Assistant Director, Graduate Studies

The Assistant Director, Graduate Studies provides overarching academic and admissions support for graduate programs, graduate students, and graduate faculty within a college.

• Advises, counsels, and assists graduate students with program registration and the application process, maintaining all relevant records and data
• Provides leadership for program development, operational procedures, organizational structure, and enhancement for graduate programs
• Provides oversight, direction, coordination, accountability, and management support for all activities and initiatives within the graduate programs
• Develops and manages the administrative infrastructure and support for graduate programs
• Advises potential graduate students on program and degree requirements and policy
• Plans, coordinates, and conducts recruitment programs for prospective students in consultation and collaboration with graduate program leadership, ensuring that all promotional information, including web content, is relevant and current.; creates presentations, schedules and leads information sessions, and conducts new student orientations as necessary
• Collaborates with academic chairs to ensure effective communication regarding program updates and student outcomes; provides information and data to the dean and academic chairs
• Participates in the admission and application process by conducting preliminary interviews, processing applications with supporting materials, and monitoring progress; assists with the enrollment process
• Supports graduate leadership in the development and implementation of enforcing policies, processes, and procedures related to graduate studies
• Attends meetings and serves on committees and councils as required

• Performs all other duties as assigned

Direct Reports:

• May supervise full-time, part-time, and/or student workers

Delegation of Work:

• May regularly assign work to subordinate(s)

Supervision Given:

• May train and counsel subordinate (s). May provide feedback to supervisor regarding other employees' performance but does not make hiring or dismissal recommendations.

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree

Required Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of related job experience

License/Certification:

• None required

• Master's degree is preferred

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of graduate programs in a higher education environment and the related trends, issues, and accepted practices
• Knowledge of graduate program admissions requirements and prerequisites
• Knowledge of relevant university policies and procedures.

Skills:

• Good technical skills, including proficiency in MS Office, EAB Navigate, and PeopleSoft
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Good organizational skills

Abilities:

• Ability to make presentations
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse university community

Primary Work Location:

• Works in an office environment

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements
• Individual has discretion in relation to walking, standing etc., and has minimal exposure to physical risks
• Must have precise hand-eye coordination and the ability to identify and distinguish colors
• Must have the ability to move items of up to 30lbs.

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Proficiency

• Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Dependability

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Flexibility

• Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
• Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
• Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
• Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Student Advising/Assistance

• Demonstrates the ability to advise and assist university students and/or prospective students with academic plans and course selection, financial options, career plans, and/or student opportunities.
• Shares relevant knowledge and insight to apprise students of the university's programs and services.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Listens and responds to student requests and concerns with patience and understanding.
• Treats students with respect.

Focus on Customer Service

• Focuses on customer's needs and expectations. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
• Respectfully ascertains customer's needs and determines appropriate response.
• Promptly responds by providing requested information, takes appropriate action, or refers customer to appropriate individual or department.
• If further actions need to be taken, advises customers of realistic timeframes for a response to their request.
• Follows up with customers on outstanding requests in a timely manner.
• Tactfully explains to customers why their needs and/or expectations cannot be met if the university does not provide the requested information or services.

Computer/Automated System Proficiency

• Proficient in the use of university applications or automated systems to perform job duties.
• Complies with related policies, procedures, and work rules to maintain system security and data integrity.

Student Success Indirect Support

• Contributes to student success by assisting students with anything that supports their student experience, whether directly or indirectly.
• Helps students navigate their way through the different offices, programs, and services at the university and/or connects students with the appropriate party(ies).
• Connects students with services or resources that can help them with career exploration, goal selection, and ongoing academic assistance.
• Helps students build peer support networks.
• Encourages student participation in out-of-class activities.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Treats students with respect
• Maintains the learning environment to ensure quality and/or sound pedagogy.