Data Science Graduate Program Specialist-Residential / Senior Graduate Program Specialist-Residential
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Job Summary
CU Boulder encourages applications for the Data Science Graduate Program Advisor - Residential Programs / Senior Graduate Program Specialist - Residential Programs position! The College of Engineering & Applied Science (CEAS) at CU Boulder is committed to developing collaborative, student-centered relationships between Graduate Program Specialists and graduate students that support achievement of academic success, promote personal and professional development of students, and foster a sense of community for our graduate students. CEAS Graduate Program Specialists support the whole student through a developmental, student-focused approach. The Graduate Program Specialists are charged with developing and implementing advising strategies and interventions to enhance the performance and persistence of students and support the graduate education mission of their unit more broadly by supporting the faculty who oversee the unit’s graduate programs.
In addition to the responsibilities outlined above for the Graduate Program Specialist, the Senior-level Graduate Program Specialist is an experienced career professional who typically maintains their regular student caseloads but contributes in an expanded role by performing elements of service to the college and/or campus graduate advising community.
This professional advising position has responsibility for providing academic and developmental advising for students in the Master of Science (MS) and Bachelor/Accelerated Masters (BAM) program in the MS Data Science Program (DTSC). The position informs and advises students of graduate goals and tracks their progress towards fulfilling them; advises students about the nature and content of the unit’s curricula; helps prepare students to take advantage of professional development and community-building opportunities; informs students on how to navigate systems, academic processes, and policies at CU Boulder; and encourages students to become contributing members of the CU community. This position also intervenes with students having academic difficulty and creates a sense of community for the graduate program through events and professional development opportunities. The position works closely with the graduate program manager in leading, reviewing, and improving recruitment practices for the BAM and MS population. This position will maintain and analyze graduate statistics regarding applicants, matriculants, and graduates to determine benchmarks against peer programs and disseminate general information about the surrounding Boulder community. The Residential Data Science Graduate Program Specialist/ Senior Graduate Program Specialist performs recruitment, admissions, and onboarding of new graduate (MS) students through the annual admissions cycle. This position is responsible for proactive outreach and communication to these students.
Who We Are
Founded in 1893, the College of Engineering and Applied Science at CU Boulder is the second largest of seven schools and colleges at one of the nation's top public research institutions. As Colorado's flagship university, CU Boulder has selective admissions standards and a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs.
The college’s mission is to generate new knowledge in engineering and related fields, and to equip students from a diverse set of backgrounds to become leaders and citizens responsible for the betterment of individuals and society. Our vision is to be a recognized world leader for excellence and innovation in engineering research and education, with an emphasis on inclusive excellence, active learning and global society.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Academic Advising/ Student Support:
- Performs academic advising for current MS-DS residential students and BAM students consistent with current advising standards and protocols with tasks including but not limited to:
- Tracks student progress by maintaining student records. Maintains and updates degree plans, if applicable.
- Reviews and approves students' plans of study (Study Plan A vs. Student Plan B and Direct to Data Science vs. Bridge Pathways).
- Reviews and processes transfer credit requests, distinguishing between routine cases and those that require faculty involvement.
- Maintains and updates degree plans, advising students regarding academic requirements and options for completing them, staying current regarding changing curriculum. Use degree audit system as appropriate.
- Reviews and processes student requests and ensures students receive communication and responses in a timely manner.
- Helps students with course registration issues as needed, including requests for late registration/changes or leave of absence.
- Serves as residential student liaison with the DS staff and faculty, presenting student petitions, as needed.
- Assists students with visa issues and approvals for CPT and OPT.
- Serves as main point of contact for current MS-DS and BAM students with questions or concerns.
- Recommends improvements to reports and processes designed to meet department and student needs. Coordinates with the Graduate Education Council (GEC) and other Engineering Graduate Program Specialists in the college regarding departmental concerns and broader programmatic issues and brings outcomes back to the department as needed.
- Liaises with the Faculty Director and Graduate Program Manager, presenting student petitions, and other student-facing concerns and activities as they arise.
- Advises graduate students regarding academic requirements and options for completing them.
- Stays current about changing curricula, rules, and policies at the department/program, college, and university levels and how to apply them consistently to different circumstances.
- Recommends corrective actions for graduate students who are not meeting program goals or requirements.
- Proactively tracks, contacts, and works with special student populations (e.g., students in academic difficulty, non-traditional students, student parents, members of underrepresented groups, etc.) and advances critical issues to faculty and/or college and campus resources.
- Plans and implements orientation programming.
- Advises and counsels current students, faculty, and staff on policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and graduation requirements. Is deeply knowledgeable about department, college, and Graduate School and College of Engineering and Applied Science policies and procedures.
Graduate Program Administration:
- Designs and determines the process for graduate student orientation, working with other graduate program staff and the College.
- Partners with Data Science student organization (DaSSA) to plan and implement regular community building events.
- Manages graduation process, informs students of deadlines; collects required forms, verifies accuracy and signatures, and submit to Graduate School. Works closely with the Graduate Program Manager and any other Graduate Program Specialists to ensure student deadlines are met.
