The Placement Exchange Job Board

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) is looking for a graduate student-focused student services professional to join a well-established program offering a top-notch educational experience for students pursuing undergraduate and graduate education in the cutting-edge fields of Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. The department is highly dedicated to the student experience and is looking for someone to continue the tradition of excellence in recruitment and advising, providing support to approximately 300 graduate students as they move toward graduation and onto the next stage of their careers. This position works collaboratively with the Undergraduate Academic Advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies, and under the direct supervision of the Department Administrator.

This position, under the guidance of the Director of Graduate Studies, is responsible for the recruitment, evaluation, and admission of students into the Master’s program. He or she will also help coordinate admission decision-making for the PhD program and arrange for offers of financial support. The position is responsible for day-to-day advising of current graduate students, from the time they are admitted through graduation. This responsibility includes assisting students and their faculty advisors with creating strong fellowship application portfolios and guiding each on making progress toward a timely graduation. In addition, this position will have some responsibilities related to the undergraduate program, most likely related to the Integrated Degree Program. This position is part of the four-person Student Services, Outreach, and Communications team who operate out of the Rice Student Services Center.

Job Duties:

Graduate Program Management and Advising (60%)

• Serve as primary, expert resource for students, faculty, and staff regarding interpretation and application of University, college, and program policies and procedures as they relate to the graduate student population.
• Approve MS/PhD degree program plans and other student forms requiring departmental approval, including CPT approvals.
• Provide first point of contact for students struggling with issues related to academics, advisor relationships, mental health, etc., and advise or refer to appropriate department/campus resources.
• Maintain student records, monitor milestones, and track progress to ensure timely degree completion and compliance with department program requirements.
• Place registration holds for students not meeting requirements/progress.
• Investigate and troubleshoot student account/billing discrepancies, work with payroll and accounting staff to resolve.
• Communicate announcements of interest to the graduate student population.
• Assist international students as they transition to U.S. degree programs including referring to English as a Second Language programs when appropriate.
• Coordinate, track, and submit internal fellowship nominations for student awards.
• Provide direct support to students, including occasional editing and guidance on readability for fellowship nominations, such as the PhD Dissertation Fellowship.
• Coordinate orientation for new students.
• Maintain the graduate handbook and ensure clear communication of policies and procedures.
• Manage graduate faculty membership and voting processes, including reviews, terminations, new appointments, and curriculum/policy updates.
• Maintain data on program to assist with review and strategic planning.
• Serve on the department Graduate Committee.

Graduate Program Recruitment and Admissions (30%)

• In collaboration with our Communications Professional, develop and maintain effective modes of marketing and communications to potential graduate students domestically and abroad.
• In collaboration with departmental human resources, create, track and send offers of financial support to newly admitted students.
• Evaluate and execute admission decisions on applications to our Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering degree program, including the Integrated Degree Program.
• Maintain an understanding and knowledge of international universities.
• Consider MS applicants to our program not meeting minimum GPA requirements for conditional admission.
• Utilize and coordinate faculty usage of the university admissions system.
• Communicate with newly-admitted students by sending informative messages, holding scheduled Q&A sessions, supporting college-wide summer info sessions, and responding to inquiries in a timely and welcoming manner.
• Schedule and facilitate grad admissions committee meetings; train and support committee members throughout application review, interview, decision notification, and recruitment.
• Serve as liaison between the ECE graduate program and the Graduate School.

Undergraduate Program Advisement (5%)

• Coordinate the admission and progress of students applying to and admitted to the Integrated Degree Program.
• In collaboration with the Undergraduate Academic Advisor, advise students on degree program planning, registration, and degree progress.
• Assist with the delivery of special events aimed at undergraduate students.

Professional Development & Service (5%)

• Stay up-to-date on university policies, attend required training, relevant professional conferences and workshops. Engage in continuous professional development. Opportunity to attend regional and national conferences.

The anticipated starting salary range for this position will be $60,000-$66,000, dependent on qualifications and skill set.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree plus at least four years of relevant experience, or master's degree plus at least two years of relevant experience.
• Ability to work independently and be part of a team environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to equal opportunity, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to work with people from a broad range of cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities with high attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Listening, interpersonal, and counseling skills, along with the ability to use those skills with a highly diverse clientele of students and faculty.
• Demonstrated ability to relate meaningfully with students.
• Strong computer skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in any field or bachelor's degree in engineering or STEM field.
• Experience coordinating a graduate program, especially at the University of Minnesota.
• Demonstrated experience assisting students with application for fellowships and other awards.
• Experience advising undergraduate students.
• Familiarity with the field of electrical and computer engineering.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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