ACADEMIC COORDINATOR II(Working Title: Assistant Director)
INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL,
BEHAVIORAL AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH
Department/Division: ISBER/McNair Scholars Program
Work Location: Building 477
Name of Supervisor: Beth Schneider
DESCRIPTION OF THE MCNAIR SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The TRIO/Ronald E. McNair
Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program) is a
federally-funded U.S. Department of Education grant program aimed to assist
low-income, first generation in college and students from underrepresented
groups. The McNair Scholars Program prepares students for successful entry into
and success in Ph.D. programs. This UCSB program recruits and selects 25 highly
competent students and provides them with mentored undergraduate research
experiences and graduate school preparation. A summer seminar series coincides
with internships and research projects the scholars conduct with faculty
mentors. This program operates under a Department
of Education grant until September 30, 2011, with a strong prospect of
continued funding for an additional 5 years under a renewal.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Assistant Director is a
full-time federally funded administrative appointment that reports to the
Director. The Assistant Director supervises the McNair staff, coordinates
activities with related units and programs on campus, such as college advising,
admissions and financial aid offices, EOP, the Graduate Division,
More specifically, the
responsibilities include five main areas of work: project coordination and
management; student recruitment, support, and retention; campus and public relations;
curricula development; program evaluation and student assessment.
Project
coordination and management:
In conjunction with the
Director, the Academic Coordinator (Assistant Director) is responsible for the
daily management and direction for the UCSB McNair Scholars Program. The
Assistant Director works with the staff of ISBER and the
Student
recruitment, support, and retention:
The Assistant Director, in
concert with the Director, is responsible for the development and implementation
of a comprehensive recruitment plan which promotes participation in the program
by notifying the student body and university community about the goals,
activities, and selection procedures and by encouraging students of high
quality as well as the potential and a desire to go for doctoral study to
participate in the program. With the Program Coordinator, the Assistant
Director meets frequently with students to assess individual progress and
provides personal, career, and academic advising to Scholars in order to meet
program objectives of undergraduate and graduate degree attainment. The Assistant Director provides expert
knowledge of current university and college degree requirements, and in college
policy, procedure and precedents related to undergraduate matters. The
Assistant Director organizes a multi-tiered program of activities appropriate
to the needs, backgrounds, and interests of the students at various stages in
their academic careers. Activities may include assessments, orientations, workshops,
seminars, career development, test preparation sessions, program evaluations,
and McNair Scholars conferences.
Curriculum
development:
In collaboration with the
Director, the Assistant Director develops and updates syllabi and study
materials for the McNair Summer, Junior Year, and Senior Year Seminars,
provides course lectures on selected topics, and coordinates other instruction
and workshop activities. To further program goals, the Assistant Director
provides McNair Scholars with expert knowledge of graduate student application
processes and career planning. The
Assistant Director orchestrates the organization of student participation in
graduate fairs, scholarly conferences, and national McNair events.
Campus
and public relations:
The
Assistant Director is responsible for the creation of strong working
relationships with, among other units, the Graduate Division Recruitment and
Diversity staff, and with departmental undergraduate advisors, and with the
programs in honors, admissions and outreach programs. The Assistant Director, along with the
Director, represents the UCSB McNair Program at national and regional McNair
meetings. In order to publicize the program and the research of the
undergraduate students, the Assistant Director is responsible for oversight of
the development of a McNair Scholars Program newsletter, for coordination of
the production of the McNair Scholars Journal, for the annual McNair Scholars
Symposium, and with program staff, the regular updating of the web page.
Program
evaluation and student assessment:
In conjunction with the
Director, the Assistant Director conducts needs assessment of McNair Scholars
students and conducts student and program evaluations. The Assistant Director
is responsible for the delivery of annual reports for the Department of
Education in line with its reporting and periodic reports to campus deans and
the Executive Vice Chancellor on the progress of the program.
REQUIRED
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum of an M.A. degree in education or a related
field required. Three years or more of progressive experience in academic
advising, career counseling, developing and managing educational programs
and/or instruction in a college or university setting is preferred.
Demonstrated understanding of the needs of McNair Scholars Program
participants, and commitment to the educational needs of students who are
low-income, first-generation in college and from groups underrepresented in
graduate school. The position requires a
strong professional orientation and a capacity to handle a diverse range of
responsibilities. Broad and thorough knowledge of college and
university academic policies and regulations for undergraduates and ability to
interpret them accurately and clearly to students, faculty, staff and
community. Proven skills in analysis, decision-making
and communication, both oral and written. Demonstrated ability to plan,
organize, manage budgets, supervise staff, and handle all program operations. Experience in program design, delivery, assessment and evaluation. Strong verbal, computer, editorial, and
interpersonal communication skills are necessary.
Salary
will depend on the applicant’s qualifications and level of experience.
Interested candidates
should submit a cover letter highlighting relevant experience, a resume or CV,
and a list of at least three references who are
familiar with their academic and/or project management work to:
Dr. Beth Schneider
Director, McNair Scholars Program
2nd Floor Cheadle Hall
College of Letters and Sciences, UCSB