost and Academic Affairs

Department: Center for Access and Success

Location: Elon Main Campus

Position Summary

The Associate Director of the Odyssey Scholars Program plays a critical leadership role in advancing the operational, relational, and developmental core of one of Elon University’s most prestigious equity-based scholarship initiatives. Odyssey Scholars are academically exceptional, purpose-driven, and civically engaged students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds, many of whom are first in their families to attend college.

This role is central to fostering the day-to-day and long-term success of scholars by developing systems that support belonging, academic achievement, post-graduate preparedness, and community impact. Reporting directly to the Faculty Director (with a dotted line to the Executive Director of the Center for Access and Success), the Associate Director leads implementation of a four-year developmental curriculum, may supervise student leaders, staff, and/or a graduate apprentice, and stewards partnerships, budgets, and communication strategies that amplify student voices and outcomes.

Ideal candidates will bring strengths in equity-minded leadership, student development, relationship-building, program design, and measurable outcomes.

Benefits of Working at Elon

As an Elon University employee, you’ll join an internationally acclaimed university with a commitment to fostering a thriving community. Ranked among the most innovative, creative and best-run universities in the nation, Elon’s personal approach to education extends to employees, whose growth, professional development and success is a hallmark of our training and advancement opportunities.

Elon University’s home is the charming town of Elon, North Carolina, a small, friendly community located a short distance from the beach and the mountains, and among the vibrant cities of Greensboro, Raleigh and Durham. In addition to the beautiful canopy of historic oak trees iconic to our campus, you’ll find boundless opportunities for family-friendly recreation, cultural events and outdoor activities. Hiking, water sports, fine dining and entertainment are just a few of the many happenings in the Elon area, making the region one of the nation’s premier travel destinations.

Employees at Elon enjoy a generous and comprehensive benefits package that includes:

28 annual days off, including holidays and vacation.

Immediate tuition remission for undergraduate courses

Tuition remission for approved graduate-level courses after 12 months of employment.

Retirement plan with an 8 percent contribution from the university.

Immediate eligibility for health, dental and vision insurance, along with free acute care and lab services at our onsite Health & Wellness Clinic.

Free use of campus fitness facilities.

Free admission to musical and theater performances, guest speakers, religious and ethnic observances, recitals, art exhibitions, entertainment and our Division I Phoenix athletics.

Eligibility for tuition remission at Elon for spouses, qualifying domestic partners and dependents begins at two years of service. After two years of employment, eligibility begins for participation in the Tuition Exchange, a national scholarship exchange program that enables dependents to enroll in nationally recognized partner colleges and universities.

Elon values and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences and perspectives of our community members. As an equal opportunity employer, Elon’s principles of diversity extend to race and gender identity, age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and other aspects of one’s identity. At Elon, our employees respect human differences, passion for lifelong learning, emphasis on personal integrity and an ethic of service.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

For Appointment as Assistant Director
•Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, educational leadership, or a related field.
•Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in student success, scholarship programs, college access initiatives, or equity-based student support (graduate assistantship experience may be considered where appropriate).
•Demonstrated experience supporting college students through advising, mentoring, programming, case management, or student development work.
•Experience contributing to the implementation of student support initiatives, co-curricular programming, or retention-focused efforts.
•Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills.

For Appointment as Associate Director
•Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, educational leadership, or a related field.
•Minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible professional experience in student success, scholarship programs, college access and success initiatives, or equity-based student support.
•Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and assessing high-impact student support initiatives for underrepresented student populations.
•Experience managing complex programs, coordinating cross-campus partnerships, and supporting strategic planning or program operations.
•Experience supporting, coordinating, or supervising student leaders, staff, and/or graduate students.
•Strong organizational, communication, project management, and relationship-building skills.

Preferred Education and Experience

Preferred for Assistant Director
•Experience working with first-generation, low-income, and/or underrepresented student populations.
•Experience supporting scholarship cohorts, selective student populations, or transition/retention initiatives.
•Familiarity with student information systems, case management tools, or assessment practices.
•Experience planning workshops, retreats, leadership development initiatives, or co-curricular programs.

Preferred for Associate Director
•Experience working with first-generation, low-income, and/or underrepresented student populations, including scholarship or cohort-based programs.
•Experience with program assessment, student tracking systems, and data-informed decision-making.
•Experience developing and sustaining campus and external partnerships that advance student success and post-graduate outcomes.
•Experience with budget stewardship, resource management, grant support, or scholarship program operations.
•Experience providing oversight of peer mentor, student leader, or leadership development models.
•Demonstrated ability to contribute to strategic communication, alumni engagement, and long-term program development.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep understanding of equity, access, and inclusive excellence in higher education.
• Strong interpersonal, coaching, and relationship-building skills with students and colleagues.
• Visionary yet detail-oriented, with strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication (written, verbal, digital) and storytelling abilities.
• Commitment to a team culture centered on care, integrity, innovation, and purpose.

