Assistant Director of Pre-College Programs, Student Life, and Residential Experience

Home Department: Programs for Talented Youth

Position Summary:
The Assistant Director of Pre-College Programs, Student Life and Residential Experience within
Programs for Talented Youth (PTY) at Vanderbilt University, Peabody College of education and
human development is responsible for overseeing and managing all components related to
student life and experience within PTY’s pre-college programs for middle and high school
students, including the residential and virtual opportunities within PTY programs.
The Assistant Director of Pre-College Programs, Student Life and Residential Experience
partners with the Director and works collaboratively with other PTY team members to establish
the culture of the pre-college program experience, ensuring that students and staff have a quality
experience. In order to fulfill this mission, the Assistant Director of Pre-College Programs,
Student Life and Residential Experience is specifically responsible for supporting areas of PTY’s
pre-college programs that relate to policy, compliance, staff training and recruitment,
communication around program expectations, code of conduct infractions, and activities. This
role oversees the recruitment, training, and managing of a team of select residential and pre-
college seasonal program staff; supervises the development and implementation of non-academic
student activities and experiences that are a part of PTY’s pre-college experiences; supports the
communication and enforcement of policies, procedures, and compliance through development
of handbooks for staff and students, develops trainings for staff, oversees presentations related to
policy and expectations for students, provides targeted verbal and written communication around
expectations, and serves as the first point of contact when student, residential staff, and site-
based issues arise within pre-college programs.

Reporting directly to the Director, the Assistant Director of Pre-College Programs, Student Life
and Residential Experience is a full-time, 12-month position that will lead seasonal teams and
work collaboratively with colleagues overseeing other components of PTY’s pre-college
programs.

About the Work Unit:
Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth (PTY) works to develop talent in gifted and
academically advanced students and those who work with them. PTY is part of Vanderbilt
University’s Peabody College of Education and is led by staff who are dedicated and
experienced in providing evidence supported talent development opportunities for academically
advanced learners in a creative, supportive, and academically rigorous environment. In a typical
year, PTY sees over 2000 students through day, residential and online programs. Founded in
2000 under the vision and leadership of Dean Camilla Benbow, a protégé of Dr. Julian Stanley
and founder of talent search programs, PTY is comprised of a small staff who are dedicated,
hard-working, and passionate about the programs offered.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:
The Head of Student Life and Residential Experience will conduct the following duties:
1. Residential Staff Recruitment, Training, and Supervision
1a. Oversee the recruitment of a team of undergraduate students, graduate students, and
professionals who support select non-academic components of PTY’s residential and virtual pre-
college experiences.
1b. Along with the director, oversee the in-depth training of seasonal staff members related to
compliance, policies, procedures and best practices in supporting minors participating in PTY’s
pre-college virtual and residential experiences.
1a. Directly supervise and manage a team of seasonal staff members supporting pre-college
programs, including a residential summer staff; set expectations for performance and address
performance concerns promptly with support from the Director.
4a. Support seasonal staff in addressing small student-related concerns and communicate to staff
when student-related concerns will be addressed at the leadership level; communicate to
impacted staff resolutions of student-related concerns that are addressed at the leadership level.

2. Student Experience
2a. Demonstrate responsibility in providing supervision of over 900 minors participating in pre-
college residential programs in the summer and over 200 minors participating in year-round
virtual experiences
2b. Serves as the first line of support for resolving pre-college participant concerns, issues, and
crises that fall outside of social-emotional and academic needs, including but not limited to,
concerns related to potential disciplinary action; with support from the Director of Pre-College
Programs and Executive Director, show leadership over enacting PTY’s disciplinary procedure
process, as applicable.
2c. Manage communication with families concerning behavioral and participation concerns that
could or do result in disciplinary action.
2d. Manage in-program phone calls and/or emails from families related to student experience
inquiries and/or concerns.
2g. Oversee the planning of activities and the activities budget for residential programs,
including managing a staff planning activities; ensure activities are appropriate, inclusive, and
support belonging and safety; regularly attend residential pre-college program activities and
experiences to ensure quality and the presence of a full-time staff member.
2h. Maintain a presence within the residential program – living in the residential halls, attending
program events, and providing supervision and support in the dining hall; be on call and
available 24-hours a day to address concerns when students are on campus in June and July.
2i. Oversee residential staff in creating a quality and memorable experience that promotes safety,
equity, respect, and belonging for all.
2j. Along with the Director, oversee components of the PTY website and social media accounts,
as applicable, related to pre-college experiences.
2k. Oversee housing assignments for residential programs
2l. Complete additional duties as assigned and/or as necessary for implementation of quality,
engaging, and safe pre-college programs.
3. Compliance, Policies, Risk Management, and Student Safety
3a. Along with the program Director and other PTY Pre-College team members, support systems
for properly documenting student incidents, concerns, and disciplinary situations from response
to resolution.

3b. Manage student and family expectations, along with the program Director, by overseeing
post-admission, pre-program communication related to policies, procedures, and compliance;
provide support in the development of the student handbook, student required forms, and staff
handbook.
2f. Set student behavior expectations by providing program orientations and/or expectation
meetings for students participating in pre-college program.
Supervisory Relationships:
The Assistant Director of Pre-College Programs, Student Life and Residential Experience
supervises part-time seasonal staff during year-round virtual and summer pre-college program
implementation. The position also supervises middle and high school students participating in
pre-college programs. Each year PTY fills more than 1000 seats across summer, fall, and spring
pre-college programs.
This position reports administratively and functionally to the pre-college program director

Experience and Education:
• Master’s degree in education, higher education, leadership, or a related field is required.
EdD or PhD in said field is preferred.
• At least five years of experience in secondary education, higher education, school
leadership, or residential camp/program management is required.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience in an educational or program setting
is required.
• Experience working with academically advanced students is preferred.
• Record of accomplishment of successfully leading and managing a college workforce is
preferred.
• Experience in establishing and implementing protocols for the safety and security of
minors is preferred.

Other Requirements:
This position requires evening and weekend work when programs are in session. The role
involves a variable schedule, including nights, weekends, and extended days when programs are
in session, with the busiest periods being June and July summer programs. This position also
requires living on campus when students are on campus for residential summer programs.