OFFICIAL JOB TITLE: Graduate Student Success Specialist
DIVISION: Academic Affairs
DEPARTMENT: Dean, COE
BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: ESU 15
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
REPORTS TO: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs/College of Engineering
SUPERVISES: Graduate student workers
SUMMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION:
The Graduate Student Success Specialist leads initiatives to support graduate student success engaging the College of Engineering Associate Dean, Director of Graduate Studies, faculty and staff in graduate programs college wide. The Graduate Student Success Specialist initiates, manages and continuously improves graduate student success activities across the College of Engineering’s graduate programs with particular emphasis on enrollment, professional development and diversity, equity and inclusion. The Graduate Student Success Specialist provides expert analysis and recommendations on the recruitment and retention of graduate students in the College of Engineering to the Associate Dean and College of Engineering Director of Graduate Studies; supports ongoing retention and student success initiatives and adheres to campus-wide advising standards, policies, procedures and practices for academic advising at UMass Dartmouth; implements and continuously improves programs to stimulate development and advancement of graduate programs; creates and coordinates college wide events to recruit, promote and ensure the academic success of graduate student; and participates in campus graduate studies, international programs, and career development related committees.
EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Works closely with the College of Engineering Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Studies on evidence-based practices for supporting the academic success of graduate students in college of engineering graduate programs.
- Identifies and implements evidence-based inclusive strategies and programming for professional development of graduate students in college of engineering graduate programs.
- Oversees block enrollment of first-semester students matriculating into highly subscribed college of engineering master’s programs.
- Advises department chairpersons, graduate program directors and registrar on enrollment management for required courses for highly subscribed college of engineering master’s programs.
- Leads efforts to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and STEM identity in our graduate student population.
- Leads workshops/seminars for undergraduate students to increase awareness of opportunities for advanced education. Topics may include the value of a graduate degree, graduate degree options, the paths toward a graduate degree, becoming a competitive graduate student applicant, how to fund a graduate degree, and graduate student scholarships available in the college.
- Liaises with the Office for Graduate Studies in promoting College of Engineering graduate programs, informing College faculty and staff of changes in graduate student related policies, and advising new faculty about graduate student policies and resources available on campus.
- Liaises with the International Student and Scholar Center to effectively communicate with international applicants and students and facilitate their academic advising and enrollment. Advise faculty and staff of changes in related policies and regulations.
- Leads College of Engineering orientation for new graduate students.
- Liaises with the career center and alumni relations to identify and promote internship opportunities for graduate students.
- Partners with the Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Studies on events to promote graduate students and their research.
- Leads workshops to guide students on graduate fellowship and scholarship applications.
- Bridges college undergraduate and graduate programs and leverages diversity and advising efforts.
- Participates in professional seminars, workshops, and conferences on graduate student academic advisement and professional development in higher education.
- Collaborates with College of Engineering Director of Graduate Studies to plan and execute listening sessions with graduate students on their issues (such as course offerings and availability of resources on the campus)
- Other tasks as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- EDUCATION: Master's Degree.
- EXPERIENCE: Significant experience in student enrollment management. Experience using decision making skills to extract from complex situations those elements of greatest relevance, present that information succinctly; to make appropriate, insightful decisions and recommendations; or to communicate difficult and/or negative decisions. Experience meeting tight deadlines and balancing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, with minimal supervision, and coordinating the work of contributors with attention to detail and with competing projects.
- OTHER: Available for evening/weekend hours as needed. Some travel required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with graduate student enrollment management
- Experience working with underrepresented or low-income students.
- Demonstrated experience advising graduate students majoring in a STEM field.
- Experience working with an on-line student information system and handling student records.
- Experience working with campus computing systems and data structures.
- Writing skills to prepare clear and concise correspondence, web site content, reports and proposals; skills to edit and proofread material for correct grammar and spelling.
- Familiarity with economic, social and educational disadvantages facing students.
- Skill to analyze data to monitor College processes and outcomes for reports and dissemination of pertinent information.
- Experience coordinating presentations and training programs for students.
- Experience planning events.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Interpersonal skills to work effectively with faculty, staff, administrators, corporate recruiters, agency officials and the general public.
- Skills to synthesize ideas and direction from multiple program stakeholders.
- Oral and written communication skills to review and produce recommendations and documentation to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Knowledge of advising principles and practice
- Knowledge of university and graduate programs curriculum content and requirements
- Working knowledge of federal and state rules and regulations regarding international applicants
- Strong knowledge of university academic standards, policies and procedures as well as eligibility requirements
- Ability to report and interpret data
- Strong organizational, leadership and interpersonal skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to relate to students, faculty and university personnel
- Knowledge of campus academic, student and community services and resources.
- Knowledge of general objectives and policies of the unit and campus concerning various graduate programs, and non-traditional and international constituencies.
- Experience with confidential student records and other sensitive materials or information.
- Organizational and time management skills to meet deadlines and anticipate needs of the program and students.
Salary: $68,565 - $87,858
UMass Dartmouth offers benefits such as:
75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Life Insurance
Long Term Disability
State Pension Retirement Plan
Optional Retirement Savings Plans
Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
Twelve (12) paid holidays
Paid personal, vacation, and sick time
Benefits for ESU Union: ESU
Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship not available.
To apply please submit a letter of interest, current resume and the contact information for three professional references.
The deadline for internal applicants is June 10, 2024.
The review of applications will be ongoing.