Academic Program Specialist

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title:
Academic Program Specialist

Job Category:
Academic Staff

Employment Type:
Regular

Job Profile:
Academic Program Specialist

Job Duties:

The Academic Program Specialist for Graduate Student Retention (APS-GSR) contributes to the development, coordination, and evaluation of more than 17 graduate programs within the School of Education. This position plays a key role in ensuring program effectiveness and student success by overseeing graduate student progress, academic planning, management of dissertation administrative processes, and contracting of adjunct faculty (including dissertation committee members).

Using independent judgment and discretion, the APS-GSR supervises daily program activities, resolves issues, and supports continuous improvement of academic initiatives. Responsibilities include overseeing faculty contracting processes, collaborating with program leadership to assess instructional needs, and ensuring timely and accurate documentation in coordination with Human Resources and Academic Affairs. The person in this role is a key member of the SOE Graduate Office team.

This position collaborates closely with faculty, staff, and leadership to identify program needs, streamline workflows, and coordinate logistics.

Committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment, the APS-GSR ensures that all program operations align with departmental goals and student development initiatives.

In support of doctoral student development, the specialist manages all aspects of dissertation committee administration, including tracking assignments, processing approvals, and guiding students and faculty through key milestones. This role ensures compliance with institutional policies, oversees compensation workflows, and maintains accurate records to support data-driven decision-making. Additionally, the specialist monitors enrollment trends, manages independent study tracking, and maintains departmental databases to ensure operational accuracy and transparency.

This position also supports the planning and execution of academic events and initiatives, coordinates logistics for meetings and interviews, and evaluates program effectiveness to inform continuous improvement. As a collaborative member of the Graduate Office team, the specialist fosters a welcoming, inclusive environment and contributes to the design and implementation of new programming that enhances academic experience for students and faculty alike.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Coordinates program components and evaluates program effectiveness and provides recommendations for improvement

• Identifies program, needs, contributes to the development of unit workflows, schedules logistics and secures resources for meetings, events, and interviews

• Utilizes independent judgement regarding development, implementation, promotion, and evaluation for one or more academic programs, initiatives, or events

• May supervise the day to day activities of one or more academic programs and resolves issues exercising discretion to meet unit goals.

Department:

School of Education

Compensation:

$45,000-$55,000 annually

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Ability to quickly learn UWSP policies and procedures as they relate to SOE.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of related professional experience (i.e., personnel contract processing, enrollment management, etc.).
• Proficiency in Canvas
• Demonstrated ability to acquire knowledge of system software used in SOE (i.e., TAM, WISER, accesSPoint, Digital Measures, Qualtrics).
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders in a professional manner. These stakeholders could include potential students, faculty, administrative faculty, administrative staff, school district partners, donors, and parents.

Terms of Employment:

This is an ongoing annual academic staff position.


Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. UW-Stevens Point does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position.

How to Apply:

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Applications received by 12/3/2025 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee until the position is filled. Application materials will be evaluated and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration.

Files must be complete to be considered. Submission in PDF format is preferred for all attachments. Please include the following documents:

- Cover letter that explains how your qualifications and experience align with the position summary


- Resume

- Unofficial Transcripts

(Official Transcripts may be required of finalist)

Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you to supply three (3) professional references/one (1) of which being a current or former supervisor. (Preference to supply five (5) professional references/two (2) of which being a current or former supervisors.) Your references will be required to answer questions regarding misconduct, sexual violence and sexual harassment.

Contact Information:

For additional information regarding the position, please call or email:

Amber Garbe, Position Contact, Search and Screen Committee

Email: View email address on click.appcast.io

Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io

If you have any questions regarding the application process, need special arrangements, or if you submitted your application with missing materials, please call or email:

Human Resources

Email: View email address on click.appcast.io

Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io

Special Notes:

Through the discovery and dissemination of knowledge, UW-Stevens Point stimulates intellectual growth, provides a liberal education, and prepares students for a diverse sustainable world. The university is committed to creating a safe, inclusive learning community for all faculty and staff from a variety of backgrounds. Visit for more information about UW-Stevens Point. To learn about the Stevens Point (aka Point) area fun, jobs, housing, education, quality of life, and bragging rights, visit

Individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should contact Human Resources and Affirmative Action at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.

The safety and success of students, faculty, and staff at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is paramount. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires the distribution of an annual security report to all current and prospective students, faculty, and staff. You may obtain the complete report at

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

An offer of employment will require a criminal background check and authorization to work within the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.