Program Director, Graduate Life & Diversity (Student Services Professional IV)

San Diego State University is seeking a Program Director to lead the Office of Graduate Life and Diversity (GLaD), a unique campus resource dedicated to supporting the academic, personal, and professional success of graduate students. GLaD provides services and programs focused on graduate student engagement, community building, career preparation, writing support, leadership development, wellness, and belonging.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Campus and Community Affairs, the Program Director will guide GLaD’s daily operations, programs, staff, and resources while building strong partnerships across campus and in the broader community. This role will engage directly with graduate students, support a diverse student population, respond to complex or sensitive concerns through appropriate referrals, and use assessment and feedback to strengthen programs and services.

• →Lead GLaD’s programs, services, strategic priorities, and day-to-day operations in alignment with graduate student needs and SDSU’s goals.
• →Supervise and support professional staff, student employees, writing consultants, and other team members through clear expectations, training, mentorship, and professional development.
• →Develop, implement, and evaluate programs that promote graduate student success, engagement, belonging, leadership development, career readiness, and retention.
• →Build collaborative relationships with campus departments, student organizations, faculty, community partners, alumni, and potential external supporters to expand resources available to graduate students.
• →Monitor budgets, expenditures, space use, purchasing, and operational processes while ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures.
• →Analyze student feedback, participation data, and program outcomes to identify trends, prepare reports, and recommend improvements to GLaD’s services and initiatives.

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position. 
• This position is designated as exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation. 
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.  
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego

The Office for Graduate Life and Diversity supports the success, well-being, and professional growth of SDSU graduate students by fostering an inclusive environment centered on diversity, equity, and belonging. The office provides a range of resources and programs, including writing support, workshops, professional development opportunities, mental health and wellness resources, printing services, and co-curricular activities that help graduate students build community and thrive throughout their academic and professional journeys.

For more information regarding the Office for Graduate Life and Diversity (GLaD), click here.

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field plus upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing and conflict resolution where such are job related.

Possession of the below required knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent to four years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience which includes experience in advising students individually and in groups, and in analysis and resolution of complex student services problems.

A master’s degree in counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a job-related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling, guidance or a job-related field may be substituted for two years of the required professional experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional, personal or career counseling.

• Experience supporting graduate students and leading student success initiatives within a large, complex university environment.
• Knowledge of graduate student success, including the academic, personal, professional, and well-being needs of students from diverse backgrounds.
• Leadership skills to supervise and support professional staff, student employees, and graduate-level student workers.
• Experience developing and implementing programs focused on career preparation, professional development, leadership, writing support, engagement, or holistic student success.
• Proficiency collecting, analyzing, and applying qualitative and quantitative data to assess programs and guide improvements.
• Skill in managing day-to-day operations, budgets, resources, events, and competing priorities within a student services program or center.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across campus, communicate the value of graduate student services, navigate sensitive concerns, and advance long-term strategic goals.

• A master’s degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education, Counseling, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
• Five to eight years supporting graduate students or leading graduate student services, programs, or centers.
• Background teaching graduate-level courses, working within Graduate Studies, coordinating a writing center, or supporting graduate student research.
• Familiarity with donor relations, corporate partnerships, advancement efforts, or other strategies for expanding resources and sustaining student-centered programs.

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. 

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.