Principal Of College And Career Center

PRINCIPAL OF COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER

Lawrence Public Schools USD 497 www.usd497.org/

Lawrence Public Schools is continuing to grow CTE learning and expand innovative postsecondary opportunities for students. The district is moving forward to align marquee CTE programming at the College and Career Center, across middle and high schools, and in partnership with Peaslee Tech.

The Principal of College and Career Center is a visionary, innovative, entrepreneurial educator who designs and leads a transformative, future-ready program that expands postsecondary access, career pathways, and opportunities for every student. This role builds strong partnerships with families, staff, district campuses, business/industry, higher education, and community organizations, and serves as a collaborative leader with the capacity to influence systems at the district, state, and national level.

TITLE: Principal of College and Career Center

REPORTS TO : Assistant Superintendent, Teaching and Learning Director of Secondary Schools

SUPERVISES : Staff members at the building level

QUALIFICATIONS :

High School/Secondary Administrative Certification

High School administrative experience

JOB GOAL : To leverage leadership, supervisory, and administrative skills to develop and align postsecondary programming to benefit students.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Pathway Design & Innovation

Develop and continuously improve a districtwide Student Pathways Model that includes college, career, and alternative credential routes.

Build stackable experiences (career exploration skill building credential work-based learning placement).

Implement innovative programming such as:

Micro-internships and project-based employer challenges

Career-aligned capstone experiences and portfolio defenses

Student-run enterprises and entrepreneurship supports

Early college, dual credit, and industry credential acceleration

Student Support & Advising Systems

Ensure students receive high-quality supports for:

Career exploration and interest inventories

Course planning aligned to pathway goals (IPS/ICAP)

Postsecondary applications, essays, and scholarship navigation

Coordinate targeted supports for first-generation students, students in poverty, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and historically underrepresented groups.

Work-Based Learning & Employer Partnerships

Build and maintain partnerships with employers and workforce partners to expand:

Job shadows, career speakers, mentorships

Paid/unpaid internships, apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships

Industry tours and day in the life experiences

Collaborate with building leaders to align work-based learning to calendars, credit, and graduation requirements.

Postsecondary Partnerships (Higher Ed + Training)

Strengthen relationships with community colleges, universities, technical schools, and credential providers.

Coordinate dual credit, concurrent enrollment, early college, and articulated credit opportunities.

Ensure advising and student readiness supports align with partner requirements and deadlines.

Data, Accountability & Continuous Improvement

Develop and maintain dashboards/scorecards to track key measures (examples):

Post-secondary applications/acceptances

Credential attainment and pathway participation

Work-based learning participation
Attendance/engagement for targeted students

Use data cycles to identify gaps, improve systems, and report progress to district leadership and the community.

Communication, Events & Brand Experience

Create a strong and visible College & Career Center identity that students and families recognize and trust.

Plan and oversee key events, such as:

College and career fairs (including targeted pathway nights)

Signing days (college, military, trades/apprenticeships)

Employer panels and alumni networking events

Maintain an up-to-date digital presence (website/resources) with clear, simple steps for students and families.

Leadership, Collaboration & Staff Development

Lead, supervise, and develop College & Career Center staff

Partner closely with principals, the CTE Coordinator, counselors, CTE teachers, special education, ELL, and district leadership to design, align, and strengthen systems that support student success in college, career, and postsecondary pathways.

Provide professional learning for counselors/teachers related to:

Pathway advising

Work-based learning coordination

Equity-driven postsecondary planning

Industry credential and dual credit systems

Develop, implement, and regularly refine a College & Career Center staffing model (roles, schedules, and workflow) that improves student access and supports key outcomes (postsecondary planning, FAFSA completion, applications, scholarships, career pathway exploration, and work-based learning participation).

Operational Systems & Budget Management

Oversee budgets, grants, purchasing, and program sustainability.

Coordinate calendars and logistics across partners and schools.

Ensure processes are documented, scalable, and consistent across buildings.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS and ABILITITES:

Strong knowledge of CTE pathways, state requirements, and industry standards

Excellent communication, organization, and project management skills

Ability to build strong partnerships with local business and community agencies

Ability to analyze data and use it to guide program decisions

Ability to collaborate with diverse student populations and staff teams

Ability to travel between sites and partner organizations

Occasional lifting of materials and equipment related to CTE programs

Ability to speak clearly to various groups expressing ideas in a logical and forthright manner

Possess composition skills suitable for producing written communication for a variety of readers

Ability to quickly analyze a situation and provide prompt advice

Ability to respond to information requests in a courteous, timely and helpful manner

Ability to perform job responsibilities using appropriate software on district computer system and communication equipment

Ability to manage job responsibilities while meeting established deadlines

Ability to work constructively and cooperatively with others

Ability to travel as needed

Maintain a physical condition necessary for walking, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Ability to possess and maintain licensure (certification) as an administrator in the state of Kansas

The tasks listed in this position description are subject to change at the discretion of the superintendent. The incumbent is expected to take on other duties as requested or assigned by his/her supervisor.

EVALUATION : Performance of this job will be evaluated by the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning in accordance with the Boards policy on Evaluation.

LENGTH OF CONTRACT : 220 days

SALARY RANGE : TBD + fringe benefits

Benefits Information

APPLY NOW:

Salary Information

Salary range TBD plus fringe benefits

Employer Information

Our Mission:

Lawrence Public Schools, USD 497, is a learning community committed to ensuring educational equity and excellence so that students of all races backgrounds achieve at high levels and graduate prepared for success in college, careers and life in a diverse and rapidly changing world.

About us:

Lawrence Public Schools serve approximately 11,000 students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 in Lawrence, Kansas. Located on Interstate 70, about half-way between Topeka and Kansas City, Lawrence is an academic community, home to the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University. Our district is the seventh-largest in Kansas and with nearly 1,700 employees, one of the city`s largest employers.

Twenty-one school campuses include a pre-K program,14 elementary schools (grades K-5), four middle schools (grades 6-8), two comprehensive high schools(grades 9-12), a K-8 virtual school and a virtual high school (grades 9-11). Lawrence Public Schools offer a Parents as Teachers program for families of children from birth to age three; adult basic education, English as a Second Language courses and G.E.D. study and testing through an Adult Learning Center; and the opportunity for adults to earn a diploma through the Lawrence Diploma-Completion Program.