MPS Program Coordinator (4973C) - MPS Dean's Office

University of California-Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Berkeley seeks a Program Coordinator for the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Dean's Office. This role provides programmatic, administrative, and financial coordination to support undergraduate and graduate students through MPS Scholars and NSF S-STEM initiatives.

Working with faculty, staff, and campus partners, you will coordinate mentoring networks, manage communications, and supervise program activities, including outreach, orientation, and events that

Responsibilities

• Coordinate MPS Scholars and NSF S-STEM programs, providing holistic academic, financial, and developmental support to mathematical and physical sciences students, with a special emphasis on supporting low-income, first-generation, transfer, and underrepresented students.
• Develop and implement programming designed to enhance undergraduate and graduate student success, including recruitment and orientation activities, mentoring initiatives, professional development programming, research preparation pathways, graduate school preparation, and community building.
• Coordinate the MPS Scholars mentoring network, including recruitment, pairing, orientation, and training of mentors and mentees; design and coordinate related events and professional development opportunities.
• Coordinate retreats, conferences, orientations, workshops, forums, and other activities in consultation with program leadership and in coordination with appropriate campus partners.
• Work collaboratively with staff, faculty, administrators, alumni, students, departments, and partner institutions to generate innovative approaches to meeting the needs of undergraduate and graduate students.

Job description

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and providing space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Pla n, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.

Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride.

Departmental Overview

The MPS Dean's Diversity Office initiates, implements, and evaluates efforts and conducts research on student, postdoc, and faculty success in the mathematical and physical science fields with an emphasis on ensuring fair access and equitable outcomes. The Assistant Dean and their staff organize new initiatives, develop new funding, and support departmental efforts to students, and receive all work duties directly from the Assistant Dean. Collaborates with professors, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, staff, and administrators from UCB and national partners.

Currently projects underway include MPS Scholars and the MPS Scholarship Program at the undergraduate level, a doctoral advancement program, and a postdoc study. This position is responsible for providing programmatic, administrative, and financial coordination for MPS Dean's Office. Provides support to the Assistant Dean. The Assistant Dean advises the Deans and Department Chairs, manages and provides assistance to several student organizations, conducts research, develops new programs, and works to enhance equity among the faculty, staff, and students in the MPS departments.

The position requires in-depth understanding of campus policies and administrative practices. The position holder is a key point of contact for all MPS Dean's Office business and must be able to work with a high degree of independence with good judgement and follow through.

MPS Scholars is the official student success and mentorship program of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Dean's Office, offered collaboratively with the Departments of Astronomy, Earth and Planetary Science, Mathematics, and Physics. Open to all intended and declared MPS majors, MPS Scholars provides opportunities to build community, explore academic and career pathways, and thrive throughout the Berkeley experience.

Since launching in Fall 2022, thousands of students have participated in MPS Scholars through mentorship, events, workshops, and academic and career resources.

MPS Scholars is a structured program, supported by funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. It provides activities and opportunities such as: A supportive mentoring network of advanced students, faculty, professional scientists, and alumni. Welcome and orientation programs for incoming students. Research and internship opportunities in academic and industry settings. Career development workshops, courses, networking events, and graduate school preparation. Academic resources designed to support success in MPS majors. Retreats, social events, and community-building activities that connect students with peers, graduate mentors, staff, alumni, and faculty across the MPS departments.

The Mathematical and Physical Sciences Scholarship Program (MPSSP) awards up to $15,000 per year in scholarship support to eligible students in Astronomy, Earth and Planetary Science, Mathematics, and Physics. Funded by the National Science Foundation's S-STEM program, MPSSP scholars receive financial support while participating fully in the MPS Scholars community.

At the graduate level, a bridge grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation grant is focused on establishing a prototype for the establishment of a Sloan Center for Systemic Change (SCSC) at Berkeley by establishing a consortium of departments working together to advance their equity goals.

At the postdoctoral level, the Postdoc Study, supported by a grant from the Heising-Simons Foundation, is designed to provide a clearer understanding of the experiences of postdoctoral scholars and causes of patterns of career selection among postdocs in the MPS fields at top-tier universities and national research facilities.

The MPS Program Coordinator coordinates and administers academic support and student success programs within the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Dean's Office, including MPS Scholars and the NSF S-STEM Scholarship Program. The position supports the development and implementation of programs designed to enhance the academic, professional, and personal success of undergraduate and graduate students, with particular attention to students who may face barriers to academic success.

Working under the direction of the Assistant Dean and in collaboration with faculty, staff, students, and campus and external partners, the Program Coordinator provides programmatic support, coordinates mentoring and professional development activities, supports students in navigating academic and other challenges, and assists with program assessment and evaluation. The position also coordinates program communications and outreach, supervises student and peer staff, supports grant-funded initiatives, and provides financial and administrative coordination for MPS Dean's Office programs.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: October 1, 2026 - Open Until Filled

Responsibilities

Program Implementation and Student Support - 50%

• Coordinate MPS Scholars and NSF S-STEM programs, providing holistic academic, financial, and developmental support to mathematical and physical sciences students, with a special emphasis on supporting low-income, first-generation, transfer, and underrepresented students.


• Implement outreach strategies to reach eligible students; develop and implement program-specific application and selection processes; and coordinate student selection, welcome messaging, and orientation activities.


• Manage support for participating students, including housing, meals, field trips, group study sessions, community-building activities, and other enrichment programs; monitor and support student progress.


• Assist in the development and implementation of programming designed to enhance undergraduate and graduate student success, including recruitment and orientation activities, mentoring initiatives, professional development programming, research preparation pathways, graduate school preparation, and community building.


• Support students in addressing academic, financial, personal, and identity-related challenges that may affect their ability to remain enrolled and complete their degrees.


• Assist in the development of curriculum for innovative academic and professional development seminars/courses and other programs, activities, and events that support student achievement, professional development, and workforce placement.


• Coordinate the MPS Scholars mentoring network, including recruitment, pairing, orientation, and training of mentors and mentees; design and coordinate related events and professional development opportunities.


• Coordinate retreats, conferences, orientations, workshops, forums, and other activities in consultation with program leadership and in coordination with appropriate campus partners.


• Coordinate MPS 101 course activities, including guest speakers, course materials, and support for faculty instructors, GSIs, and students.


• Develop and distribute program communications and documents, including website updates, marketing materials, forms, policy statements, and other program materials.


• Work collaboratively with staff, faculty, administrators, alumni, students, departments, and partner institutions to generate innovative approaches to meeting the needs of undergraduate