Director of Graduate Studies

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Director of Graduate Studies

Job Profile Title

Director B, Student Services, Graduate Programs

Job Description Summary

The Annenberg School for Communication (ASC) is a unique place at Penn. Our students receive an education that encourages them to redefine what communication studies can do, and what media expertise entails in the real world. In addition, our faculty, scholars, and students produce rigorous multidisciplinary research that changes the understanding of media institutions and their effects. Our staff supports this work as part of an intimate work environment, wherein faculty, students, staff, and scholars are one interactive community. As the smallest of Penn’s 12 schools, Annenberg staff enjoy a small-school environment along with the benefits of working for the larger institution. We think this makes us a truly distinctive employer at Penn.

Our five-year doctoral program has a strong reputation as one of the best in the field and includes roughly 70 active students at various points in the program each year. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, the Director directs and supports 1) the coordination of the lifecycle of the school’s Ph.D. program, and 2) student success on the path to the Ph.D. Responsibilities include recruitment, admissions, student records and data management, and student support. The Director also supports the Associate Dean and other school leadership as a thought partner in identifying and implementing program improvement strategies and initiatives. The position has the potential to supervise one administrative support position.

Job Description

Leadership & Collaboration:

• Provide holistic program support to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies on all matters related to the effective management of the Office of Graduate Studies.
• Serve as a member of the school’s Academic Advisory Group and lead and contribute to thoughtful conversation, deliberation, and decision-making on topics and initiatives that drive shared goals across both the graduate and undergraduate programs. Work together on annual and per semester academic planning, such as mapping graduate course planning, faculty teaching plans, research and teaching fellowship surveys and assignments, etc.
• Partner with Graduate Studies Committee members to advise on graduate program issues and topics, including student experience and engagement initiatives to enhance the student journey. Meet with the Committee to discuss academic issues. Prepare agendas, keep minutes, track follow-up, etc.

Recruitment & Admissions:

• Plan, develop, and execute strategies to increase diversity of applicant pool.
• Maintain a high volume of professional communications with prospective domestic and international applicants – in person, by telephone, Zoom.
• Manage the online application and faculty review system to process >250 applications, admitting 20 students, yielding 14-18 students per year. Work with the school’s Graduate Studies Committee and Associate Dean to oversee the entire application process from initial inquiry to matriculation, including all related correspondence.
• Guide and advise applicants and new students in accordance with the established school and university policies and procedures.

Student Success & Program Services: