Director III, Acad Student Srv

About This Role

The College of Agriculture at Kansas State University seeks a Regional Director of Academic Programs & Partnerships to serve as the senior administrative leader and official representative of the College of Agriculture in Western Kansas. This position provides executive oversight and decision-making authority for all regional academic, operational, and partnership functions. The Director coordinates academic program delivery, manages institutional partnerships, and leads regional recruitment and engagement strategies in close collaboration with the Office of Recruitment and Admissions (ORA) and the College of Agriculture’s Assistant Dean of Recruitment (Director of Recruiting). The Director ensures all recruitment and outreach efforts are fully aligned with university-wide goals and standards while advancing the College’s mission and strategic priorities. Acting with delegated authority from the Dean’s Office, the Director serves as the chief administrator for College of Agriculture initiatives in the region, exercising independent judgment to address academic coordination, student success, staffing, and stakeholder engagement.

This position operates with significant independence and delegated authority to make decisions in the best interest of the College of Agriculture and Kansas State University. The Regional Director ensures that academic programs, partnerships, and recruitment activities in Western Kansas are effectively managed and strategically aligned with university goals. All regional recruitment and outreach activities are conducted in collaboration with and under the guidance of the Office of Recruitment and Admissions and the College of Agriculture’s Assistant Dean of Recruitment (Director of Recruiting). As enrollment and engagement expand, the role will grow to include oversight of additional recruitment, engagement, and administrative staff.

Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Provide executive leadership for all College of Agriculture programs and partnerships in Western Kansas, ensuring effective coordination and delivery of courses, laboratories, and academic support.
• Oversee and direct logistical planning for synchronized and hybrid course delivery, ensuring academic quality and operational efficiency.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Western Kansas Community Colleges and the Ag Academic Programs unit for scheduling and coordinating synchronized classes.
• Exercise delegated administrative authority to make decisions related to scheduling, facilities use, instructional support, and partnership operations on behalf of the College.
• Establish and implement procedures to ensure compliance with university academic policies and operational standards.
• Prepare reports and provide recommendations to support continuous program improvement and regional planning.
• Supervise regional staff, student employees, and administrative support personnel; provide leadership, performance evaluation, and professional development.
• Develop and implement strategies to promote enrollment growth specific to the College of Agriculture in coordination with the Office of Recruitment and Admissions (ORA), including the Associate Director of Recruitment, Associate Director of Transfer, and the Assistant Dean of Recruitment (Director of Recruiting) within the College of Agriculture.
• Design and execute targeted strategies to attract prospective agriculture students from Western Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Nebraska, and the Texas Panhandle in alignment with institutional and college-wide recruitment goals and activities.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute recruitment events, outreach activities, and informational sessions in partnership with the Office of Recruitment and Admissions to ensure consistent messaging and coordinated efforts.
• Collaborate regularly with the Assistant Dean of Recruitment and the Office of Recruitment and Admissions leadership to support shared goals, data sharing, and regional recruitment priorities.
• Monitor progress toward enrollment goals, assess the effectiveness of recruitment strategies and events, and adjust activities as needed based on data and feedback.
• Ensure all recruitment, communication, and engagement activities in the region are conducted in full alignment with central university recruitment protocols and College of Agriculture strategies.
• Serve as the chief liaison for the College of Agriculture with Western Kansas Community Colleges, regional K–12 institutions, and external organizations.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with schools, community colleges, and regional organizations in close collaboration with the Office of Recruitment and Admissions, including the Associate Director of Recruitment and the Associate Director of Transfer.
• Lead the negotiation, coordination, and management of partnership agreements and collaborative academic initiatives.
• Serve as a liaison between the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University, the Office of Recruitment and Admissions, and community stakeholders to ensure coordinated outreach and engagement.
• Represent the College of Agriculture at discipline-specific college fairs, community events, and outreach activities in coordination with the College of Agriculture and the Office of Recruitment and Admissions to ensure alignment of messaging, strategy, and engagement efforts.
• Oversee regional engagement with community leaders, industry partners, and alumni to enhance the visibility and reputation of the College.

About Us

We're proud to be recognized as one of the nation's top ag schools. It's an outgrowth of our dedication to advancing the science of agriculture and the art of teaching. Our faculty truly care about students, colleagues and the world we serve. Every day, we put our hands and minds together to work on better ways to achieve sustainability, feed billions, build agribusinesses and improve lives with thoughtful, well-researched use of plants, animals, numbers and words. Visit our website to learn more, https://www.ag.k-state.edu/

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a bachelor's degree and five to 10 years of relevant experience. Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in agriculture, education, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in academic leadership, partnership development, or strategic program administration.
• Supervisory experience with professional and/or student staff.
• Knowledge of Western Kansas communities, educational institutions, and agricultural industry networks.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, budgets, and stakeholder relationships.
• Proficiency in recruitment, communications, and data management systems.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish preferred.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Contact information for three professional references

Application Window

Applications close on: December 5, 2025

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$70,000 - $90,000