The Director of the LibertyLIFE program provides leadership for the development, launch, ongoing management, and growth of a comprehensive postsecondary program serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. This role is responsible for building the program from the ground up, establishing its vision, structure, staffing, curriculum, and support systems.

The Director will mobilize university-wide resources, recruit, build, and train a mission-focused team, develop integrated academic, vocational, independent living, and spiritual formation components, and cultivate employment and community partnerships. The Director ensures appropriate assisted living supports, campus integration, and compliance with applicable legal, accreditation, and risk-management requirements, while fostering a culture that reflects Liberty’s Christian mission and commitment to student flourishing.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Program Conceptualization and Implementation

• Lead evidence-informed design of a holistic postsecondary model for students with intellectual disabilities, drawing on best practices from successful programs with integrated functional academics, independent living, and employment preparation.
• Establish the LibertyLIFE program structure including pathways, credential outcomes, progression criteria, application processes, and admissions requirements. Ensure alignment with institutional mission, goals, and compliance frameworks.
• Develop program mission, vision, strategic plan, key performance indicators, and benchmarks informed by research and field standards.
• Design and implement a phased program launch strategy, including pilot cohorts, enrollment caps, staffing thresholds, and readiness benchmarks.
• Evaluate program capacity and institutional readiness to inform recommendations for enrollment growth, program expansion, or modification.
• Ensure that scaling decisions prioritize student safety, program quality, staff sustainability, and institutional risk management.
• Admissions, Eligibility, and Student Continuation
  • Develop and oversee admissions standards,
  • eligibility criteria, and
  • application review processes to ensure appropriate student fit, safety, and program readiness.
• Establish clear expectations for student participation, progression, and conduct, including criteria for continuation, probation, suspension, or program exit when academic, behavioral, medical, or safety thresholds are not met.
• Design and implement family and student agreements outlining scope of services, levels of support, institutional responsibilities, and shared accountability for student success and safety.

2. Program Governance and Authority

• Provide executive leadership and decision-making authority for all aspects of the LibertyLIFE program, including:
  • admissions recommendations,
  • curriculum design,
  • student progression standards,
  • staffing, and
  • operational policies
• Serve as the primary institutional authority for LibertyLIFE, empowered to establish program policies and procedures in alignment with university standards and risk management frameworks.
  Establish and chair an internal cross-divisional steering committee to coordinate LibertyLIFE operations across Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Housing, Health Services, Campus Safety, and Risk Management.

2. Academic and Functional Curriculum Development

• Design curriculum that integrates functional academics (e.g., budgeting, literacy, employment skills), self-advocacy, social/leisure skills, self-care, and health/wellness learning pathways.
• Coordinate with academic units to offer inclusive access to regular university courses alongside specialized instruction.
• Integrate instructional strategies that support student engagement and measurable outcomes, leveraging faculty and qualified instructors.

3. Residential and Independent Living Infrastructure

• Develop policies and systems for structured residential and independent living environments through the establishment of supervision ratios, independent living assistants, community-based experiences.
• Ensure students learn and apply daily living skills (e.g., transportation, time management, routine planning, meal preparation).
• Facilitate intentional progression toward increased independence through scaffolding supports.

4. Student Support Systems and Integration

• Build comprehensive student support systems including counseling, peer mentoring, and coordinated case management to support holistic well-being.
• Implement peer mentor programs to support academic, social, and cultural integration within the broader campus community.
• Structure opportuni