JOB SUMMARY
The Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities (FYPLC) is seeking a Program Coordinator who, under the direction of the Director of the Learning Communities program, will help administer the vibrant Learning Community program with residential and non-residential Learning Communities offered on the Storrs and regional campuses, and who will also have opportunities to engage with all areas of FYPLC which includes First Year Experience, Academic Support, and the Innovation Zone (FYPLCAACIZ).
FYPLC offers a menu of programs designed to assist students with their transition to college as well as aid in their persistence, success, and retention at the University of Connecticut. The Learning Community Program provides cohorts of students with opportunities to investigate areas of interest through faculty-led courses and co-curricular activities. Learning Communities offer a small college feel on a large campus; they promote meaningful and sustained interactions with faculty, staff, and student leaders; and they provide a holistic transformative structure within a culture of support with layers of mentoring that impact curricular coherence, deeper learning, student success, persistence, and engagement.
The candidate who will thrive in this position will be a creative, energetic, dedicated contributor and community builder who is accessible and responsive to students, faculty, and staff, and who fosters collaboration and a culture that promotes holistic student development. To be available to support students and initiatives, the individual must be willing and able to work in person and to occasionally work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, to support program activities.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Collaborates and consults with the Learning Community, University, and community partners on programming efforts, serving as an essential resource and expert on programs and best practices. Supports, contributes to, and represents the department at various events, meetings, committees, and activities. Collaborates and remains informed about programs and departments across campus, and helps students, as well as program constituents, navigate campus resources and opportunities effectively.
- Maintains budgets, monitors spending and manages LC funding proposals and projections, monitors purchases and expenditures, delegating when appropriate, reconciles transactions, and reviews and prepares financial reports.
- Event Management – leads the visioning, planning, development, implementation, management, and recruitment of people to participate in numerous large- and small-scale events, conferences, workshops, programs, activities, trips, and other relevant program activities, collaborating with LC Teams and other campus partners, following and shaping established policies and procedures, and ensuring success. Supports LC office broad programming, including events such as LC traditions such as the LC Kickoff, LC Field Day, and Month of Discovery/Research Connections, as well as individual LC programming efforts. Plans UConn Open House LC presentations and LC Showcase events. Plans and leads LC presentations and materials for Admissions events, Orientation, and other activities to welcome and engage students. May contribute to planning large department-wide events.
- Student Leadership – leads or co-leads a comprehensive tiered peer mentor program of LC Floor Mentors (FM), LC FM Teaching Assistants (TA), and LC FM Supervisory TA(s). This includes collaborating with LC Directors in recruiting, interviewing, and selecting students to serve as LC Floor Mentors, training directors on how to effectively work with Floor Mentors, managing challenges that arise, and developing and implementing onboarding/training and courses for LC Floor Mentors and student leaders. Teaches Educational Psychology (EPSY) 3000-level courses engaging over 55 Floor Mentors and several S/TAs. Collaborates with all areas of the office in planning and executing multi-day FYPLCAACIZ Peer Leader Summer Training which prepares LC Executive Council and LC Floor Mentors & S/TAs for the launch of the new year.
- Student Leadership – (co-)advises student groups, including the Learning Community Executive Council (LCEC) and Learning Community Council (LCC), recruiting, interviewing, selecting, training, and supervising participants, guiding students in leading meetings and engaging students in work to support LC activities and recruitment efforts. Support students in bringing various student leaders together regularly in LC Leadership Consortium meetings and activities.
- Manages the LC website, LC YouTube, LC Newsletter, LC social media outlets, and other outlets to effectively communicate program information, keeping current with trends. Creates engaging content for use in various department and partner outlets, for example, leading the creation of LC program videos for use in new student Orientation.
- Engages in marketing, promotional, and onboarding activities for the program. Leads multimedia projects and oversees the creation of media, electronic, and print promotional materials including videos, brochures, postcards, flyers, etc. Collaborates with University Communications and represents the office to multiple constituents, responding to inquiries about the program.
- Collaborates with Residential Life partners and LC Directors on LC Hall Director training and relationship building and LC RA selection.
- Assists in recruiting, interviewing, selecting, training, and supervising LC Graduate Assistants.
- Teaches at least one First Year Experience (FYE) course annually and mentors UConn Connects students who are struggling academically.
- Compiles, maintains, analyzes, and reports on data and program information. Participates in evaluating program effectiveness; identifies problems and makes or recommends changes. Prepares reports.
- Independently composes, prepares, and/or edits reference materials for programs including manual(s), syllabi, correspondence, presentations, and publicity material; develops and maintains position manual.
- Stays current on national standards for, and research on Learning Communities, and may represent the University’s programs on a national level through participation in relevant conferences.
- Works collaboratively to support all initiatives in FYPLC; responsible for developing and maintaining constructive, professional, and positive work relationships with faculty, staff, students, and all levels of university administrators, as well as external constituents.
- May supervise graduate and undergraduate student employees; may be appointed to serve on department and university committees.
- Responsible for special projects that require technical knowledge and understanding of the unit’s programs and activities that may be short-term, long-term, or ongoing.
- Required to occasionally work irregular hours, including evenings or weekends.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree. Three to four years of relevant experience. Demonstrated experience administering program services, activities, and events. Advanced written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to relate well to students, families, faculty, and campus and community partners. Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects. Ability to be an effective team player and also to work independently, solve problems, and approach challenges in a flexible and creative way. Knowledge of, and ability to learn and effectively apply technology as a means to communicate, manage, and share information and present material, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office, and virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom. Ability and willingness to foster a campus climate that is welcoming and supportive of the University of Connecticut’s diverse student body and encourages collaboration with and among campus constituencies. Willingness and ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours as needed to support program activities. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree in a relevant field. Experience working in higher education. Teaching or leading training or workshops experience. Ability to advise, guide, and work with students, program partners, and collaborators. Experience utilizing social media as a marketing and communications tool. Experience with multimedia projects. APPOINTMENT TERMS
This is a full-time permanent position. The University of Connecticut offers a competitive salary, outstanding benefits, and a highly desirable work environment. For information regarding benefits, visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/employee-benefits-overview/ . The salary is targeted to be in the low $60’s, commensurate with experience. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.
TO APPLY
Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs , Staff Positions, Search #498261 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references. In your applicant materials, please explain how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position as well as any preferred qualifications. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Review of applications will be ongoing and continue until the position is filled, with the review of applications beginning April 2, 2024.
All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp .
All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.
The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.