McNair Scholars Program Coordinator

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse; La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid holidays and sick days

Job summary

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is seeking a McNair Scholars Program Coordinator to support students, coordinate curriculum, and manage program operations. The role emphasizes advising on graduate school applications, coordinating travel to conferences, and assisting with recruitment and reporting duties under the TRIO McNair grant.

The position reports to the Program Director, involves supervising staff, and requires strong collaboration with the division of Access, Belonging & Student

Qualifications

• Master's degree required or higher with research focus.
• 2+ years of experience in a college or university student services setting.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with attention to detail.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive on University/State business.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal, career, and graduate school advising to program participants.
• Co-design the summer and academic year seminar curriculum with Program Director guidance.
• Assist with identifying faculty mentors and ensuring they are trained for program expectations.
• Support participants with graduate school search and application processes.
• Gather information for participants about campus resources and track academic progress.
• Report regularly to Program Director about student progress and recommend programmatic interventions.
• Conduct exit interviews for graduating participants.

Skills

Communication skills

Driver's license

Attention to detail

Education

Research-based master's degree

Doctoral degree

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title

McNair Scholars Program Coordinator

Job Category

Academic Staff

Employment Type

Regular

Job Profile

Academic Program Manager

Job Duties

The McNair Program Coordinator reports to and works in close collaboration with the Program Director to support students and ensure that the program is implemented according to the goals and outcomes described in the Department of Education TRIO McNair grant. The primary responsibilities of the Program Coordinator focus on the student‑facing elements that are aligned with grant outcomes. The Program Coordinator supports students in preparing graduate school applications, reviewing graduate school offers, and coordinating all student travel to research conferences and/or prospective graduate programs. The Program Coordinator supports prospective participants throughout the application process, and assists the Program Director with all phases of recruitment including scheduling and attending interviews and making admissions decisions. The Program Coordinator tracks academic progress of all program participants, and is responsible for obtaining and reporting all data relevant to the program and grant goals to the Program Director, including preparing reports for institutional and federal assessment purposes. The Program Coordinator co‑designs the annual and summer curriculum, and instructs as needed. The Program Coordinator plans events and is responsible for managing the program office, including supervising the program’s Administrative Assistant and student office workers. Travel, including driving, to accompany students on grant‑related activities is expected and University driver authorization is required.

The McNair Scholars Program

The McNair Scholars Program is housed in the division of Access, Belonging & Student Engagement. This position is fully funded by federal TRIO program grant funding from the Department of Education, and is subject to annual review and reappointment based on performance criteria and availability of grant funding. The UWL McNair Scholars Program is a federally funded "Ronald E. McNair Post‑Baccalaureate Achievement" TRIO Program, serving UWL students since 2009. The program prepares eligible participants for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. Participants must meet federal eligibility guidelines and have demonstrated strong academic potential and desire to participate in undergraduate and graduate research. Participants must be citizens or nationals of the United States or meet the residency requirements for federal student financial assistance, and meet at least one of the federal McNair Program eligibility criteria (low income, first generation college student and/or be a member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education). The program considers applications from eligible students in all majors that could lead to a Ph.D. as the terminal degree. Supports provided through the program include paid undergraduate research opportunities under the guidance of a faculty mentor, graduate school application and GRE fee assistance, travel for conferences and graduate school visits, and individual mentoring and advising. The program also provides opportunities to engage in a broad range of cultural events, mindfulness training, and other educational programming designed to improve financial literacy and preparedness for graduate study.

Key Job Responsibilities

Student Success:

• Provide personal, career, and graduate school advising to program participants
• Co‑design the summer and academic year seminar curriculum and work with the seminar leader(s) and Program Director to provide participants with research guidance and direction, including information on presentation and publication of results
• Assist Program Director with identifying faculty mentors, and ensuring mentors are trained and familiar with program expectations
• Support participants with graduate school search and application processes
• Gather and provide information to participants about campus resources
• Track academic progress of all program participants
• Report regularly to Program Director about student progress and recommend programmatic and/or individual interventions as necessary
• Conduct and document exit interviews for graduating participants

Office Management:

• Hire and supervise student workers and tutors
• Supervise Administrative Assistant
• Approve timesheets
• Purchase office supplies
• Create expense and reimbursement reports for department purchases
• Work with participants to pay for research supplies, graduate school application fees, and other financial needs as aligned with the program budget
• Work with Program Director and Office Support Staff to input and verify participant data in the participant data tracking system (Blumen)
• Maintain files and database of McNair participants during program and for 10 years after graduation
• Create and maintain a program policies and practices manual

Recruitment Activities:

• Assist Program Director with identifying and communicating with potentially eligible participants
• Meet with potential applicants to discuss program requirements and benefits, and assist them with the application process
• Verify and document eligibility of applicants prior to interviews
• Work with Program Director to arrange and conduct applicant interviews
• Promote the program at recruiting events, appropriate classes and student group meetings, and through campus publications, social media, and other outward facing avenues
• Collaborate with other campus programs that support first‑generation and underrepresented students
• Plan and implement fall and spring open houses and information sessions
• Meet regularly with Program Director to ensure program is meeting designed outcomes

Other Duties:

• Ongoing professional development through required trainings, self‑study, participation in TRIO regional and national trainings, and other opportunities in alignment with grant goals
• As assigned by the Program Director, reflective of unit and divisional mission and values

Travel & Event Planning:

• Plan activities, workshops, and cultural engagement events in alignment with grant goals
• Arrange graduate school campus visits, conference attendance, and academic enrichment activities for participants in alignment with grant goals
• Arrange for transportation and accompany participants on all group events. Travel for grant‑related student activities and university driver authorization is required.
• Assist participants with all travel documentation and arrangements
• Submit requests for cash advances for participants per diems
• Create expense reports for reimbursement for additional expenses
• Book travel and arrange for credit card authorizations
• Plan group campus visits to universities and research presentations

Department

McNair Scholars Program

Compensation

$59,200 per year

Required Qualifications

• Research‑based master’s degree
• 2+ years of experience working in a college or university student services setting
• Demonstrated understanding of the challenges experienced by the target student population, and experience supporting their success
• Demonstrated oral & written communication skills and strong attention to detail
• The ability to have and maintain a valid driver’s license, and drive a vehicle on University/State business

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree
• TRIO experience
• Expertise implementing and/or developing academic or system policies
• Event & travel planning experience
• Experience teaching at the college/post‑secondary level
• Experience as a member of one or more of the populations served by this grant

Benefits

Your benefits add an additional 40%+ to the overall financial package from the university.

• Paid vacation for 12‑month positions.
• Excellent flexible health insurance with low co‑pays and good coverage.
• Paid holidays and paid sick days.
• After 5 years of employment, you become vested in our retirement system which ensures income post‑career.
• Benefits at UWL are highly competitive with local industry and some of the strongest in state and nation.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.