Graduate Program Coordinator

Graduate Program Coordinator

The Aerospace Engineering Academic Services Office (ASO) is seeking a Graduate Program Coordinator to join our department.

The Graduate Program Coordinator is a key member of the AERO ASO team that provides high-quality and impactful programs and resources to graduate students. You will manage the daily graduate program operations and the management of the entire graduate student lifecycle. A few of your primary responsibilities include: providing advising to AERO graduate students, leading recruitment and admissions processes, onboarding enrolled graduate students, and processing graduate student funding.

The Graduate Program Coordinator will collaborate with students, faculty, staff, and several other partners at all levels. This role supports approximately 230 graduate students (~120 PhD students, 60 MSE students, and 50 SUGS students). You will report to the Academic Services Manager, with functional supervision from the Graduate Chair.

The ideal candidate has a strong track record of graduate student support, is skilled at collaborating with faculty, staff, and students, and has demonstrated success in adapting programmatic efforts to the evolving needs of the academic community.

Responsibilities*

Graduate Student Support (50%)

• Serve as the primary staff liaison for the AERO graduate programs and as the primary contact for academic and administrative needs for the graduate program.
• Meet regularly with the Graduate Chair, attend biweekly Grad Committee meetings.
• Meet with graduate students one-on-one, as well as in group settings, to provide information, advice, and resource referrals as appropriate, regarding a variety of issues such as program degree requirements, university policies and procedures, student rights/responsibilities, and non-academic factors affecting performance and overall success.
• Facilitate successful partnerships between graduate students and their faculty advisors. Coordinate with faculty advisors, and provide academic advising support regarding students' program progress and barriers.
• Maintain student records, manage student inquiries, and track student academic status.

Graduate Student Recruitment & Admissions (25%)

• Oversee the graduate program admissions process for the department, including assisting the Graduate Program Committee review process, and collaborating with faculty.
• Manage annual special recruiting projects including Explore Michigan Engineering Research & Graduate Education (EMERGE) and graduate visit days. Coordinate visits with students, faculty, and staff.
• Promote graduate programs and act as the primary point of contact for prospective graduate students. Respond to and track inquiries regarding visits and program requirements.
• Prepare and provide required reports to the department and university partners.

General Student Services Administration (25%)

• Manage the daily operations of the AERO graduate program, including addressing inquiries, developing policies, managing events, reporting data, and ensuring compliance with university policies.
• Coordinate departmental documentation and refer students to the International Center for immigration and visa guidance.
• Collaborate on graduate student funding efforts, manage fellowship and benefits disbursements.
• Coordinate program milestones processes such as preliminary exams, dissertation defense planning, and MSE faculty mentor assignments.
• Serve on appropriate campus professional development groups and collaborate with university partners to develop community building opportunities for students.
• Hire, train, and supervise the graduate student peer advisor.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Three (3) or more years of experience in higher education of relevant experience in academic advising, student services, graduate education administration, admissions, or a related area.
• Demonstrated history working with academic stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, applicants, alumni, and campus partners.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and recurring deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills; solid presentation skills with experience presenting to groups.
• Experience documenting, implementing, or improving administrative processes.
• Experience navigating web-based systems and a high level of proficiency and accuracy with Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite software, and Google collaboration tools.

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience with Wolverine Access and University reporting tools.
• Familiarity with university policies and procedures, particularly relating to supporting graduate-level students.
• A master's degree in a related field (e.g. Higher Education, Sociology, Psychology, Student Affairs).

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

Salary: A higher salary may be considered for an extraordinarily qualified candidate.

Union Affiliation

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the University Staff United (USU), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.