Department
THRIVE
Job Summary
As a leading liberal arts college Bowdoin believes that if you give students access to the best education they will use if for the common good. In that spirit of uncommon dedication to that goal Bowdoin College invites applications for the Director of THRIVE. With a generous gift from Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings ’83, Bowdoin created THRIVE a range of academic, social and community-based programing to help students in their transition to college. The academic advising, mentoring and leadership development at the heart of THRIVE is seen through the unique programming it oversees and the partnerships it creates on campus. THRIVE relies on both internal to Bowdoin and external expertise to create innovative curricular and pedagogical approaches designed to foster a sense of belonging among and supports for students who are first generation to college and/or may have attended economically under resourced high schools.
The Director reports to the Senior Vice President for Inclusion and Diversity and collaborates often with senior leaders in Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Admissions and Student Aid on a variety of initiatives and institutional goals. The THRIVE team includes an Associate Director, Assistant Director, THRIVE Success Manager as well as a Program Coordinator. THRIVE currently comprises five programs and partners with key faculty and offices on campus to ensure a smooth transition to college in academic success as student acclimate to Bowdoin. THRIVE has programming available for all first generation to college students at Bowdoin and works to create support for their individual efforts leading to the accomplishment of their personal and academic goals.
Duties and Expectations
- Provide strategic planning and vision for THRIVE by supporting and empowering THRIVE staff and engaging THRIVE students in both one on one and in group settings.
- Oversee all aspects of the THRIVE Summer Institute for the Geoffrey Canada Scholars (GCS) including recruiting and selecting the cohort, planning the Summer Institute and assisting with the evaluation plan of the Summer Institute in addition to being physically present for all parts of the Summer Institute to assist with the day-today management of the program.
- A thorough and collaborative examination of the current THRIVE practices and policies.
- Engage with leaders of similar programs at other colleges and universities to learn, share best practices, and explore opportunities for collaboration
- Deepen relationships with colleagues across Academic and Student Affairs while exploring existing THRIVE programs while pursuing new programming opportunities.
- Consult with Institutional Research, Analytics, and Consulting to develop, administer, interpret and communicate quantitative and qualitative program assessments.
- Facilitate student leadership development
- Create high quality and sustained social and academic programming for all first generation to college students at Bowdoin.
- Evaluate and streamline department operations and workflow.
Education/Skills Requirements
Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree and/or Ph.D. preferred
Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents
A willingness to be dedicated to enabling students, regardless of background or life experience, to make full use of their potential and possess the vision and energy to help shape the future of the institution. The successful candidate will have many of the following:
- A relentless commitment to making higher education accessible and manageable for all students; a dedication to helping students from underrepresented groups and first-generation students achieve success.
- A commitment to the needs of THRIVE students, and a track record of individual action and institutional leadership to promote equitable opportunities .
- Highly developed listening and influencing skills, and a passion for communicating the vision and mission of the work.
- Experience working with students needing academic support; knowledge and understanding of academic support and pedagogical best practices pertaining tounderrepresented and first-generation students.
Standard Work Days and Hours
This is an exempt position (1.0 FTE) requiring the time commitment necessary to complete the job requirements. Hours are primarily Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Frequent evening and weekend duties. Position is on-campus in Brunswick, ME.
The anticipated start date for candidate selected will be on or after July 1, 2025.
COMPENSATION
- The hiring range for this position is expected to be: $90,000 – 103,000.
BENEFITS AND PERKS
Special Instructions to Applicant
If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.
About Bowdoin
Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.
We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.
Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.
Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.
Employment Category
Full Time Year Round
Open Until Filled
No
FTE
1.00
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Pay Type
Salaried
Type of Posting
Internal/External
EEO Information
Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.
