Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Affairs Director of Fellowships, Outreach, and Programming

This position is a part of the Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) team of The Graduate School and reports to the Assistant Dean. The primary responsibilities are coordinating nominations, selection, and award of Jorgensen, Harriott, and Crandall fellowships and developing, directing, and implementing programs to recruit and support a diverse community of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, including mentoring programs focused on Harriott and Crandall fellowship recipients. In addition, the incumbent will independently administer and manage other services for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, and will advise senior leadership in The Graduate School on issues relating to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. This is a full-time regular payroll position based on the Storrs campus.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordinate nominations, selection, and award of Jorgensen, Harriott, and Crandall fellowships.
• Develop, direct, and implement programs to recruit and support a diverse community of graduate students, including participation in regional and national recruiting events and national events supporting career and professional development of graduate students from underserved communities.
• Track and monitor those receiving funding from The Graduate School or external fellowships.
• Serve as secondary fiscal officer when needed to disburse designated funding.
• Collaborate with University partners including the Dean of Student’s Office, the Ombuds Office, the Office of Community Standards, the Center for Students with Disabilities, Counseling and Mental Health Services, and individual schools, colleges, and departments to support community-wide efforts to provide responsive student support.
• Lead efforts to provide support, access to resources, and programming for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
• Monitor institutional and national trends and make suggestions for policy and procedure changes related to graduate student and postdoctoral scholar success and wellness with particular attention to supporting those from underserved communities.
• Along with other members of the GSPA team and University partners, advise and assist students and postdoctoral scholars in resolving academic, professional, and personal concerns; monitor student’s time to degree and academic standing (incomplete grades, low GPA, low grades); and counsel students on potential University separations.
• Serve on divisional and institutional committees as assigned.
• Assist with other programs or activities of the GSPA team as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Master’s Degree
2. Three to five years of professional experience in student affairs or graduate education (or equivalent)
3. Demonstrated evidence of ability to support and anticipate the needs of a diverse community
4. Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
5. Ability to analyze complex issues and effectively plan and organize work
6. Excellent oral and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience working with graduate students and/or postdocs in a large research university or demonstrated understanding of a graduate student environment
2. Evidence of ability to create programs designed to benefit graduate students and postdoctoral scholars across a wide range of disciplines
3. Experience with the coordination, selection, and/or administration of fellowships
4. Active involvement in student affairs or graduate education professional organizations

The University of Connecticut is an EEO/AA employer.