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• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

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POSITION SPECIFICS​

The Assistant/Associate Director for Graduate Student Success and Community Engagement within The Fox Graduate School plays a key leadership role in advancing graduate education through strategic programming, institutional collaboration, and faculty and staff development. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Graduate Student Engagement, this position designs and delivers professional development experiences that foster effective faculty-student engagement and create academic environments where graduate students can thrive.

This position will be filled at the Student Advocacy Specialist - Advanced Professional OR the Student Advocacy Specialist - Senior Professional level, based on the successful candidate's qualifications.

The role collaborates closely with academic colleges, administrative units, and national partners to support initiatives that enhance graduate student retention, success, and community-building. It also contributes to long-term planning and oversees the implementation of impactful programs that address evolving needs in graduate education.

Key Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide direction and leadership for initiatives that address the academic, social, and engagement needs of graduate students, with attention to the unique experiences of both domestic and international populations.
• Create, develop, and implement programs and activities that foster a strong sense of belonging, community engagement, and academic integration for graduate students across disciplines.
• Design and assess workshops, events, and initiatives that respond to evolving graduate student needs related to cultural adjustment, identity, student life, and academic transition.
• Collaborate with campus units, student organizations, and colleges to deliver targeted programs that enhance the graduate student experience and promote retention.
• Partner with faculty and staff to support their efforts in engaging graduate students meaningfully through consultation, collaboration, and the development of shared tools and programming strategies.
• Coordinate communications and outreach strategies to raise awareness of available programs and foster student participation in engagement activities.
• Manage and forecast small program budgets (up to $250