Associate Director for Student Programs

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Posted Job Title

Associate Director for Student Programs

Job Profile Title

Associate Director C, Student Services, Student Engagement

Job Description Summary

The Graduate Student Center Associate Director for Student Programs (ADSP) manages the development and implementation of academic and professional development programming and resources to support roughly 18,000 graduate and professional students, including over 1500 graduate parents supported through the Family Resource Center.

The ADSP has primary responsibility for coordinating a robust schedule of programming throughout the year, working closely with professional and student staff to offer a balanced and wide range of programs and events to meet the diverse needs and interests of Penn graduate and professional students, as well as graduate students and postdocs with children. The ADSP is also part of a larger team supporting major initiatives and traditions, including New Graduate Student Orientation activities, GradFest, and Graduate Wellness Week.

The ADSP works closely with the executive director in managing signature programs and initiatives in support of the Center’s mission, including providing direct instructional and advisory services in areas of academic writing and research communication. This includes coordinating the annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition and writing retreats, as well as leading and facilitating skill-based workshops.

Job Description

The Associate Director for Student Programs supports the mission of the Grad Center by developing and coordinating programming, resources, and outreach initiatives that educate and engage Penn students on a range of topics related to academic and professional development. Working closely with partners across the University, the AD oversees a team of 2-4 fellows and 1 FTE staff member to develop, implement, and evaluate student-focused programming and resources to support roughly 18,000 graduate and professional students at Penn.

The AD is responsible for coordinating broader programming efforts, in consultation with programming staff, helping to ensure that the Grad Center has a robust and diverse array of well-planned and -executed events throughout the year. The AD works closely with the Executive Director to manage signature programs and to support successful implementation of strategic initiatives in support of the Center’s mission, providing both supportive and direct instructional and advisory services in areas of academic writing and research communication. This includes coordinating the annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition and writing retreats, as well as leading and facilitating skill-based workshops.

The AD shares in responsibility for advising and oversight of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA), with a focus on GAPSA’s Programming Division and board-initiated activiti