Assistant Director for Graduate Student Support, Graduate Programs Office

Boston University•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Assistant Director for Graduate Student Support is a central member of the College of Engineering's Graduate Programs Office (GPO), supporting and enhancing the experience of a diverse graduate student population. The position serves as an information resource for graduate students, departments, faculty, and staff, and works independently and collaboratively with other University offices. It supports students with personal, medical, and academic issues, exercises professional judgment and discretion in determining follow-up, and liaises with faculty, staff, departments, and University resources regarding circumstances that may warrant extensions or temporary accommodations. The Assistant Director works directly with student organizations, providing institutional support, event-planning guidance, problem solving, and leadership training. The role also supports the Late Entry Accelerated Program (LEAP), including onboarding, community building, registration and planning assistance, and oversight of the LEAP ambassador program. It develops and assesses student-support services and programs, monitors academic progress, advises students and University community members on policies and procedures, and manages student-focused programming and events throughout the academic year.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
At least 5 years of experience providing direct support to diverse student populations.
Excellent organizational skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to facilitate a strong network of contacts across a multifaceted university community.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Counseling, College Student Development, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Counsel and support a diverse graduate student population on personal, medical, and academic issues.
Liaise with faculty, staff, departments, and University resources to address extenuating circumstances and determine whether extensions or temporary accommodations are warranted.
Use professional judgment and discretion to determine appropriate follow-up with students and faculty.
Serve as a primary resource for departments and program managers in resolving complex issues.
Support LEAP students from onboarding through community building, assist with registration and academic planning, and direct the LEAP ambassador program.
Reach out to students on academic probation or who are not making adequate progress toward their degrees.
Develop effective and efficient ongoing methods of communication with students.
Conduct assessment activities and use data to inform future decisions.
Design programming across degrees and departments to meet the needs of a diverse student body.
Evaluate and support student academic performance, including tracking academic probation and following up each semester.
Provide guidance on University and College policies and procedures.
Manage and direct new student orientation, admitted student open houses, and commencement.
Identify, design, and manage educational, social, and cultural activities, particularly those supporting health and wellness, student development, and the College's academic goals.
Research and disseminate information about community, academic, cultural, and social activities across campus and at the College of Engineering.
Support Graduate Programs Office programming throughout the year.
Advise the Student Association of Graduate Engineers (SAGE) and follow through on event-planning details.
Guide student organizations and serve as a liaison between students and internal and external stakeholders.
Advise student organizations on event planning, budgeting, advertising, and catering, and help resolve issues.
Develop and deliver leadership training for student organizations and create leadership development opportunities for student leaders.
Create the new student orientation process and ensure groups comply with University and College policies.
Develop and distribute ongoing student support services aligned with the academic calendar and stressful periods during the year.
Develop resource guides and update and enhance the student support section of the College's website.
Partner with other offices to create programming opportunities and use social media to communicate with students.
Review and update College policies and make recommendations to leadership.