- Works closely with the college Communication Specialist to ensure that all informational marketing materials for the MS program are accurate and up-to date, including recruitment brochures and the website. Ensures information on the department’s graduate program website is accurate, compelling, and up to date.
- Advises Graduate Program Specialist(s) and Residential Program Manager regarding course registration, graduate paperwork and other issues as needed.
- Works with the Office of Admissions, Graduate School, The College of Engineering and Applied Science, Office of International Admissions and Office of Admissions, other student support services offices in campus and other Engineering Graduate Program Specialists in the college on broader programmatic issues.
- Gathers, maintains, and analyzes MS current and prospective student statistics and data regarding applicants, matriculants, and graduates; provides data to Program Leadership on a semester basis to accurately reflect and modify presentations to necessary and interested audiences of the Data Science Program in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
- Maintains accurate student records per departmental, college and university policy and procedures. Reviews and processes course agreement and independent study forms.
- Supports community building initiatives and event planner for student and department events
- Maintains the department’s Graduate Student Handbook by updating important information disseminated by the department, college, or Graduate School.
Graduate Program Recruitment and Admissions:
- Ensures information on the program’s graduate program website is accurate, compelling, and up-to-date. Keep recruitment materials up to date.
- Supports the MS application review and admission processes. Main point of contact for applicants to the graduate program and guides applicants through the entire application process.
- Recommends graduate program-focused process improvements to the Graduate Program Manager; offers highly specialized expertise regarding recruitment/admissions strategy and approaches that would benefit the MS-DS student population.
- Supports annual graduate student recruiting programs, including virtual information sessions, admissions webinars, and on-campus events.
- Reviews the standards of admission for students, including BAM students, based on data from the previous year to ensure that top applicants are recruited and makes recommendations to the Graduate Program Manager for changes in the application review process.
- Informs the Graduate Program Manager about individuals from underrepresented populations in the applicant pool.
- Notifies applicants of acceptance or non-acceptance to the BAM, certificate and MS program. Collaborates with the Admissions Office and the Graduate School throughout the process.
- Creates content for and leads BAM and information sessions and processes BAM applications.
- Assists with developing and maintaining communication plan for incoming and admitted students.
For Data Science Senior Graduate Program Specialist- Residential only:
Leadership and Service:
- Experienced career professionals in this position typically maintain their regular student caseloads but contribute an expanded role by performing elements of service to the advising unit, college, and/or campus advising community. A broader set of responsibilities may include (but is not limited to): serving in a mentoring capacity to newer advisors, leading committees or projects, serving as a work lead or team coordinator, serving as a resource for advising leadership, supervising student employees, interns, or administrative staff, etc.
Department-Specific and Other Duties:
- Supports the DS program with their events, talks, diversity and inclusion efforts and other projects as needed.
- Keeps up to date on trends in higher education, including curriculum, requirements, graduate student wellness, and student success.
- Implements strategies for student process and success.
- Responsible for scheduling DTSC courses in Course Leaf and coordinating room assignments with Academic Scheduling and other departments.
- Participates in professional development activities and serves on unit, college, or campus committees as applicable.
- Designs and leads events for current MS-DS students to promote a sense of community and maintain high retention rates.
- Helps the program with other projects, where and when needed.
- Undertakes other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
- Stays apprised and current on relevant University of Colorado policies and procedures.
What We Can Offer
- The starting salary range for the Graduate Program Specialist is $54,060 - $60,320.
- The starting salary range for the Senior Graduate Program Specialist is $61,200 - $75,000.
- Relocation assistance is available within department guidelines.
Benefits
Be Statements
What We Require
Graduate Program Specialist Level:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- One year of experience with program administration, student services, counseling or relevant experience (i.e. advising, marketing/communications, admissions, etc.).
- Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
Senior Graduate Program Specialist Level:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Three years of experience with program administration, student services, counseling or relevant experience (i.e. advising, marketing/communications, admissions, etc.).
- Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
What You Will Need
- Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
- Outstanding customer service skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and within a collaborative work environment.
- Exceptional organizational, planning, analytical, and technical skills.
- Exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple projects and requests, and work in a fast-pace environment.
- Demonstrated passion for working with students from onboarding to graduation within a high-volume setting.
- Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political, and geographical differences.
- Ability to work well with faculty, staff, and students from around the world.
- Demonstrated leadership ability to advance diversity and inclusion.
- Demonstrated skills using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)
- Demonstrated skills using cloud-based services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and/or Google’s G Suite.
- Ability to work in an environment which may demand some flexibility or evening/weekend work.
What We Would Like You to Have
- Master's degree from an accredited institution.
- Experience advising students in a higher education setting
- Familiarity with the Master's of Science in Data Science program and the University of Colorado Boulder.
- Three years of professional-level experience as an academic advisor for graduate students in STEM fields in a college or university setting.
- Experience working in higher education.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- A current resume.
- A cover letter that briefly describes how your background and experience align with this position.
We may request references at a later time.
Please apply by March 31, 2025 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu