Graduate Program Specialist

The College of Engineering & Applied Science (CEAS) 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. 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 coordinate the unit’s graduate programs. Experienced career professionals in this position typically maintain their regular student caseloads but contribute an expanded role by performing elements of service to the college and/or campus graduate advising community.

This advising position is responsible for providing academic advising for graduate students in the Department of Computer Science (CS). This position is responsible for proactive outreach and communication to these students. The position informs and advises students of graduate achievements 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 fellowship, professional development, and community-building opportunities; informs students on how to navigate systems, academic processes, and policies at CU Boulder; encourages students to become contributing members of the CU community; assists in the recruiting, admitting and onboarding of new graduate students through the annual admissions cycle; develops and completes marketing and recruiting strategies in collaboration with their unit’s graduate committee, and prepares students to become future leaders in their field.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

Founded in 1970, the Department of Computer Science at CU Boulder is passionate about real-world, interdisciplinary experiences for our students. Our researchers are making advances in computer science today that will change the world tomorrow. Via the Partnership Program, the department is now helping CU to support higher education across the state of Colorado.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be 

Academic Advising:

• Performs academic advising for Master's and Bachelor's Accelerated Master’s (BAM) students consistent with current advising standards and protocols with tasks including but not limited to:
• Tracking student progress by maintaining student records.
• Maintaining and updating degree plans, if applicable.
• Reviewing and approving plans of study.
• Reviewing and processing transfer credit requests, distinguishing between routine cases and those that require faculty involvement.
• Helping students with course registration issues as needed.
• Serves as graduate student liaison with the graduate committee, presenting student petitions, internal and College fellowships, etc. as needed.
• Serves as liaison with the CEAS Graduate Education Council, sharing departmental concerns and communicating information and issues back to the department as needed.
• Serves as liaison with the Graduate School on all aspects pertaining to department’s graduate students and BAM students.
• Advises graduate students and BAM 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.
• Tracks graduate students and BAM students progress with respect to departmental achievements such as completion of course work, completion of preliminary and comprehensive exams, and completion of topic proposal and final defense requirements.
• 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.
• Advises and counsels current students, faculty, and staff on policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and graduation requirements.
• Graduate Program Recruitment and Admissions
• Takes instructions from Graduate Program leadership, and graduate committee on any final Master’s and BAM students admission decisions; coordinates final degree admissions with the program manager.
• Serves as the main point of contact for all applicants to the Master's and BAM students’ program and guides applicants through the entire application process. Advises prospective students about departmental offerings and the requirements for admittance into the department’s graduate programs. Connects applicants to relevant college and campus resources/programs as needed.
• Notifies the Graduate Committee about individuals from underrepresented populations in the applicant pool. Notifies applicants of acceptance or non-acceptance to masters students and BAM degree programs.
• Compiles Master's and BAM students’ data from the previous year's applications and admissions and makes recommendations to the Graduate Program Leadership.
• Advises prospective graduate students and BAM students about departmental offerings and the requirements for admittance into the department’s graduate programs. Connects applicants to relevant college and campus resources/programs as needed.
• Tracks recruitment, retention, and performance of women and underrepresented under-resourced groups in the graduate program and informs the graduate program leadership of relevant trends.
• Notifies masters students and BAM applicants of acceptance or non-acceptance to graduate degree programs.
• Assists with the coordination of annual graduate student recruiting programs, such as information sessions and visits.
• Assists with designing the process for masters and BAM students admissions and orientation, working with graduate committees and graduate staff, any student organizations, and other entities on campus to plan for and to prepare presentations.
• Disseminates information regarding specific focus-area research opportunities and curriculum requirements, available university services, department and Graduate School regulations and policies.

Graduate Program Administration:

• Designs and determines the process for gathering, maintaining, and analyzing graduate and BAM statistics and recruitment data regarding applicants, matriculants and graduates, and benchmarks against peer programs.
• Informs students and faculty about fellowship opportunities for all students, as well as traditionally underserved populations such as women and under-resourced groups.
• Designs and determines the process for graduate and BAM student orientation, working with other Graduate Program Specialists in the department and the College.
• Works with the Office of Admissions, Graduate School, the College of Engineering and Applied Science, Office of International Admissions, other student support services offices in campus and other Engineering Graduate Program Specialists in the college on broader programmatic issues. Assists in the Graduate Committee’s and Departmental Diversity and Equity efforts.
• Ensures information on the department’s graduate program website is accurate, compelling, and up-to-date.
• Submits/designs any surveys/feedback mechanisms for department/program improvement.

Department-Specific Duties/Other:

• Advises caseload of traditional MS and BAM degree programs in the department.
• Helps run the traditional MS degree program efficiently and caters to the research needs of our traditional students.
• Helps run the BAM degree program, working very closely with undergraduate advisors, both in BS and BA degree programs to share information on department’s BAM-BS and BAM-BA and recruit students to these programs.
• Assists in developing marketing materials for distribution to prospective students, alumni, industry, and other collaborators.
• Participates in professional development activities.
• Assists with coordinating student-focused events to promote a sense of community and increase retention rates among current graduate students.
• Stays apprised and current on relevant University and State of Colorado policies and procedures.
• Participates in professional development activities and serves on unit, college, or campus committees as applicable.
• Undertakes other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

What We Can Offer

The starting salary for this full-time position is $53,000 - $59,750. Relocation assistance is available within CEAS guidelines.

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

What We Require

• A bachelor's degree.
• One year of professional-level experience as an academic advisor at an educational institution including experience with admissions and recruiting cycles and processes.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

Special Instructions

For consideration, please apply by June 17, 2024 via the CU Boulder Jobs website at: https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Graduate-Program-Specialist/57043 

Note:  To be considered for this position, applications must be submitted through the CU Boulder Jobs website using the provided URL. Application materials will not be accepted via email.