Merit Awards Program Coordinator

American University; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

American University in Washington, DC seeks a Merit Awards Program Coordinator to support the Office of Merit Awards in mentoring national scholarships for study abroad, graduate tuition, and summer research. You will assist with events, data collection, and communications to spotlight award recipients.

The role requires organizational, writing, and editing strengths, plus the ability to work across faculty, students, and foundation partners in a hybrid environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required.
• 1–3 years of relevant experience; preferred 2–4 years.
• Experience with Outlook, Qualtrics and learning management systems.

Responsibilities

• Organize scholarship information sessions and workshops.
• Support Associate Director in major annual events.
• Compile data for the office and draft the annual report.
• Recruit top undergraduate and graduate students.
• Coordinate faculty interview panels and maintain an award database.
• Help publicize award recipients; update website and social media.
• Supervise a part-time program assistant and two student employees.

Skills

Organizational skills

Writing skills

Editing skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Canvas LMS

Qualtrics

Job description

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University.

Department: Merit Awards Associate Director 2

Time Type: Full time

Job Type: Regular

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Work Modality: Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

Union: SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division.

That means the terms and conditions of your employment are governed by university policy (including the Staff Personnel Policies Manual) and any collective bargaining agreement entered into between American University and SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division.

Job Description

Summary: The Office of Merit Awards oversees the mentoring of nationally competitive, merit-based scholarships that fund study abroad, graduate tuition, and summer research. The Merit Awards Program Coordinator provides essential support to the Office to further the university’s strategic goal pertaining to academic excellence.

Primary responsibilities

• organizing scholarship information sessions and workshops;
• supporting the Associate Director in the organization of major annual events;
• compiling data for the office and drafting the annual report;
• recruiting the university’s highest performing undergraduate and graduate students;
• coordinating faculty interview panels, maintaining an award database;
• helping to publicize award recipients;
• updating the website, and managing the office’s social media accounts.

Assists the office’s Associate Director with the Early Identification Program (EIP) for outstanding sophomores.

Works with students, faculty and staff mentors, and national scholarship foundation representatives.

He/she supervises and trains a part-time program assistant and up to two Federal Work Study (FWS) students.

The Program Coordinator is also responsible for overseeing front-line service in the form of scheduling appointments and interacting with students, parents, and other clients, with support from 1-2 part-time program assistants/FWS students.

This is a union-eligible position.

Essential Functions

1. Project Management: Organizes student scholarship information sessions. Arranges faculty committees and interview panels on behalf of national finalists and applicants for multiple scholarships, such as the Truman, Rhodes, UK and Boren scholarships. Supports the Senior Director in organizing meetings with the CAS Merit Awards STEM Committee. Assists the office’s Associate Director with organizing and running large events, including the Early Identification Program Reception and end‑of‑year breakfast. Arranges dozens of small‑group workshops and panel presentations each year.
2. Front‑Desk Service, Supervision, and Scheduling: Recruits, trains, and supervises two student employees including the OMA program assistant responsible for delivering front line customer service. Manages and oversees the front desk and inquiries directed to the office’s general email account ([e-mail]). Works with the Career Center’s Customer Service and Resource Coordinator to ensure seamless customer service between the Office of Merit Awards and Career Center offices.
3. Marketing and Publicity: Prepares and maintains the Office’s primary calendar. Anticipates and publicizes campus and national competition deadlines, advertises workshops and EIP events, oversees EIP newsletter, and reserves spaces for events (in person and virtual). Manages the office's social media presence to promote scholarship opportunities, program deadlines, and student success stories, and to support broader campus visibility for the office. Collaborates with the Career Center and AU Abroad.
4. Technology and Reporting: In consultation with the Career Center’s Systems Coordinator, implement technical systems, processes and equipment that will support the mission of the office. Develops year end annual report for the Provost and senior leadership, Collects and highlights recipient biographies to illustrate in the end of year report.
5. General Administration and Other Duties: On behalf of Merit Awards staff, and in coordination with the Career Center staff, handles telecommunications requests, equipment repairs and supply purchasing. Takes part in Career Center-wide activities as needed. May provide backup support to the Career Center front desk at busy times. Supports the overall administrative functions of the office.

Supervisory Responsibility: Supervises a part-time program assistant and two student employees.

Position Details

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Full-time. 35 hours per week. Hybrid 1 work modality (on campus 3 - 4 days per week).

Salary Range: $30.00 - $33.00 per hour.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree or equivalent. 1 - 3 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

2 - 4 years of relevant experience. Experience with Outlook, Qualtrics and learning management systems such as Canvas. Experience in a higher education environment. Experience with social media management.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

Exceptionally strong organizational, writing and editing skills. Ability to interact diplomatically with faculty members and scholarship foundation representatives. Understanding of and desire to serve academically high-achieving students. Proven track record of reliability and superior attention to detail. Solid computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.

Benefits

Benefits AU offers a competitive benefits package.

Other Details

Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check. Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

American University is an E-Verify employer.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity Statement

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.

Duplicate Intro

American University is a student centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world.