Assistant Director For Graduate And Professional Programs

About the Job

Position Overview:

Located in the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the Assistant Director for Graduate and Professional Programs (job code 8462PS) provides programmatic and operational support for three programs including the graduate programs for the Mass Communication M.A. and Ph.D. academic programs, as well as the Professional M.A. in Strategic Communication. The scope of programmatic and operational support includes working closely with graduate and professional students and faculty in areas related to program administration, student services support, fellowship administration, hiring, admissions, and supporting the recruitment processes. This position reports to the Associate Director of Student Services and works closely with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) for Mass Communication, the Outreach Director and Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) for the Strategic Communication M.A. professional program, and the Director of the Hubbard School. The Hubbard School is a dynamic academic unit that offers opportunities for innovation, collaboration and development.

This is a 100% time, 12-month, continuous Civil Service appointment. This is a hybrid schedule that will change based on the academic year schedule, with primarily in-person work during the semester and primarily remote work during breaks and summer. During the semester: 4 days required on campus, one day remote. Breaks and summer: 1 day required on campus, 4 days remote.

Salary range: $50,000-$65,000, dependent on qualifications.

Job Responsibilities:

Student Services Administration (40%)

● Provide primary operational and programmatic support for graduate students in the program.

● Oversee and manage international graduate student affairs, including degree progress, employment policies, enrollment requirements, and acclimation.

● Coordinate Teaching Assistant placements and Teaching Assistant/Research Assistant/Graduate Instructor eligibility

● Evaluate and handle teaching assistant concerns

● Coordinate with faculty to manage research assistant hires

● Enter assistantship appointments and triage student payroll issues

● Apply fiscal funding knowledge to manage and track fellowship funds, plan student funding packages, and contribute to budget discussions for graduate funding

● Develop tailored graduate funding packages letters

● Disburse fellowship student payments and coordinate grant funding

● Submit third party billing paperwork

● Assist with events, professional development, and forum to enrich career support

Graduate Program Management (35%)

● Serve as the unit's first point of contact concerning policies, procedures, issues and communications related to graduate education for HSJMC's graduate programs.

● Answer questions from students, faculty and staff.

● Understand and implement policy from various sources including the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Graduate Student Services and Progress and University of Minnesota policies

● Keep students and graduate faculty informed of degree completion steps

● Track and review graduate student degree progress and registrations

● Review degree plans for accuracy and course requirements

● Inform students of thesis defense steps and facilitate process; facilitate preliminary exam process for PhD students

● Inform students of capstone process for professional MA program

● Update and create content on HSJMC website and in handbooks to provide information to stakeholders

● Attend University meetings to be informed of new or changing policies

● Attend and serve as a staff resource for Graduate Affairs Committee meetings

● Communicate information to graduate students

● Collaborate with the communication manager to design and maintain marketing and recruiting materials

Recruitment and Admissions (20%)

● Serve as an information resource to prospective graduate and professional students and answer inquiries

● Administer admissions events (open houses, information sessions, networking events, and graduate orientations).

● Track prospective students and respond to application inquiries

● Manage application review and response processes

● Process new student paperwork and answer questions

● Carry out promotion plans for academic MA and PhD programs

● Collaborate with Director of Graduate Students for Professional Strategic Communication program about recruitment and promotion strategies and events

● Prepare fellowship nominations in coordination with faculty advisers

● Exercise independent judgment daily to ensure that highly sensitive and confidential applications and student data are communicated and managed appropriately

Other (5%)

● Support new graduate faculty in graduate program operations and policies

● Provide support for Directors of Graduate Studies, graduate faculty, and HSJMC staff for department-wide research events, faculty events, and project based tasks, as needed

● Other administrative duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

● Bachelor's degree plus two years of related experience or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience to equal at least six years

● Experience working with students in a higher education setting

● Organizational skills, including accuracy and attention to detail

● Demonstrated skill in word processing, building and maintaining spreadsheets and ability to independently learn administrative software

● Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in both professional practice and as a contributor to an inclusive working and learning environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

● Experience extracting and interpreting data from various sources to inform decision making

● Experience exercising independent judgment

● Strong communication skills; ability to write clear, concise communications and communicate complex information effectively across diverse audiences

About the Department

About the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication:

The Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota is part of the College of Liberal Arts and is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Journalism and Mass Communication. The Hubbard School offers majors in Strategic Communication - Advertising and Public Relations, Professional Journalism, and Media and Information; and minors in Media and Information and Digital Media Studies. The Hubbard School offers an academic M.A. and Ph.D. and a Professional M.A. in Strategic Communication.

Housed in Murphy Hall, a state-of-the-art facility for teaching and research of journalism, strategic communication, and emerging media studies, the Hubbard School is home to the Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law, the Minnesota Journalism Center, the Hubbard Digital Studios, and the Digital Information Research Center/Sevareid Library. Hubbard facilities also include the Murphy Hall conference center, multimedia classrooms, and psychophysiological communication research labs, and a focus group room, which is used to support graduate-level experimental research. For further information, please visit the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication's website, at: https://cla.umn.edu/hsjmc

About the College of Liberal Arts:

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over 20 buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, more than 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off

• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program

• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans

• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts

• University HSA contributions

• Disability and employer-paid life insurance

• Employee wellbeing program

• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity

• Financial counseling services

• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. Click the Apply button and follow the instructions.

• It is required to attach a resume.

It is preferred to attached a resume and cover letter.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Review of applications will begin July 5th and will continue until the position is filled. To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647. The Hubbard School is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty and staff and encourages applicants from underrepresented groups to apply.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).