Director of Transfer and Student Advocacy

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This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system.

As the Department’s lead authority on transfer and student mobility, the Director of Transfer and Student Advocacy advance the strategic vision established by the Academic Pathways and Innovation team by designing, implementing, and continuously improving statewide transfer and articulation policy frameworks that eliminate barriers for thousands of Colorado students.  This role serves as a key advisor to the Senior Director and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE), ensuring that transfer and student advocacy efforts are aligned with broader statewide academic pathways, credential attainment, and innovation priorities.

This role directs the analytical initiatives that shape executive policy and assumes full accountability for the development and presentation of Department priorities to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.

This position does not supervise any employees.

This leadership position is responsible for independently leading specialized work within the Academic Pathways and Innovation portfolio, with primary responsibility for transfer, articulation, and student advocacy policy. The Director exercises significant judgment and initiative in advancing division priorities, implementing statewide strategies, and ensuring alignment with CCHE policies and goals. They receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures, practices and policies of the work unit.

The duties listed below reflect the different types of work that may be performed. The omission of any specific duty will not prevent the assignment of work that is appropriately related to this position. 

Strategic Leadership and Policy

• Lead the strategic design, coordination, and monitoring of Colorado’s statewide transfer and articulation systems, including GT Pathways, statewide transfer agreements, and credit for prior learning policies in alignment with division-wide academic pathways priorities.
• Drive the strategic evolution and monitoring of Colorado’s statewide transfer systems (GT Pathways and Statewide Transfer Agreements).
• Represent the Department in matters relating to transfer, including with the Colorado Commission on Higher Education and institutional advisory groups.
• Oversee and evaluate the utilization of statewide transfer articulation agreements, identifying barriers to implementation and recommending improvements or new policy frameworks.
• Act as the lead advisor to the CCHE in coordination with the Senior Director and Chief Student Success and Academic Affairs Officer on transfer initiatives, recommending policy frameworks that respond to the evolving landscape of higher education.
• Direct the collection, analysis, and reporting of course articulation and credit equivalencies from pre-collegiate and prior learning opportunities such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, military training and occupations, industry credentials.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Student Success & P-20 Alignment to advance interconnected initiatives within the student services area (e.g. admissions, Reverse Transfer, Concurrent Enrollment, and special projects).
• Modernize Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) policies, creating more opportunities for industry credentials and military experience to be effectively translated into academic credit.
• Lead development and strategy for response to any additional constituent inquiries regarding policy and practice innovation.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the Department’s primary liaison to transfer and advising professionals at institutions of higher education; lead professional development, statewide convenings, and communication strategies to support transfer student outcomes.
• Provide coordination and policy support to statewide councils and committees, including the General Education (GE) Council monthly meetings, including but not limited to drafting agendas and minutes, maintaining contact and distribution lists, and maintaining records of meetings and related proceedings; provide similar support for other stakeholder groups as requested by divisional leadership.
• Advocate for Colorado’s transfer and articulation programs and pathways to various higher education and P-12 audiences, including through presentations at meetings and conferences.
• Cultivate partnerships with Chief Academic Officers and Transfer Leads across the state to identify and dismantle systemic barriers to student mobility.
• Represent the Department as the primary liaison to academic advisors at institutions of higher education; lead collaborations to ensure clear communication of transfer policies and improved student advising practices.

Event and Project Management

• Lead the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of online resources and public-facing tools related to transfer, course credit equivalencies, relevant student programs and opportunities, prior learning, and academic affairs policies.
• Orchestrate high impact statewide convenings, including faculty conferences, transfer summits, and professional development events to foster collaboration and alignment among institutions.

Student Advocacy and Resolution

• Manage and resolve formal student complaints related to transfer, articulation, and other academic policy issues ensuring timely, transparent, and student-centered outcomes consistent with state policy and statute.
• Manage and maintain the rule making authority surrounding statewide transfer statute and policy and guiding processes in resolving potential violations.
• Serve as the Department’s representative to the Governor’s Office of Constituent Services and other assigned state entities, providing policy guidance and solutions to student and institutional concerns.

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

Minimum bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in higher education or related field.

Substitution: Four (4) years or more experience in higher education or a related field can replace the education requirement of a bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

• Five (5) plus years of progressively responsible experience in higher education policy, articulation, transfer, or student success initiatives.
• Managing projects or programs with statewide or system-level impact.
• Using collaborative and cloud-based software.
• Maintaining websites.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid Colorado driver’s license and compliance with all requirements for driving a state vehicle are required throughout the term of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree from an accredited university or college in higher education, or related area.

• Standard office practices, procedures, software and equipment, including the use of personal computers, telephones, Zoom, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook, and Teams).
• State statutes, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Colorado P-12 schools and institutions of higher education.

• Work effectively in both independent and team situations.
• Lead collaborative processes.
• Analyze complex policy data or statutory language.
• Communicate effectively, both written and verbally.
• Employ attention to technical details and accuracy.
• Apply time management skills to prioritize work.
• Apply innovative problem solving.
• Advocate for equitable student outcomes across diverse institutions.
• Provide excellent customer service to internal and external constituents.

Thephysicalandmentalstandardsdescribedherearerepresentativeofthosethatmust typicallybemetbyemployeestoperformtheessentialfunctionsofthisclasssuccessfully. Reasonableaccommodationsmaybemadetoenableindividualswithdisabilitiesto perform the essential functions.

• Frequently sit/stand at a desk for extended periods of time
• Frequently move from one area/building to another and sit/stand during the course of a day/week/month for meetings
• Occasionally may push or pull an object
• Frequently use finger dexterity and operate a keyboard
• Regularlylift10 pounds and occasionally lift 25 pounds
• Frequently use vision to read documents, view computer screens, and see close and distant objects
• Frequently use speech and hearing to engage in conversation, in person, and over the telephone

If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquires to [email protected]

• Theemployeetypicallyworksinastandardofficeenvironmentwherethenoiselevel is moderate, and the office has controlled temperatures. Works a 40-hour work week, either remotely, hybrid, or in-office, depending on the arrangement met during employment with the supervisor during normal office hours of Monday– Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
• Jobdutiesmayoccasionallyrequireworkingextendedhoursorhoursoutsideofthe regular schedule.
• Thepositionmayrequireperiodicin-stateandout-of-statetravelrequiring occasional overnight stays. The position requires the ability to travel independently through the state including overnight stays.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. The duties, expectations, and actions listed for this role may change at any time with or without notice.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically

serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Colorado Department of Higher Education is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre- employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our Human Resource Director at [email protected] or call 720.264.8575.

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