Community Director, Early College

Description

Our Institution:

Founded in 1860, Bard College is an international network of highly innovative and admired educational institutions grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. Simon’s Rock at Bard College actualizes the simple yet radical idea that many students are ready for college before the age of 18. This idea, first envisioned by Elizabeth Blodgett Hall on the original Simon’s Rock campus in 1966 in Great Barrington, MA, launched the Early College movement in the United States and beyond. Simon’s Rock has carried out this mission for 59 years in Great Barrington, and in July of 2025 is relocating to the Massena campus of Bard College, in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY.

In this new location, Simon’s Rock will have a diverse student population of approximately 180 students, both boarding and day students, drawn nationally and internationally, with a significant population of students identifying as LGBTQIA . This includes enrollment in the Early College Associate in Arts degree program as well as in Bard Academy. Launched in 2015, Bard Academy is a two-year high school program with courses designed and taught by college professors and leading to entry into college after the 10th grade. Students at the Massena campus may enter the Early College either as matriculants from Bard Academy or as students directly admitted to Early College after completing 10th or 11th grade, or the equivalent in homeschooled or non-traditional pathways. 

 

The Role: 

For Simon’s Rock at Bard College, we seek one or more Community Directors for the Early College. These individuals are community-minded, team-oriented, and help develop and foster an inclusive and welcoming campus climate which allows young students to flourish. Applicants must be self-motivated, enthusiastic, organized, and demonstrate good judgment. They should be mature, outgoing, and solution-oriented. Successful candidates should expect to be active participants in this community.

 

This position is a full-time, live-on position with benefits, on-site at the Massena campus of Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY.  Housing is provided. 

 

Duties include:

• Helps to resolve and mediate conflict between students.

• Upholding the standards of conduct as outlined in the Student Handbook.

• Collaborates with student staff, this includes utilizing them in meaningful ways,

meeting with them regularly, evaluating their performance, helping them work

• more effectively, and participating in the selection of new student staff members

• Keeps the Dean of Student Affairs, the Director of Campus Life and Housing, and other administrators apprised, as appropriate, on particular issues, and seeing them through to resolution.

• Communicates and partners with parents to support students.

• Attends regular staff meetings to discuss common residence issues, incidents, follow-up, community concerns, policies, and information of general interest.

• Manages medical and psychological emergencies in conjunction with the wellness team (Medical/Counseling Services).

• Promotes respect for the school’s property; maintains a cooperative working relationship with Buildings and Grounds staff.

• Establishes and posts regular office hours each week 

• Maintains availability and a presence on campus, including attendance at most meals in the Dining Hall 

 

• Planning events and activities for student support and engagement 

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Associates degree 

• A minimum of 1 year of experience working with adolescents

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree 

• Experience with an Early College program

• Experience with an independent school and/or liberal arts college

 

Compensation: $57,800 to $62,800  

 

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