McNair Scholars Program Coordinator

Universities of Wisconsin•La Crosse, WI

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The McNair Program Coordinator reports to and works in close collaboration with the Program Director to support students and ensure that the program is implemented according to the goals and outcomes described in the Department of Education TRIO McNair grant. The primary responsibilities of the Program Coordinator focus on the student-facing elements that are aligned with grant outcomes. The Program Coordinator supports students in preparing graduate school applications, reviewing graduate school offers, and coordinating all student travel to research conferences and/or prospective graduate programs. The Program Coordinator supports prospective participants throughout the application process, and assists the Program Director with all phases of recruitment including scheduling and attending interviews and making admissions decisions. The Program Coordinator tracks academic progress of all program participants, and is responsible for obtaining and reporting all data relevant to the program and grant goals to the Program Director, including preparing reports for institutional and federal assessment purposes. The Program Coordinator co-designs the annual and summer curriculum, and instructs as needed. The Program Coordinator plans events and is responsible for managing the program office, including supervising the program’s Administrative Assistant and student office workers. Travel, including driving, to accompany students on grant-related activities is expected and University driver authorization is required. The McNair Scholars Program is housed in the division of Access, Belonging & Student Engagement. This position is fully funded by federal TRIO program grant funding from the Department of Education, and is subject to annual review and reappointment based on performance criteria and availability of grant funding.

Requirements

Research-based master’s degree
2+ years of experience working in college or university student services setting
Demonstrated understanding of the challenges experienced by the target student population, and experience supporting their success
Demonstrated oral & written communication skills and strong attention to detail
The ability to have and maintain a valid driver’s license, and drive a vehicle on University/State business
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.

Nice To Haves

Doctoral degree
TRIO experience
Expertise implementing and/or developing academic or system policies
Event & travel planning experience
Experience teaching at the college/post-secondary level
Experience as a member of one or more of the populations served by this grant

Responsibilities

Provide personal, career, and graduate school advising to program participants
Co-design the summer and academic year seminar curriculum and together with the seminar leader(s) and Program Director, provide participants with research guidance and direction, including information on presentation and publication of results
Assist Program Director with identifying faculty mentors, and ensuring mentors are trained and familiar with program expectations
Support participants with graduate school search and application processes
Gather and provide information to participants about campus resources
Track academic progress of all program participants
Report regularly to Program Director about student progress and recommend programmatic and/or individual interventions as necessary
Conduct and document exit interviews for graduating participants
Hire and supervise student workers and tutors
Supervise Administrative Assistant
Approve timesheets
Purchase office supplies
Create expense and reimbursement reports for department purchases
Work with participants to pay for research supplies, graduate school application fees, and other financial needs as aligned with the program budget
Work with Program Director and Office Support Staff to input and verify participant data in the participant data tracking system (Blumen)
Maintain files and database of McNair participants during program and for 10 years after graduation
Create and maintain a program policies and practices manual
Assist Program Director with identifying and communicating with potentially eligible participants
Meet with potential applicants to discuss program requirements and benefits, and assist them with the application process
Verify and document eligibility of applicants prior to interviews
Work with Program Director to arrange and conduct applicant interviews
Promote the program at recruiting events, appropriate classes and student group meetings, and through campus publications, social media, and other outward facing avenues
Collaborate with other campus programs that support first-generation and underrepresented students
Plan and implement fall and spring open houses and information sessions
Meet regularly with Program Director to ensure program is meeting designed outcomes
Ongoing professional development through required trainings, self-study, participation in TRIO regional and national trainings, and other opportunities in alignment with grant goals
As assigned by the Program Director, reflective of unit and divisional mission and values
Plan activities, workshops, and cultural engagement events in alignment with grant goals
Arrange graduate school campus visits, conference attendance, and academic enrichment activities for participants in alignment with grant goals
Arrange for transportation and accompany participants on all group events
Assist participants with all travel documentation and arrangements
Submit requests for cash advances for participants per diems
Create expense reports for reimbursement for additional expenses
Book travel and arrange for credit card authorizations
Plan group campus visits to universities and research presentations