Program Director - House of DEGA AI &… at Talladega… · Talladega

Position Summary

Talladega College seeks an experienced, highly organized, and mission‑driven Program Director to lead the House of DEGA AI & Cybersecurity Summer Residential Program, a five‑week intensive workforce development initiative serving 52 high school students. The Program Director will oversee all aspects of program planning, implementation, staffing, student experience, academic delivery, and operational execution.

This role requires a dynamic leader capable of managing a fast‑paced residential environment, coordinating academic and co‑curricular activities, supervising faculty and mentors, and ensuring the program’s competitive house‑based framework operates with excellence and integrity.

The Program Director is responsible for delivering a high‑quality, safe, and transformative summer experience aligned with Talladega College’s standards and the program’s goals in AI, cybersecurity, coding, and workforce development.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Administration

• Provide leadership and oversight of the 5‑week residential program, including pre‑program planning and post‑program wrap‑up.
• Implement the program vision, goals, and structure as outlined in the House of DEGA program model.
• Manage daily program operations, schedules, instructional delivery, and student engagement activities.
• Maintain a safe, supportive, and inclusive residential learning environment for all participants.

Staff Supervision & Coordination

• Recruit, recommend hires, and supervise adjunct faculty instructors across AI, Cybersecurity, Coding, and Professional Development tracks.
• Supervise and support eight College Mentors, ensuring adherence to training, expectations, and student support protocols.
• Coordinate with Residential Life, Student Affairs, and campus partners to ensure smooth housing, dining, and student services operations.
• Lead daily staff briefings and ensure consistent communication across all program personnel.

Academic & Curriculum Oversight

• Ensure delivery of high‑quality instruction aligned with certification preparation (CompTIA A+, Security+), IBM SkillsBuild, Cisco Cybersecurity Essentials, and dual enrollment courses (CS 150, CYB 130).
• Oversee project‑based labs, cyber range activities, and capstone project development.
• Ensure consistent application of the standardized evaluation rubric across all academic tracks.

House System & Student Engagement

• Oversee implementation of the competitive four‑house framework (Innovation, Leadership, Strategy, Execution).
• Ensure accurate scoring, daily leaderboard updates, and integrity of competitions, challenges, and presentations.
• Coordinate night engagement events, speaker sessions, travel competitions, and Championship Day activities.

Industry & Community Engagement

• Coordinate guest speaker sessions, ensuring speakers are prepared, scheduled, and integrated into the scoring system.
• Support outreach to industry partners, community organizations, and high schools as needed.

Compliance, Safety & Risk Management

• Ensure all program activities comply with Talladega College policies, youth protection standards, and safety protocols.
• Respond to student concerns, behavioral issues, or emergencies with professionalism and sound judgment.
• Maintain accurate documentation, incident reports, and attendance records.

Budget & Resource Management

• Assist with managing program expenditures within approved budget categories.
• Coordinate procurement of instructional materials, technology, supplies, and event resources.
• Support reporting requirements for grants, donors, and institutional stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Education, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, STEM Education, Youth Development, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 1–5 years of experience in program management, summer program leadership, youth development, or academic administration.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff, managing complex schedules, and coordinating multi‑component programs.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work in a residential, fast‑paced environment with extended hours as needed.
• Commitment to student development, equity, and inclusive excellence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with STEM programming, AI/cybersecurity education, or workforce development initiatives.
• Experience working with high school students in residential or immersive learning environments.
• Familiarity with CompTIA, Cisco, IBM SkillsBuild, or dual enrollment programming.
• Experience managing competitive or team‑based learning models.

Work Schedule & Expectations

• Full‑time, on‑site leadership during the program (June 13 – July 17, 2026).
• Availability for pre‑program planning, staff training week (beginning June 6, 2026), and post‑program reporting.
• Evening and weekend hours required during the program period.

Compensation

Compensation is commensurate with experience and aligned with seasonal program leadership roles at Talladega College.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit:

• A cover letter outlining relevant experience
• A resume or CV
• Contact information for three professional references

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

TALLADEGA COLLEGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER