Executive Director of Graduate Student Success

University of Illinois Chicago•Chicago, IL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is a major urban public research university and the largest university in Chicago, serving over 34,000 students. UIC is recognized as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI), and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The university offers a wide range of nationally and internationally recognized academic programs and is committed to cutting-edge research and student success. UIC is one of the largest employers in Chicago with over 300,000 alumni. This position is eligible for benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Requirements

Master’s degree is required, preferably from a research program.
Experience as a student in a doctoral program is preferred.
Previous experience with graduate student development initiatives.
Familiarity with issues related to graduate students and education.
Knowledge of career development efforts related to research degrees such as the PhD degree.
Experience with graduate education and students, especially at a research institution.
Familiarity with UIC graduate academic programs desired.
Familiarity with issues related to graduate student success.
Superior organizational and communication skills (written and oral).
Ability to effectively synthesize and present complex information.
Demonstrated skill in relationship building; demonstrated ability to interact professionally and diplomatically with faculty, staff, students, as well as individuals outside UIC.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and vision for a comprehensive Graduate Student Support unit that promotes graduate student success, belonging, engagement, retention, and degree completion across the full graduate student lifecycle.
Develop, implement, and assess holistic support services, programs, and initiatives that address the academic, professional, personal, and social needs of a diverse graduate student population.
Lead a multidisciplinary team of professional staff responsible for academic advising, writing support, professional and career development, communications, fellowship and award advising, and graduate student engagement.
Design and oversee graduate student onboarding and transition programs, including orientation initiatives, resource navigation, and workshops that facilitate student success and connection to campus resources.
Direct the development and delivery of professional development programming that prepares graduate students for a wide range of career pathways within and beyond academia, including workshops focused on research communication, networking, career exploration, leadership development, and job-search preparation.
Oversee programs that support graduate student scholarly achievement, including fellowship and award advising, grant-writing support, research communication training, thesis and dissertation support, and competitive academic opportunities.
Lead the planning and execution of signature graduate student events and community-building initiatives that foster engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a sense of belonging among graduate students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
Cultivate partnerships across the university to connect graduate students with campus resources and support services, including libraries, career services, accessibility services, cultural centers, wellness resources, and academic units.
Develop targeted initiatives that recognize and respond to the diverse experiences, identities, and needs of graduate students, ensuring equitable access to resources, opportunities, and support.
Oversee the creation and dissemination of communications that connect graduate students to professional development programs, campus resources, and university initiatives.
Establish assessment practices and utilize data-informed decision-making to evaluate program effectiveness, measure student outcomes, identify emerging needs, and guide continuous improvement efforts.
Advocate for graduate student success and well-being through collaboration with university leadership, faculty, staff, and student stakeholders, serving as a key resource on graduate student issues and concerns.
Manage budgets.