Program Coordinator McNair

University of Central Oklahoma•Edmond, OK

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Coordinator works with the director to develop and implement programming that supports participants’ academic success and prepares them to enter and complete graduate study. The coordinator has direct contact with participants and provides individual services, including comprehensive needs assessments, individualized planning, advising, and monitoring participants’ progress. The coordinator also facilitates group services such as seminars, workshops, graduate school visits, the McNair Showcase, and conference attendance. The position’s primary duties require discretion and independent judgment on significant matters, including planning, coordinating, administering, and making substantive decisions about programs, operations, and services. The coordinator supports participant recruitment, research mentoring, graduate school preparation, alumni engagement, program evaluation, and federal reporting. The role may coordinate day-to-day program operations in the director’s absence, within delegated authority. This is a grant-funded position contingent on continued federal funding. The program is in its final grant year and intends to seek renewal for the next five-year cycle. The position typically works Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in-office at UCO’s main campus in Edmond, Oklahoma, with occasional evening and weekend work and travel.

Requirements

Completed or in-progress master’s degree, or equivalent work experience.
At least one year of experience in higher education, program planning, academic or financial advising, instructional experience, or government reporting.
Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and ability to operate a typical motor vehicle.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Experience conducting a start-to-finish research project, such as a thesis or capstone.
Experience developing and coordinating programming.
Ability to plan and travel with participants on graduate school visits and to conferences.
Technology proficiency.
Experience with data tracking and collection.
Knowledge of evidence-based research and High-Impact practices related to persistence and graduate degree attainment.
Familiarity with using diagnostic, formative, interim, and summative assessments to assess growth.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in education, counseling, social sciences, STEM, or a related field, and/or evidence of pursuing a doctoral degree.
One or more years of experience developing programming designed to support low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students.

Responsibilities

Supervise graduate student workers and support staff, including onboarding and training, assigning duties, coordinating work schedules, evaluating performance, and providing ongoing feedback.
Recruit and coordinate faculty research mentors, match faculty expertise with scholars’ research interests, communicate mentoring expectations, and maintain partnerships.
Coordinate the Summer Research Institute, including developing its instructional schedule, coordinating faculty and presenters, monitoring research milestones, and evaluating participant learning and program effectiveness.
Develop and implement a graduate school preparation curriculum covering program selection, application materials, funding opportunities, faculty engagement, interviews, and the transition to doctoral study.
Lead alumni engagement and longitudinal outcome tracking, documenting graduate enrollment, degree completion, and professional accomplishments.
Coordinate day-to-day program operations in the director’s absence, address time-sensitive participant needs within delegated authority, and escalate matters requiring director approval.
Oversee recruitment efforts to serve 25 eligible participants annually.
Plan and coordinate McNair workshops, seminars, and classes.
Provide regularly scheduled appointments with scholars and coach participants in overcoming challenges.
Facilitate participants’ involvement in scholarly activities, including conference attendance, graduate school visits, and academic networking.
Plan trips and travel with participants.
Assist the director with compliance with federal regulations.
Track performance measures, update the program database, and assist with the annual performance report, including collecting data on McNair alumni.
Maintain the website, social media, and alumni tracking system.
Exercise due caution and safe work habits to protect personal safety and the safety of others.