Job Duties

• Student Experience, Engagement, & Scholar Support
  • The Associate Director is the primary architect and driver of the day-to-day student experience for Odyssey Scholars, ensuring each scholar is seen, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential. One-on-One Engagement & Development
  • Build deep, mentoring relationships with scholars through regular one-on-one meetings focused on academic progress, wellness, leadership, and identity development.
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for scholar concerns, proactively identifying barriers and providing responsive referrals to university resources.
  • Lead proactive outreach and support for scholars experiencing challenges related to academics, family issues, transitions, or belonging.
  • Use tools such as success planning documents, e-portfolios, or digital journals to help students reflect on their growth and goals across the college experience.
  • Stay informed of changing policies, challenges, and opportunities for mixed status students to best advise these scholars. • Monitor scholar academic progress and GPA trends while maintaining a broader view of student development, engagement, well-being, and milestone completion.
  • Develop intentional scholar tracking systems that extend beyond grades to capture participation, leadership, career readiness, and progress toward post-graduate goals.
  • Provide responsive support for crisis situations and high-need student concerns, coordinating with campus partners to ensure timely intervention and wraparound care. Community and Program Development.
  • Design, implement, and assess culturally affirming, high-impact initiatives that build community and promote belonging (e.g., retreats, check-ins, engaged learning).
  • Develop systems to track participation and engagement across academic, co-curricular, and wellness domains.
  • Partner with Residence Life, Counseling Services, Academic Advising, SPDC, CREDE etc. and faculty to embed wraparound support services into the Odyssey experience.
  • Ensure continuity of support through critical academic and social transitions: pre-matriculation, first-year adjustment, study abroad, leadership roles, and senior year planning.
  • Support the intentional design of the scholar experience by class year, ensuring programming, developmental milestones, and interventions are strategically aligned to each stage of the four-year Odyssey journey.
  • Oversee and help shape workshops, co-curricular programming, and signature experiences that reinforce belonging, academic excellence, leadership, and post-graduate preparedness. Team Leadership & Program Coordination.
  • May supervise student leaders, professional staff, and/or graduate apprentice(s), providing coaching and accountability for student-centered program delivery as appropriate.
  • Provide leadership in hiring, onboarding, training, and support of seasonal staff or student-facing roles (e.g., summer mentors, retreat leaders, peer mentors) as needed.
  • Foster strong coordination across the Odyssey team to ensure aligned communication, shared accountability, and effective scholar support.
• Curriculum Implementation & Program Strategy
  • Partner with the Faculty Director to translate the Odyssey academic vision into an actionable, sequenced, and outcomes-driven four-year co-curricular curriculum.
  • Lead the planning and delivery of workshops, milestone programming, and seminars focused on leadership, purpose development, and post-graduate readiness etc.
  • Support the integration of high-impact practices such as study abroad, internships, mentored research, and civic engagement etc. into each scholar’s trajectory.
  • Develop scholar-facing tools and communications that clarify expectations and guide participation across each stage of the Odyssey journey.
  • Strategically design and refine the four-year developmental model by class year to ensure scholars experience a coherent, scaffolded progression from transition to graduation and beyond.
  • Provide intentional oversight and strategic design of the Peer Mentor model, including selection, training, role clarity, developmental outcomes, and integration into the broader scholar experience.
  • Expand and coordinate career exposure opportunities, graduate school exploration, and post-graduation readiness efforts in partnership with campus and external stakeholders to strengthen long-term scholar outcomes.
• Partnership & Collaboration Development
  • Build and maintain strategic partnerships with academic departments, student life units, global education, and the Student Professional Development Center to embed Odyssey priorities in campus systems.
  • Collaborate with the Faculty Director and Advancement to develop relationships with alumni, donors, and external partners to expand opportunities and resources.
  • Serve as a key liaison to national and regional partners (e.g., AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, scholarship foundations) to facilitate postgraduate options and recognition.
  • Convene advisory groups or task forces as needed to ensure stakeholder alignment and innovation.
  • Represent the Odyssey Scholars Program and the Center for Access and Success on institutional committees, working groups, and cross-campus initiatives as appropriate.
  • Build and sustain partnerships that increase scholar access to internships, research, career exploration, alumni networks, and post-graduate pathways.
• Storytelling, Communication, & Alumni/Family Engagement
  • Occasionally co-lead Odyssey’s strategic storytelling efforts to celebrate scholar voices and program impact through newsletters, annual reports, videos, and social media campaigns.
  • Partner with University Communications and Advancement to amplify program recognition and support stewardship efforts.
  • Design and deliver family communications and engagement opportunities (e.g., family webinars, in-person events) to build relationships and clarify program support structures.
  • Oversee alumni engagement tracking and design opportunities for alumni to mentor, advise, and inspire current scholars.
  • Help shape and execute a proactive communication strategy that ensures scholars, families, alumni, and campus partners receive timely, clear, and mission-aligned messaging.
  • Cultivate intentional alumni engagement opportunities that connect former scholars to mentoring, networking, storytelling, philanthropy, and post-graduate support efforts.
• Assessment & Continuous Improvement
  • Contribute to a data-informed culture by maintaining accurate student records, tracking program participation, and analyzing trends across cohorts.
  • Co-lead annual assessment and reporting efforts in collaboration with the Faculty Director and Center leadership.
  • Benchmark against national best practices in access and success programming to ensure continuous innovation and relevance.
  • Attend and/or present at professional forums and conferences regionally and nationally as appropriate.
  • Develop and strengthen assessment practices that can scale across cohorts, with attention to student engagement, developmental outcomes, persistence, graduation, and post-graduate success.
  • Use data to inform strategic decision-making, identify patterns of scholar need, and continuously refine program design, interventions, and long-term impact measures.