Student Services Program Specialists
Job Summary
The Student Services Program Specialists in the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering plays a critical role in supporting a high-quality, well-coordinated student experience from enrollment through graduation. This position assists with freshman orientation, coordinates strategic retention initiatives, with particular emphasis on improving freshman-to-sophomore retention rates, and develops programming to help strengthen student community connection.
Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu
Responsibilities
1. Orientation & Transition Support
- Assist department advisors in registration labs during orientation and transition periods.
- Responds to inquiries from prospective students (first-year and transfer) via email, phone, and virtual meetings and represents the college at prospective student events.
- Coordinate communications regarding retention activities, community resources, tutoring services, and career readiness opportunities.
2. Retention Strategy & Student Success
- Design, implement, and assess strategic retention initiatives that improve student persistence, academic success, and overall program outcomes.
- Collaborate with academic departments and campus partners to develop targeted interventions, monitor program effectiveness, and support annual retention planning and reporting.
- Collaborate with Career Services, Undergraduate Studies, Student Leadership & Involvement, Housing, Counseling Center and other campus partners to deliver coordinated student support.
- Assist in the coordination of convocation exercises and other student related events.
3. Tutoring & Academic Support Program Development
- Coordinate tutoring, peer mentoring, workshops, and other academic support programs in partnership with campus resources to enhance student learning and success.
- Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend improvements to expand access, participation, and student outcomes.
4. Student Petitions & Academic Exceptions
- Advise students regarding petitions for exceptions to policy, including late and retroactive withdrawals.
- Process and track General Education exceptions and related academic adjustments.
5. Scholarships Administration
- Support scholarship administration by assisting with application review, committee processes, student communications, eligibility verification, and required documentation.
- Monitor recipient eligibility and academic standing while ensuring compliance with institutional scholarship requirements.
6. Engineering Scholars Program Expansion
- Support the expansion and administration of the Engineering Scholars program to retain and challenge high-achieving students.
- Administer and support additional scholar programs such as the Grand Challenges Scholars Program, including semester planning meetings, portfolio review and certification, Canvas management, and program material updates.
7. Community Building & Student Engagement
- Develop and implement activities that foster belonging, engagement, and personal growth among engineering students.
- Support programming within Engineering Living Learning Communities in collaboration with Housing and Residential Education.
- Serve as liaison to student organizations and campus involvement offices to enhance engagement pathways.
- Lead and manage student organization events including Club Rush, showcases, and student-led programming; ensure compliance, safety, and institutional coordination.
8. Data Tracking, Reporting & Intervention Coordination
- Maintain student success data, program records, and reporting systems to monitor engagement, academic progress, retention, and program effectiveness.
- Utilize institutional systems to coordinate student outreach, monitor risk indicators, support interventions, and manage communication platforms and program resources.
Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:
Program Specialists, I: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience or a master's (or equivalency) degree.
Program Specialists, II: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.
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