APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

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POSITION SPECIFICS​

Penn State University seeks an experienced and visionary leader to serve as the Director of the Office of Student Care and Advocacy (SCA) within Student Affairs, reporting to the Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students. The Director will provide strategic leadership and oversight of programs and services designed to support student success, with a particular focus on students navigating complex personal, academic, and financial challenges.

The Director will lead a dynamic team dedicated to the four branches of SCA: care coordination, basic needs support, respondent support, and off-campus student support. The Director will foster strong partnerships across the Commonwealth to create a coordinated, compassionate, and effective student care network and will be instrumental in advancing a culture of holistic care and empowerment at Penn State.

This position requires the successful candidate, while on call, to be able to report to campus within 30 minutes in the event of an emergency.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Provide leadership and direction for the Student Care and Advocacy unit, aligning programs and services with institutional priorities for student success and well-being
• Provide advisement and support to the Student Affairs units at the Commonwealth Campuses and chair the case management community of practice
• Develop and implement a comprehensive vision for student care and advocacy services, including crisis response, basic needs support and services, and advocacy initiatives
• Serve as an advisor to university leadership on matters related to student care, crisis intervention, and basic needs support

Program Oversight and Management

• Supervise a team that includes a Senior Associate Director, Associate Director, two Assistant Directors, four Case Managers, an Administrative Assistant, and various part-time student employees or interns at University Park
• Oversee operations of student case management, including assessment, intervention, and follow-up for students experiencing significant challenges
• Provide direct case management for complex or high-need situations, using sound judgment and advanced problem-solving skills
• Supervise the chair of the Universi