Job Details

The Division of Student Affairs at Eastern Washington University (EWU) is pleased to announce a newly created leadership role focused on influencing positive student outcomes and increasing student success, persistence and retention through comprehensive first-year initiatives. The Senior Director position will be pivotal in shaping the strategic direction of Orientation and Family Programs, Welcome Week, the First Year Seminar and other programs. This is an exciting opportunity for an innovative leader passionate about shaping student transition programming and advancing the institution's mission centered on inclusive, equitable and transformative learning experiences, driving the pursuit of knowledge with affordable academic excellence and student success practices.

The Senior Director of Eagles First Year will serve as the liaison between Student Affairs and Academic Affairs in the design and management of the first-year experience at EWU. This vital part of the student experience and onboarding will ensure retention and progression to the second year and beyond. This team member provides dedicated programming, structure, and direction to pivotal stages of student transition.

The Senior Director of Eagles First Year serves as a member of the Student Affairs Thought Leadership Group (TLG) and reports to the Associate Vice President for Campus Life. The Senior Director is responsible for the development, planning and implementation of a high profile, dynamic, comprehensive student-centered first year experience program for new students and their families. The Senior Director designs, implements and coordinates university efforts aimed at strengthening the academic, personal and social success of undergraduate students and their families. This leader will leverage their work, and that of their team, to support and enhance student engagement and facilitate student persistence and success ultimately leading to increased student retention.

The Senior Director collaborates with Student Affairs departments, a broad array of Academic Affairs administrative units including Admissions, Advising, Records and Registration, and academic college leadership to develop programs and services that provide students a seamless transition to the University and promote student engagement, success, and retention. The Senior Director supervises the Director of Orientation and Family Programs.

The Senior Director will be responsible for using their experience, political acumen and understanding of the organizational processes of the institution in leading the re-envisioning, development, implementation and operation of a for-credit college success-focused first-year seminar designed to support first-year college students in their transition. The Senior Director will oversee curriculum development, instructor recruitment and training, and course delivery of the first-year seminar.

EWU is committed to supporting and promoting a diverse workforce and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for this position.

The salary for this position is $80,631(minimum) up to $90,000. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills. In addition to salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays per year and fringe benefits, such as tuition waiver for employees and eligible family members, discounted EWU sports tickets, full access to our campus workout facilities at a minimum fee and free transportation through STA buses. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: .

Eastern Washington University provides an inclusive, equitable, and transformative learning experience, driving the pursuit of knowledge with affordable academic excellence.

Eastern Washington University, a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students, is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. As the region's polytechnic, we are recognized for our distinctive approach to hands-on learning that leads to in-demand careers. EWU's 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Washington's second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the innovative, energy-efficient Catalyst building, the SIERR building which is a hub for research, development and advancement of health sciences, and at Riverpoint, a campus shared with Washington State University. In addition, EWU programs can be found at select locations throughout the state, aligned with the needs of the community. Eastern contributes to the vitality of the region and the state through its wide array of bachelor's and master's degrees in over 100 fields of study, as well as applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership, offering accessible pathways to career success and personal development to students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Eastern Washington University has been recognized for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a nationally trusted resource guide for college-bound students. The honor recognizes Eastern as a '24-'25 College of Distinction (CoD).

Money magazine recently named EWU as one of its Best Colleges in America 2024.

Tribal Land Acknowledgement
Eastern Washington University resides within the traditional homelands of the Spokane People and other tribes who are connected through their shared history of this region. This land holds their cultural DNA and it is their Ancestors who are here and bring forth the knowledge of this place—the knowledge that comes from the land.

EWU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws.

This position, during the course of university employment will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value, as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.

All new employees must comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR before beginning work at EWU. Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.
This is an Administrative Exempt position and is covered by EWU Policy 406- 01, Exempt Employment: After starting employment, employees will complete required training. Online training can be accessed at or complete the training in person or via Zoom. In person and Zoom training opportunities will be posted on InsideEWU and are listed on our Human Resources site:
Note: Interviews might be conducted via Zoom (camera must be enabled). If so, candidates must be able to demonstrate competence using Zoom and other technologies.

Contact Patti Hill in Human Resource Services at ...@ewu.edu to obtain a copy of the Essential Functions Analysis which will describe conditions of employment, such as physical demands.