Midwest ACE Job Posting
Associate Director for Graduate Student Recruitment
The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Chicago, IL

December 12, 2019

Job Description:

The Grainger College of Engineering seeks applicants for the position of Associate Director for Graduate Student Recruitment. The Associate Director provides support to the Associate Dean for Graduate, Professional and Online Programs by exercising administrative oversight over all Office of Graduate, Professional and Online Programs (GPO) operations, policies, procedures, and initiatives that serve to support recruitment of prospective students, with particular emphasis on women, underrepresented minorities, and individuals with disabilities. This position is also responsible for the growth of, and programming for, professional master’s programs, including by overseeing and managing staff and operations supporting Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degree programs under the umbrella of the Center for Professional and Executive Training and Education. The Associate Director will serve as the primary point of contact for Department Heads, Associate Directors of Graduate Studies, and Graduate Program staff to support development of new graduate programs and curricula, and to ensure that Grainger Engineering graduate program policies are broadly disseminated.Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Manage and facilitate the college-wide recruitment plan, including registration at national engineering Graduate Fairs (e.g., Big Ten, SWE, SHPE, and NSBE), marketing and communication campaigns, and participation in name exchange programs. Coordinate teams to attend these events, including faculty, current graduate students, engineering graduate coordinators, and GPO representatives. Manage the Road Map to Graduate School course, including recruitment of speakers and day-to-day interactions with students as instructor-on-record (jointly with the Associate Dean for Graduate, Professional and Online Programs) in the ENG 298 seminar.
• Take primary responsibility for developing and implementing diversity programs that assist Grainger Engineering academic departments in recruiting and retaining women, members of underrepresented minorities, and individuals with disabilities in their graduate programs. Manage the Multi-Cultural Engineering Recruitment for Graduate Education (MERGE) program, including program logistics, communication, marketing, and recruitment. Explore external partnerships to support Grainger Engineering strategies for enhancing graduate student diversity. Maintain program statistics and track diversity goals.
• Manage shared services for participating Grainger Engineering M.Eng. programs in the Center for Professional and Executive Training and Education, including oversight of staff and budget, assistance with development of strategic plans for growth, and implementation of educational programming and professional development opportunities to enhance the experience of M.Eng. students. Provide administrative support for the development and implementation of new M.Eng. degree programs or concentrations, including assisting departments with curricular design, financial plans, and market research. Advise on strategies for program growth and innovation. Coordinate short-term assistance to academic units with recently-vacated Graduate Program staff positions.
• Assist departments and the Grainger Engineering Executive Committee with proposals to develop new degree programs, curriculum changes, and new courses/course modifications, including proposals for adding online options to new and existing degrees. Shepherd proposals to obtain the necessary college, campus, senate, university, and state approvals. Maintain statistics on college-level M.Eng. programs and assist with developing reports on program outcomes.
• Develop and maintain the Engineering Graduate Student Handbook and Engineering Graduate Programs Advisory Handbook, ensuring that these are consistent with Graduate College and campus policies. Disseminate these to relevant audiences through website posting and information sessions. Coordinate regular college updates of the course catalog and graduate programs of study and assist departments in complying with college and campus standards. Monitor recording of admission offers in GradApps and Slate.
• Oversee programming and logistics for college-wide events that enhance the graduate programs climate and student well-being, including GradFest and Graduate Appreciation Week activities.
• Provide oversight and direction to the Engineering Graduate Student Advisory Committee.
• Represent the College on ad-hoc campus graduate programs committees.
• Occasional travel is required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or related field
• Experience advising graduate students.
• Three years of progressive work experience in student affairs.
• Two years of experience supervising professional staff.
• Experience with academic diversity programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in engineering, science or related field.
• Experience developing graduate curricula.
• Experience with professional master’s programs and online programs.
• Experience with retention of underrepresented minority students in higher education.
• Experience with staff and budget supervision.
• Working knowledge of University policies and procedures relating to degree programs and course development.
• Results-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, strong oral and written communications skills, the ability to interact with a broad array of internal and external constituents, and the ability to concurrently manage multiple, complex tasks.
• Understanding of the organizational relationships and functional working relationships within The Grainger College of Engineering.