Trio Program Coordinator

Proudly standing as the nation's oldest HBCU, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania has been a stalwart and highly respected institution of higher education since our founding in 1837. For over 185 years our alumni have emerged as leaders and left their mark on the social, economic, and political history of Philadelphia, the surrounding region, the nation, and the world. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney University is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility.

Here at Cheyney, we value scholarship, diversity, integrity, respect, and service. We are committed to maintaining a vibrant educational community that is dedicated to promoting scholarship and lifelong learning for its students, offering wide student access to resources to ensure an opportunity for all to acquire an education, encouraging freedom of thought and freedom from discrimination by ensuring a respectful environment, and provide outreach and service to external and constituent communities, demonstrating their understanding of the importance and value of service.

We're looking for exceptional individuals who share our values, embrace our mission, recognize our potential, and covet the opportunity to continue to move our historic University forward. CU proudly offers a positive and purposeful work environment; comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance along with many wellness programs; generous retirement plans; a commitment to work-life balance including generous paid vacation, paid sick time, military leave, and paid time off for most major holidays; and a University mission to support employee personal and professional growth including a tuition waiver for self and family members, training and development, and advancement opportunities.

The Program Coordinator is an experienced professional serving in a 12-month, full-time Grant Funded Program Coordinator (GFPC III) and is responsible for coordinating TRIO Student Support Services grant activities and providing direct service to students on a broad spectrum of issues impacting long term college success. The incumbent is expected to work with the Director to provide leadership to the TRIO SSS program, and to engage in regular assessment, and new program development and implementation.  The Coordinator is responsible for student recruitment and retention, marketing, budget management, program planning and implementation.  The individual will work closely with students, and provide oversight and coordinate activities such as hiring, training and direction of the student peer-mentors.  Knowledge and training associated with the TRIO SSS grant is required, and strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for preparing formal reports. Duties include but are not limited to the following:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION:

Program Coordination

• Provide leadership to the TRIO SSS program by engaging in regular assessment and new program/services development and implementation.

• Develop a peer mentoring model and program, hire and train mentors, and provide oversight of mentoring responsibilities.

• Develop a marketing plan, brand image, and recruitment strategy.

• Manage budgets, engage in procurement and coordinate with vendors.

• Utilize software to collect and manage student information.

• Coordinate TRIO SSS recruitment activities with Enrollment Services. Collaborate with other TRIO programs to conduct campus visits for prospective students.

• Regularly interact with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Research to identify prospective participants who are currently enrolled and to maintain accurate data reporting.

• Coordinate program activities, to include: student support services, learning assistance, peer mentoring, cultural and student development activities. Coordinate with other support programs and services to establish a holistic program of support for participants. Ensure that activities align with the grant proposal and objectives.

• Conduct research and maintain current with best practices in student support services and TRIO SSS programs.  Participate in trainings and TRIO SSS professional development activities.

• Develop a communication plan, utilizing technology as appropriate, to engage students and increase awareness of services provided.

• Participate in summer activities: staff training, updating publications, orientation, and program recruitment efforts.

• Ensure that all program guidelines are met and documented appropriately. Maintain complete and accurate student records.

• Maintain knowledge of best practices and trends in student development, engagement, and retention.

• Maintain effective working relationships with students and other Student Affairs and Academic Affairs departments and offices. Attend meetings and participate on committees as appropriate.

• Participate in assessment practices. Provide routine and ad-hoc reports for various audiences including the Director, university leadership and funding source.

• Advise students on university standards, policies, and programs available to facilitate college success.

• Facilitate academic support activities for participants to include proactive and intrusive interventions, regular individual and small group meetings, tracking and monitoring of student participation in campus activities and support services, and student compliance with program participation requirements.

• Work to identify off-campus experiences and research opportunities to supplement the academic experience and student preparation for graduate school or industry.

• Assist individual students in resolving personal, social, career and academic concerns and challenges, which includes referring to the appropriate campus resource as necessary.

• Monitor the academic progress of participants and initiate contact with students in academic jeopardy.  Engage appropriate retention strategy.

• Support students in their growth and development in all aspects of personal and university life.

• Work with each participant to develop an individual success plan (ISP); monitor academic progress, social integration, career development, and utilization of referred support services.

• Be knowledgeable of campus resources and refer students for available services such as counseling, career development, internships and student organizations.   Follow-up with students and other departments as needed.

• Respond to alerts submitted by faculty or staff.

• Serve as an enthusiastic advocate and role model for students.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities:

Handle sensitive issues and information, such as student grades, with confidentiality and discretion. Chaperone program participants on off-campus activities as needed.Education, Training, and/or Experience:

A master's degree and three or more years of demonstrated successful experience in program development, coordination and in providing direct support services to students.  Experience with grant and budget management, preferably TRIO SSS grants.  Excellent communication skills, and experience preparing reports for grants and federal agencies.  

Additional Requirement:  A current driver's license with a clean driving record. 

Knowledge & Skills, Abilities:

Must demonstrate ability to motivate and mentor under-represented students.

Must demonstrate ability to design relevant and effective programming to generate the skills needed for college success.

Must have excellent organizational and event coordination skills.

Must demonstrate ability to develop customized success strategies based on student needs.

Must be able to interact with various institutional stakeholders to promote the project's activities, benefits and accomplishments.

Must demonstrate ability to manage annual reporting and data collection needs.

Must consistently demonstrate excellent customer service skills.

Must possess excellent communication skills and have the ability to speak appropriately with diverse publics.

Must be able to assess and develop solutions to concerns and challenges.

Must be able to maintain details when analyzing and evaluating information.

Must be able to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Must be flexible, open, and adaptable to change.

Must be able to work effectively in a fast paced, team environment.

Must have strong office technology skills (MS Office, PowerPoint and Excel).

Must be knowledgeable of modern social networking media (eg. Blogging, pod casting etc.).

Working Conditions:

Working conditions are in an office environment that is generally free from hazards, well lighted and ventilated.  This is a non-exempt position that may require occasionally working beyond the normally scheduled workweek, modifying existing work schedules, or flexing hours to meet University needs.

LIST OF MACHINES, TOOLS, OFFICE EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, AND OTHER SPECIAL EQUIPMENT USED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES:  PC, printer, calculator, and telephone.

Complete online application will include the following attachments. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

• Cover Letter

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae

MAILED, EMAILED or FAXED application materials will not be considered.  Employment for this position is covered by collective bargaining with the SCUPA union (SUA 2).  All offers of employment are subject and contingent upon satisfactory completion of all pre-employment criminal background checks.  Cheyney University an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.