Assistant/Associate Director for Graduate Student Success and Community Engagement

Penn State University • University Park, IL

9d

About The Position

The Assistant/Associate Director for Graduate Student Success and Community Engagement within The Fox Graduate School plays a key leadership role in advancing graduate education through strategic programming, institutional collaboration, and faculty and staff development. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Graduate Student Engagement, this position designs and delivers professional development experiences that foster effective faculty-student engagement and create academic environments where graduate students can thrive. This position will be filled at the Student Advocacy Specialist - Advanced Professional OR the Student Advocacy Specialist - Senior Professional level, based on the successful candidate's qualifications. The role collaborates closely with academic colleges, administrative units, and national partners to support initiatives that enhance graduate student retention, success, and community-building. It also contributes to long-term planning and oversees the implementation of impactful programs that address evolving needs in graduate education.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in creating, implementing, and evaluating programs that support diverse graduate student populations, including domestic and international students
• Proven ability to collaborate with academic and administrative units, and to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students across a complex institution
• Strong project management and organizational skills, including experience managing budgets and supervising staff or student employees
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work across cultural and disciplinary boundaries
• Commitment to promoting inclusive environments
• If filled as Student Advocacy Specialist - Senior Professional, this position requires: Master's Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• If filled as Student Advocacy Specialist - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Nice To Haves

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) in higher education, student development, or a related field; or equivalent experience in senior-level leadership roles in higher education
• Experience working directly with graduate student populations at a research-intensive institution
• Familiarity with national trends in graduate education, international student support, and student success strategies
• Experience cultivating strategic partnerships, writing grant proposals, or leading campus-wide initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to use assessment data to guide planning and decision-making
• The ideal candidate will be strategic, collaborative, and culturally responsive, with exceptional communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with both students and academic professionals.
• This role requires sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide direction and leadership for initiatives that address the academic, social, and engagement needs of graduate students, with attention to the unique experiences of both domestic and international populations.
• Create, develop, and implement programs and activities that foster a strong sense of belonging, community engagement, and academic integration for graduate students across disciplines.
• Design and assess workshops, events, and initiatives that respond to evolving graduate student needs related to cultural adjustment, identity, student life, and academic transition.
• Collaborate with campus units, student organizations, and colleges to deliver targeted programs that enhance the graduate student experience and promote retention.
• Partner with faculty and staff to support their efforts in engaging graduate students meaningfully through consultation, collaboration, and the development of shared tools and programming strategies.
• Coordinate communications and outreach strategies to raise awareness of available programs and foster student participation in engagement activities.
• Manage and forecast small program budgets (up to $250,000) and assist in the preparation of internal reports and funding proposals.
• Contribute to long-term strategic planning efforts and help assess the impact of graduate student success initiatives in alignment with Graduate School priorities.
• Serve as a liaison to relevant campus offices, including International Student Support Services, Student Affairs, and cultural centers, to ensure alignment and collaboration.

Benefits

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.
• For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

What This Job Offers

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