Graduate Program Assistant (Two Vacancies)

• Serve as the point of contact for prospective and current graduate students regarding graduate program and university regulations, program progression, and assistantships/fellowships.

• Serve as point person and information source for all University and departmental policies and procedures relevant to graduate education.

• Provide support to faculty and departmental administrators regarding graduate studies information (Associate Dean, Chair, etc.) and graduate activities.

• Monitor student progress throughout the year and recommend interventions if progression problems are identified.

• Utilize various information systems to track student progress and advise effectively, including PeopleSoft, Starfish, and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Maintain organized, thorough and accurate notes/records for each student to ensure appropriate advisement at the Graduate School level.

• In collaboration with relevant staff and faculty, assist with the recommendations and development of processes and procedures that support graduate student success.

• Represent assigned college programs at various department/University graduate student events.

• Manage promotional material for the program and prospective students (Open House, website, newsletter, marketing, etc.).

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree required, masters preferred.

Experience

• Two (2) years of experience in higher education administration preferred (especially in student affairs or an academic advising).

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to records including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

• Strong use and knowledge of professional business etiquette in the workplace.

• Positive attitude and ability to plan and adapt to change.

• Solid critical thinking skills to understand student and staff concerns.

• Effective interpersonal, written and oral communication skills including correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Ability to identify, solve, and follow through on problems.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with various departments and cross-functional teams.

• Ability to maintain accurate records in PeopleSoft and Starfish.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.

• Capacity for prioritizing conflicting demands.

• Ability to gather facts and to analyze situations objectively, accurately, and in an organized fashion.

• Excellent listening and questioning skills.

• Attentive to deadlines

Conditions of Employment

Please be advised, COVID-19 vaccinations are encouraged but not required for eligible faculty and staff employed by Bowie State University. This protocol may be subject to change.

Non-Union Position.

Bowie State University offers an excellent benefits package! This includes tuition remission including eligible dependents; choice of medical/vision plans, Carefirst BC/BS, United Health Care and Kaiser plans, dental, prescription, life insurance, and training and development

Other

PURPOSE: The Graduate Program Assistant will report to the Associate Graduate Dean and will serve as the first point of contact for prospective and current graduate students at the Graduate School level and provide administrative support for the graduate program, faculty, and graduate students. Provide consultation, advisement and support to graduate students (based on assigned College: Arts and Sciences, Professional Studies, Business, Education) throughout their time at the University to include information about registration and enrollment, degree requirements, Graduate School policies/procedures, administrative issues, graduation, campus services and funding opportunities.

Environmental Conditions: The employee works under typical office conditions with extensive exposure to computer screens and frequent contact with faculty, students, family members, staff of other departments.

Physical Conditions: Essential and marginal functions may require physical fitness requirements necessary to perform the job functions with or without accommodation, such as the ability to sit for prolonged periods; near visual acuity for reading computer screens, reports and schedules; repetitive use of hands for extensive use of keyboards.

Working Environment: Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships involving appropriate interactions and communications, by phone and in writing with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds on a regular, ongoing basis; ability to concentrate on detailed tasks for extended periods and/or while attending to other responsibilities; ability to work successfully on a variety of tasks concurrently while meeting established deadlines and changing priorities.

Work Hours

Flexible Rotating Schedule to address the needs of the graduate student population. Work hours generally on weekdays with evening and occasional weekend work required (possible telework option one day a week).