Specialist - Graduate Student Success

Middle Tennessee State University; Murfreesboro (TN); On-site; USD 54,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN, seeks a Specialist - Graduate Student Success to design and coordinate programs that support graduate students' retention and progression toward degree completion.

The role reports to the Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and focuses on fostering community, coordinating orientation, TA training, and workshops with faculty and campus partners to address barriers to continued enrollment.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in student services or related programs.
• Experience coordinating programs, events, or workshops.
• Graduate student experience may count toward requirement.
• Experience with orientation or teaching assistant training is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate graduate student success programming.
• Coordinate orientation and graduate teaching assistant training.
• Identify at-risk students and provide support and resources.
• Provide administrative coordination for Grad-AI and assess initiatives.

Skills

Student services

Program administration

Presentations / training

Retention outreach

Education

Bachelor’s degree + graduate enrollment or completed graduate degree

Job description

Job Title

Specialist - Graduate Student Success

Department

Vice Provost Research and Dean of Graduate Studies

Salary

$53,954 - $66,815; commensurate with experience

Job Summary/Basic Function

The Graduate Student Success Specialist develops and coordinates programming, retention outreach, and student support initiatives that help graduate students remain enrolled and progress toward graduation.

Reporting to the Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, the specialist builds graduate student community, coordinates orientation and graduate teaching assistant training, and develops and delivers workshops and other programming with faculty and campus partners.

The position identifies and follows up with students at risk of stopping out, helps students navigate barriers to continued enrollment, and serves as an initial contact for graduate student concerns. The specialist also provides administrative coordination for Grad-AI and assists with the development and assessment of graduate student success initiatives.

Required Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and either current enrollment in a graduate degree program or a completed graduate degree.

Required Related Experience

Two years of experience in student services, student programming, academic support, program administration, or a related area, including coordinating programs or events and delivering presentations, training, or workshops. Relevant graduate student experience may count toward this requirement.

Desirable Related Experience

Experience working with graduate students or in graduate education; coordinating orientation, teaching assistant training, or academic and professional development programs; conducting retention outreach; and assisting students with university processes and resources.

Experience coordinating faculty presenters, administering application or review processes.

Documents Needed to Apply

Cover Letter & CV/Resume Required

MTSU offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:

• Sick Leave
• Vacation Leave for Administrative/Classified Staff/12-month Faculty
• 13 paid University holidays
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Retirement plans
• Optional 401K and 403B Deferred Compensation Plans
• Educational benefits for the employee and their spouse and dependents

Click here for additional information.

MTSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligibility for U.S. employment is required before employment (Immigration Control Act of 1986). Clery Act crime statistics for MTSU are available at https://police.mtsu.edu/annual-security-report/ or by contacting MTSU Public Safety at [phone].

MTSU is a Tobacco & Drug-Free campus.

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you will be required to provide information about your criminal history to be considered.

For individuals requiring reasonable accommodation to apply: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with MTSU, please call 615-898-2929 or email [e-mail].

Application Review Date: For best consideration, please apply by November 13, 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position may be filled before the listed application review date of November 20, 2026.