Academic Program Specialist I - Admissions

University of Florida • Gainesville, FL

5d • $52,000 - $57,000

About The Position

The Academic Program Specialist I supports the University of Florida College of Pharmacy’s student recruitment, advising, pipeline development, and engagement activities. The specialist promotes pharmacy as a career and the College’s Pharm.D. and pipeline programs at university events, advises pre-health and prospective students, and manages, tracks, and helps grow the Pharmacy Early Assurance Program (PEAP). The role contributes to strategic development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of programs intended to recruit, engage, and retain future Pharm.D. students.

The position supports academic advising and orientation seminar courses, maintains student records and reports, and uses university systems to track and advise students. It exercises independent judgment in program administration, student advising, recruitment planning, and enrollment management. The specialist also coordinates the Gator Pharmacy Exploration Camp (GPEC), including planning, application review, participant selection, counselor coordination, and on-site execution in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy Community Engagement office and other campus partners.

The role includes building relationships with university faculty, advisors, departments, and prospective applicants; responding to student inquiries; supporting recruitment events; maintaining accurate records and communications in Salesforce; and assisting with data validation, reporting, and program assessment. The specialist must comply with FERPA, data privacy, and institutional requirements, provide backup support for admissions initiatives during peak periods, and assist with related special projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and two years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to be proactive and self-motivated, and to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Accurate record keeping.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Advise UF pre-pharmacy, PEAP, prospective, and other pre-health students on prerequisites, general education requirements, admission requirements, deadlines, course equivalencies, academic pathways, and alternative career options.
• Develop advising resources, educational materials, and programming that support student success and informed academic decision-making.
• Assist with and facilitate First Year Florida seminar courses for UF freshmen.
• Represent the College of Pharmacy at Preview, advising events, the Undergraduate Advising Council, open houses, college and career fairs, and other recruitment events.
• Serve as a liaison to UF's Academic Advising Center and provide information about pharmacy education and career options.
• Track and advise students in the 3+4 program regarding procedures for graduating from their undergraduate program after their first year of pharmacy school.
• Develop and nurture relationships with UF faculty members, academic advisors, departments, organizations, feeder colleges, admissions staff, pre-health advisors, and other potential partners.
• Advertise PEAP, evaluate applications, assist with educational sessions and workshops, track attendance and academic progress, and monitor pharmacy student ambassador involvement.
• Maintain PEAP records and prepare reports; track program information in Salesforce.
• Identify opportunities to grow Early Assurance Programs, develop programs that feed into the Pharm.D. program, and help increase participation in Early Assurance and Pre-Pharmacy programs.
• Visit newly established PEAP partner schools to maintain relationships and train school staff to advise PEAP students.
• Coordinate visits for prospective UF students, high school campus field trips, visiting pre-pharmacy student organizations, and skills lab experiences for prospective students.
• Serve as the primary Admissions team coordinator for GPEC and coordinate camp planning with the Community Engagement office, Admissions & Recruitment staff, faculty, and campus partners.
• Assist with GPEC application review and attendee selection in coordination with the Admissions team, supporting equitable and mission-aligned selection.
• Supervise and coordinate GPEC counselors, including onboarding, scheduling, communications, and day-to-day oversight during camp operations.
• Plan and manage GPEC schedules, activities, materials, and program flow; support programming aligned with recruitment, pipeline development, and student engagement goals.
• Track GPEC participation, attendance, and outcomes for reporting and assessment.
• Develop and maintain relationships with potential applicants and campus contacts, and provide information about pipeline programs, pharmacy careers, pre-pharmacy requirements, application procedures, and admission criteria.
• Respond to student inquiries and requests.
• Work with the UF Pre-Pharmacy Society to expand membership to prospective students from local feeder state schools.
• Collaborate with the Admissions & Recruitment team to align PEAP, GPEC, and pre-pharmacy advising activities with admissions timelines and communications.
• Maintain accurate student records, advising notes, and communications in Salesforce.
• Assist with data validation, reporting, and tracking to support admissions planning and program assessment.
• Ensure compliance with FERPA, data privacy, and institutional requirements.
• Provide backup support for Admissions & Recruitment initiatives during peak periods and assist with special projects related to pipeline development, advising support, and student engagement.

Benefits

• Health insurance, including state- and university-sponsored benefit programs for individuals, families, and domestic partners; voluntary insurance options include vision, dental, and long-term disability coverage.
• Retirement options, including the Florida Retirement System Pension Plan, State University System Optional Retirement Program, Florida Retirement System Investment Plan, and Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan.
• Paid leave, access to a sick-leave pool, maternity and paternity leave, and leave payouts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level