Assistant Director for Student Support Initiatives

Assistant Director for Student Support Initiatives

Job Description Summary

Reports to: Associate Director for Student Engagement

The Assistant Director for Student Support Initiatives (ADSSI) plays an integral role in facilitating a culture of care and support for graduate and professional students at Penn. The ADSSI provides critical support for students on a range of issues through a collaborative model of outreach, advising, and intentional collaboration with campus partners.

The ADSSI serves as a go-to resource person on the Graduate Center team, providing guidance on a range of policy issues and resources to students, faculty, and staff. In addition to providing direct support through individual advising, the ADSSI helps connect students with other offices that support graduate students, including Student Intervention Services, Graduate Financial Counseling, Weingarten Center, Restorative Practices, ISSS, and other offices as needed. This position also co-facilitates the Student Parent and First Gen Advisory Committees.

This position works closely with the Exec Director, AD for Student Engagement, AD for Family Programs & campus partners to develop targeted outreach and resources for populations needing specialized support and advising, including international students, student parents, and students experiencing financial hardship. With direction and support from the Executive Director, this position will also participate in review and resource referrals in relation to a range of need-based grant programs, including the Graduate Emergency Fund and PhD Family and Insurance grant programs.

In consultation with the ED and AVP-Graduate Education, the ADSSI will process Family Leave and New Parent Accommodation requests for PhD students and monitor the delivery of backup care benefits for eligible Family Center members. In connection with this role, the ADSSI also shares in responsibility for oversight and management of Family Center memberships and benefits databases, working closely with relevant staff in Family Center and HR/Postdoctoral Affairs to verify membership benefits eligibility and member enrollment or affiliation status. The ADSSI creates additional student reports and maintains records needed for a range of programs administered by the Graduate Student Center requiring enrollment or other eligibility verification.

The ADSSI plays a leadership role in helping to cultivate a positive, student-centered environment that demands both high levels of individual responsibility and effective and meaningful collaboration with internal and external colleagues in order to best support the needs of over 18,000 graduate and professional students at Penn.

Job Responsibilities

• Advising and resource referrals. Directly support students through individual advising and connects students with other offices that support graduate students, including Student Intervention Services, Graduate Financial Counseling, Weingarten Center, Restorative Practices, ISSS, and other offices as needed. Assist staff and students with questions related to university-wide student policies and processes (LOA, accommodations, academic grievance) and case management. Provide guidance and resource referrals for special populations: parents, international students, low income, etc. Co-facilitate Student Parent and First Gen Advisory Committees.
• Grant review and administration. Assist with conducting review and resource referrals in relation to a range of need-based grant programs, including the Graduate Emergency Fund and PhD Family and Insurance grant programs. Provide immediate outreach and advising to applicants in response to emergency or critical needs.
• Outreach. Work closely with staff and partners to develop and deliver targeted outreach related to special student populations, resources, and initiatives throughout the student lifecycle. Assists with development and maintenance of up-to-date outreach materials, guidelines, and webpages on topics related to student support and needs.
• Enrollment and Eligibility Verification. Using Pennant systems, create and manage student reports and eligibility lists for a range of programs administered by the Centers (benefits, grants, ticketing, etc.). Oversee access and storage protocols to ensure compliance with all relevant privacy policies. Assist staff as needed with student eligibility-related queries.
• Memberships. Oversee and manage Family Center membership database to ensure accurate and up-to-date records. Provide final approval for new applicants, conduct quarterly status reviews, and coordinate with relevant staff in Family Center and HR/Postdoctoral Affairs to verify eligibility.
• Benefit Delivery: Assist with monitoring childcare benefits delivery for students, including collecting usage reports. Communicate with staff in HR and vendors as needed to address any system issues and generate regular reports on benefits utilization.
• Leave Requests. Process Family Leave and New Parent Accommodation requests for all PhD Students in accordance with University Family Leave process. Provide relevant guidance and resources to students, faculty, and staff in relation to student requests.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree and 2 to 3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Master's degree strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in student support, advising, case management, or student affairs within a higher education setting, particularly with graduate or professional student populations.
• Strong knowledge of or experience interpreting and applying university policies and processes related to leave, accommodations, student support services, or financial assistance.
• Experience working with special student populations, including student parents, international students, first-generation students, and students experiencing financial hardship.
• Proven ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and to navigate complex situations with sound judgment and empathy.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with experience partnering across offices such as financial counseling, student intervention services, HR, and international student support.
• Proficiency with data systems and reporting tools and the ability to manage eligibility-based programs, grants, or benefits is highly preferred.

Application Requirement

A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Provost's Center

Pay Range

$55,000.00 - $55,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.