Assistant to the Dean for Program Development

The Assistant to the Dean for Program Development will serve as a key partner to the Dean of the School of Education, with primary responsibility for the oversight, growth, and operational coordination of non-academic initiatives. Approximately 50% of this position will focus on supporting language learning and academic preparation efforts for multilingual and international ESL students, including collaboration across departments to enhance student readiness and success. Additionally, the incumbent will lead institutional grant writing efforts, assist in planning and launching a mental health counseling clinic and an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) center, and design the School of Education’s extended professional and community-based learning programs. This is a one-year appointment; extension will be contingent upon demonstrated success in student engagement, enrollment growth, and overall program development outcomes. The successful candidate will ensure that all initiatives align with the School’s strategic priorities, comply with relevant accreditation and regulatory standards, and operate effectively within budgetary guidelines.

Responsibilities 

•           Program Coordination and Student Support (50%)
• Support the development, coordination, and continuous improvement of language learning and academic preparation initiatives for multilingual and international ESL students.
• Collaborate with faculty and instructional designers to ensure high-quality curriculum delivery, monitor student progress, and implement instructional improvements based on data and feedback.
• Partner with Admissions, International Student Services, and Marketing to support outreach, enrollment, and onboarding of ESL students.
• Build and maintain relationships with local educational institutions, community partners, and international recruitment agents to strengthen enrollment pipelines.
• Coordinate orientation sessions, workshops, and cultural enrichment activities; serve as a primary point of contact for ESL student support and success.
•  Grant Writing and Development
• Identify and research funding opportunities (private foundations, federal/state grants, corporate sponsors) that align with the school’s strategic initiatives (e.g., mental health, ABA services, extended professional programs).
• Write and submit persuasive grant proposals, including budgets, project narratives, and supporting documentation; ensure timely compliance with deadlines and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and external partners to gather data, articulate program goals, and establish measurable outcomes.
• Maintain a centralized grants calendar and tracking system; prepare interim and final grant reports, monitor expenditures, and update stakeholders on grant status.

•          Assistance for the Development of Mental Health Clinic and ABA Center
• Assist the dean in planning and launching a school-affiliated mental health counseling clinic and an ABA center.
• Coordinate facility needs (space allocation, equipment, licensing), recruit and supervise clinical staff (licensed therapists, behavior analysts, graduate interns), and implement policies and procedures in compliance with state regulations.
• Assist faculty in integrating clinical training opportunities into relevant graduate programs and establishing client intake, record-keeping, and billing protocols.
• Oversee initial outreach initiatives to refer clients (individuals, families, schools) and cultivate referral networks with local schools, community agencies, and healthcare provider
•  Extended Professional Programs Development

• Research community and industry need to design and launch extended professional programs (e.g., teacher credentialing workshops, professional development certificates, short-term continuing education).
• Develop business plans and budgets for each initiative, secure necessary approvals and partnerships with host institutions or community centers.
• Coordinate logistics (site agreements, technology infrastructure, staffing, program scheduling) to ensure a successful launch and sustainable operation of each extended professional offering.
• Monitor program metrics (enrollment, revenue, participant satisfaction) and refine program design based on formative evaluation and stakeholder feedback.

Additional Duties

• Support special projects assigned by the Dean (e.g., new certificate development, partnership agreements, policy reviews).
• Ensure all program activities align with La Sierra University’s mission, Christian values, and the School of Education’s commitment to excellence.

Qualifications 

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in education, Counseling, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field (master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of one year of progressive experience in ESL/TESOL program management, grant writing, and/or program development within an educational or nonprofit setting.
• Demonstrated success or potential in securing and managing externally funded grants (federal, state, foundation).
• Experience planning, launching, and operating clinical training sites (e.g., mental health counseling, ABA services, education) is preferred.
• Proven ability to create and expand educational programs.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to prepare clear, persuasive proposals, reports, and marketing materials.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple initiatives concurrently and meet tight deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), CRM software, grant management databases, and basic data-analysis tools.
• Skilled in budget development and financial oversight; ability to monitor expenses and reconcile grant budgets.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and the capacity to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders (faculty, staff, students, community partners).
• Strong leadership qualities: self-motivated, proactive, adaptable to shifting priorities, and comfortable working independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of ESL and multicultural Education pedagogy, adult learning principles, mental health/ABA clinical training standards, and/or relevant accreditation/licensure requirements.

Personal Attributes

• A demonstrated commitment to Christian faith and the mission of La Sierra University and the School of Education.
• High integrity, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Patience, flexibility, and a solutions-oriented mindset when facing complex challenges or unexpected circumstances.
• A service-driven orientation that genuinely desires to support students, faculty, and community stakeholders.

Typical Physical Demands

• A combination of sitting, standing, bending, and reaching is required to fulfill day-to-day responsibilities.
• Occasional lifting of materials (up to 25 pounds) may be required for events or program setup.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office equipment (computers, scanners, telephones).
• Normal hearing and vision are essential to perform the job effectively. 

Working Conditions

• Primary duties occur in a typical office environment within the School of Education, minimal exposure to temperature extremes or other environmental discomfort.
• Some off-site travel may be required to visit partner organizations, community sites, or attend conferences and grant meetings.
• Occasional evening and weekend events (e.g., program launches, community outreach, partner institution visits) may be expected.

Annual Salary: $68,640.00 plus generous benefits 

• Comprehensive health coverage available
• Tuition Assistance
• 10 Paid Holidays
• FSA, Pet Insurance, Legal Services, Identity Protection Services, and more!