Graduate Program Coordinator

Cornell University; Ithaca (MI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, invites applications for a full-time Graduate Program Coordinator in the History Department. The role supports graduate students and coordinates academic policies, requirements, and program administration.

The position is predominantly on-site (39 hours/week) with a seasonal hybrid option and core hours 8:00am–4:30pm, Monday–Friday. The successful candidate will advise students, manage funding records, coordinate events, and maintain records and web content,

Qualifications

• Associates degree and at least 2 years administrative experience.
• Proficiency with MS Office 365 (Outlook, Excel, Word) and ability to learn new software.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to take initiative and follow up on tasks.

Responsibilities

• Oversee graduate program operations, ensuring compliance with Graduate School policies, procedures, and degree requirements.
• Serve as primary resource and liaison for graduate students, faculty, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate School.
• Advise prospective and current students on academic requirements, funding, course scheduling, professional development, and wellness resources.
• Manage graduate student funding records, monitor funding sources, and develop financial projections to support planning and decision-making.
• Maintain accurate student records, track academic progress, and update graduate program website content.
• Collaborate with departmental staff to support front office operations, Commencement activities, and department-sponsored events.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Customer service

Education

Associates degree

Tools

MS Office 365

Job description

The Opportunity

The Graduate Program Coordinator plays a vital role in supporting the success of graduate students by coordinating all aspects of the graduate program, providing guidance on academic policies and requirements, and ensuring effective program administration. Working independently under the general supervision of the Administrative Manager, the Graduate Program Coordinator serves as a key liaison among the Graduate School, Director of Graduate Studies, faculty, and graduate students.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee graduate program operations, ensuring compliance with Graduate School policies, procedures, and degree requirements.
• Serve as a primary resource and liaison for graduate students, faculty, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate School.
• Advise prospective and current students on academic requirements, funding, course scheduling, professional development, and wellness resources.
• Manage graduate student funding records, monitor funding sources, and develop financial projections to support planning and decision-making.
• Maintain accurate student records, track academic progress, and update graduate program website content.
• Collaborate with departmental staff to support front office operations, Commencement activities, and department-sponsored events.

This is a full-time (39 hours/week), endowed position based in Ithaca, NY. This position is predominantly on-site, with the opportunity for a seasonal hybrid work arrangement. This hybrid work arrangement is subject to change at any time. Work hours are 8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday.

About the History Department

Cornell’s History Department is an academic community of teachers, scholars, and students dedicated to studying the past as key for understanding the present as well as what the future may hold. We are committed to the notion of history as an interpretive area of analysis that examines particular times and places across the globe, while also emphasizing interactions, comparisons and change over time.

What We Need

We are seeking a detail-oriented professional who demonstrates sound judgment, exercises discretion, and works effectively and independently. Additionally, you will have:

• An Associates degree and at least 2 years administrative experience or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• High level of proficiency with MS Office 365 (Outlook, Excel, Word) and other basic computer applications; demonstrated ability to learn new software systems.
• Excellent organizational skills, reading comprehension, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated tendency to take initiative and follow up proactively on tasks until completed.
• Demonstrated ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure, use sound judgment in accomplishing tasks that are urgent, and balance conflicting priorities.
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to work effectively with others.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information and communicate with tact and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated ability to learn policy and to use sound judgement in applying it to unique situations.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

If you possess these experiences and skills this may be the role for you! There are a few other qualifications we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, to include:

• Experience working with Cornell University systems such as PeopleSoft, Workday, CollegeNET, and Tableau reporting tools.
• Familiarity with Cornell policies and procedures
• Experience working with students and/or working in an academic environment, especially working with graduate students

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York and fully on-site.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell.
• Cornell’s impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children’s Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

University Job Title

Student Services Asst IV

Job Family

Student Services

Level

D

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Range

$26.09 - $30.32

Remote Option Availability

Onsite

Company

Endowed

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

EEO Statement

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “… any person … any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-11-03