Career Center

Position Overview

This position serves as the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) for all master level and certificate programs in the Institute of Child Development (ICD) located in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota. The master programs include the MA in Applied Child and Adolescent Development and the MEd in Early Childhood Education and certification programs include Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. All staff in ICD play a role in advancing the University’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Specifically, in fulfilling the Institute of Child Development’s commitment to anti-racism.   

The incumbent in this position acts as program subject matter expert in systems such as Slate, PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, APLUS, ImageNow, WorkflowGen, MyU, Reporting Center, GPAS, PCAS, and U of M Reports. They serve as a resource for the department to help support students and faculty, from a variety of backgrounds, communities, and identities, in understanding how best to use systems and locate information. The role will utilize reports to analyze and interpret data and provide recommendations to the Associate Director of Curriculum and Student Services.

This position is based on campus. Per UMN policy, work may be done remotely when appropriate and approved by your manager. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures. The target salary range for this position is $50,000 - $57,000, commensurate with education, experience, and skill.

Job Responsibilities

Graduate Program Coordination (40%)

• Develop and conducts public presentations designed to promote ICD’s masters-level programs.
• Attend recruiting events and answers questions from prospective students in regards to admissions processes, degree options, etc.
• Identify program needs (based on observation, data, and interactions with faculty, instructors, students, and other staff) and create optional plans for addressing (e.g., recruitment/retention, funding resources, internship opportunities).
• Serve as department scheduler for all ICD programs and attend CEHD Scheduler’s Meetings.
• Serve as a liaison to College and central University offices and represent the department on committees and working groups; disseminate to the department information learned from central University committees such as RAC (Registrar’s Advisory Committee), Graduate Program Coordinator Network (GPCN) and GPAS meetings.
• Serve as a resource for the program to help support students and instructors in understanding how best to use systems and locate information.
• Make decisions, as appropriate, for the program on approval of registration exceptions.
• Authorize and initiate changes such as advisor assignment and/or adding a minor or plan type to the student’s record.
• Alert the Associate Director of Curriculum and Student Services when the program is not in compliance with College or University policies, provide information about consequences, and identify a plan to resolve, as needed.
• Serve on departmental committees, including but not limited to Early Childhood Committee and the MA Curriculum Committee.
• Act as program subject matter expert in systems such as Slate, PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, ImageNow, WorkflowGen, MyU, Reporting Center, GPAS, PCAS, ECAS, and U of M Reports.

Student Advising (35%)

• Advise students in the MA and MEd program to guide them through Program, College, and University Policies and Procedures, including providing direction on approved curriculum and program and/or college specific requirements to meet degree requirements.
• Monitor students’ degree progress and ensure timely completion of their degree plan and graduation procedures.
• Counsel students on social, emotional, financial, personal, educational, and vocational issues and direct them to the best resources for resolving those issues.
• Place or remove holds on student accounts and authorize registration, curricular, and some policy exceptions (e.g., extension of leave of absence).
• Update, in coordination with the Associate Director of Curriculum and Student Services, graduate handbooks and ensure clear communication of university policies and procedures.

Admissions (15%)

• Under the guidance of the Associate Director of Curriculum and Student Services, design and implement program admissions and recruitment strategy, from prospective students through orientation.
• Oversee overall masters program admission selection process, working with leadership to set program targets.
• Guide prospective students, applicants, and admitted students through the admission process and coordinate instructors/faculty involved in final admission decisions and post-admission recruiting.

Events and Special Projects (10%)

• Convene and direct planning committee for key program events, including student orientations.
• Plan and implement recruiting events for all masters and certificate programs.
• Other duties as assigned, including assisting other department team members with events.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS with at least 2 years of experience or combination of related education and work experience to equal six years. 
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend events/advising sessions for adult learners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience advising in online programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of or experience with University of Minnesota graduate-level administrative and academic processes, departments, and/or professional schools.
• Familiarity and experience working with and/or ability to quickly learn University systems such as Slate, PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, APLUS, ImageNow, WorkflowGen, MyU, Reporting Center, GPAS, PCAS, and U of M Reports.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people across the University and with a range of professional, cultural, racial, religious, educational and economic backgrounds.
• Proven independent, self-motivated work-style with ability to make decisions and use judgment with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills, including professional tact, courtesy, and discretion.