Job Title: Academic Coordinator

Department:  Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program)

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Supervises:  Student employees

Reports to:  Director of the McNair Scholars Program

Location: Siena Heights University, Adrian, Michigan

PLEASE NOTE: THIS POSITION IS ONLY TEMPORARY AND UNTIL JUNE 2026!

About Siena Heights University:

Siena Heights University is a Catholic institution founded by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, located in beautiful Adrian, Michigan.  With a student population averaging 1,700 undergraduates and 163 graduate-level students: with approximately 300 employees.  The Siena Heights University mission is “to assist people to become more competent, purposeful, and ethical through a teaching and learning environment which respects the dignity of all” and the team at Siena supports the Catholic and Dominican mission and identity, which are inspired by the life and teachings of St. Catherine of Siena.

Position Overview:

Position is 100% federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education TRIO McNair Scholars Grant Program.  The position is premised on employee performance, annual budget, and grant renewal. This position is responsible for the day-to-day activities and services of the McNair Scholars grant program in cooperation with and direction from the Program Director.  Primary duties for the Academic Program Coordinator position are the performance of responsibilities directly related to the general business operations of the McNair Scholars Program, including academic counseling, day-to-day database management, and accounting management, supervising student employees, independent travel, and program marketing/recruitment support. This position’s primary duties include exercising discretion and independent judgment regarding matters of significance for the program, for reporting to the U.S. Department of Education for year-to-year grant review and renewal. The position reports to the McNair Program Director. The job description includes, but is not limited to:

Essential Responsibilities:

• Tracks and analyzes program data, including ongoing historical data entry and verification, and prepares information for the McNair Annual Performance Report and other requested data reports for reporting to the United States Department of Education. 

·       Plans and executes events for the program, such as graduate school fairs, group travel, etc.

·       Develop, interpret, and implement program policy related to the Academic Coordinator position and day-to-day program needs, including maintaining procedure manuals for the position and program.

• Manages the program’s day-to-day accounting processes, including broad discretion related to account reconciliation, processing budget payment forms, providing program budget reports, and strategic decision-making to align with and comply with university and federal grant guidelines. It also includes purchasing for travel, research supplies, etc.

·       Meets regularly with identified scholars for up to 10 years for Academic Counseling and program advising, including research guidance and assistance, coordinating tutoring, and Program resources for scholars.  Develops policies with input from the Director regarding appropriate curriculum scheduling that align with the Graduate application process, which may include application and completion of a Ph.D., Ed.D., or another terminal degree.

·       Occasional travel with scholars, as needed, including weekend, overnight/out-of-state travel and assistance with making arrangements, guidance regarding conference session selection, networking with potential academic leadership from other colleges and universities, identifying possible future educational programs represented at the conference, etc.

• Participates in professional onboarding development in advising and other appropriate topics.

·       Supervise the day-to-day duties of student employees for the program.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Experience, Abilities and Skills Required:

Education/Certification:

• Some graduate-level work or related research experience is required, including knowledge of the graduate school application, postbaccalaureate process, standards, and expectations. Master’s Degree preferred.

Professional Experience:

• Experience working with income-eligible, first-generation, and underserved students, preferably in a higher education setting.
• Experience in data entry, tracking, and analysis related to learning outcomes and databases for student achievement, retention, and graduation. 
• Experience with accounting practices, such as maintaining records, electronic entry, account reconciliation, spending, and reporting.
• Experience developing advertising and recruitment materials and events, social media interaction, and basic digital photography skills. 

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong communication, attention to detail, organizational, and record-keeping skills are required.

• Proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office Suite is required. Experience with Student Access Database and Quicken software is strongly preferred.
• Ability to understand and react appropriately to requests from various constituencies, such as students, prospective students, staff, faculty, and the public.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license, be able to drive private vendor rental vehicles, and meet Siena Heights’ requirements to drive campus vehicles.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

1. Must be able to travel, carry supplies, and interact with others for more than eight consecutive hours on a periodic schedule.  Must be able to perform sedentary work for up to 8 hours frequently.
2. Must be able to occasionally bend, stoop, lift and carry items less than 40 lbs.
3. Must be able to tolerate a variety of environmental changes due to office climate and traveling requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity & ADA Compliance

Siena Heights University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, service in the military and all other protected classes in the State of Michigan or as provided by Federal Law.  Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.  To ensure equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability, Siena Heights University will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified individual, unless undue hardship on the operation of the organization would result.