UConn Careers

JOB SUMMARY

The Institute for Student Success (ISS) Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities (FYPLC) is seeking an Educational Program Manager 1 to oversee the planning, coordination, and implementation of the extensive First Year Experience (FYE) program. FYPLC programs are designed to assist students in their transition from high school to college and to aid in their success. FYE is a high-impact, life-transformative practice shown to be beneficial for college students from many backgrounds. FYE constitutes a suite of courses designed to support new students’ transition into the University.

The Educational Program Manager 1 provides leadership, programmatic coordination, and administrative oversight for a robust suite of University (UNIV) courses, as well as recruitment, selection, and training for faculty, staff, and graduate student instructors from across campus. Additionally, this position will coordinate an extensive peer education program including instruction of a 3000-level Educational Psychology (EPSY) course.

The position will report to the Executive Director and will be a critical member of a leadership team coordinating and integrating services including Academic Support, Learning Communities, and the Innovation Zone makerspace. The successful candidate will be a leader in developing curriculum, programs, and activities to build a sense of belonging, agency, and community across students’ academic, personal, social, and cultural dimensions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Manages the day-to-day operation and administration of the FYE program, including management of a large suite of courses offered on all UConn campuses, as well as recruiting, certifying, training, and evaluating instructors and peer mentors.

• Supervises professional staff, as well as graduate and undergraduate student employees.
• Develops & designs course curriculum, lesson plans, and student learning outcomes that meet the needs of students while integrating University services and programs. Collaborates with the Learning Community program on instructor training and support; and develops courses/curriculum for specific populations such as first-generation and international students.
• Leads a comprehensive tiered peer mentor program of over one hundred FYE Mentors, FYE Teaching Assistants, and Supervising Teaching Assistants. This includes recruiting, interviewing, and selecting students to serve as FYE Mentors, matching mentors with instructors, training instructors on how to effectively work with Mentors, managing challenges that arise, and developing and implementing training and courses for FYE Mentors and student leaders.
• Teaches EPSY 3000-level course(s) and multiple First Year Experience (FYE) sections each semester.
• Collaborates and remains informed about programs and departments across campus to help students navigate campus resources effectively and to develop expert-led lessons, campus field trips, or other opportunities for incorporation into courses.
• Works with and serves on the Faculty Courses and Curriculum Oversight Board (FCCOB) managing meetings, activities, and record keeping, and responds to, and implements, board recommendations and requests.
• Manages the planning and execution of instructor training, peer leader summer training, and an annual conference on the first-year experience.
• Oversees and maintains FYE website, weekly newsletter, and social media outlets.
• Engages in the marketing FYE courses and promotional activities for the program. Represents the office to multiple constituents, responding to inquiries about the program, and may serve on university committees.
• Compiles, maintains, analyzes, and reports on data and program information related to the retention, persistence, and graduation of first-year students, as well as other areas of inquiry. Participates in evaluating program and instructor effectiveness; identifies problems and makes or recommends changes.
• Leads course scheduling and enrollment; works with relevant programs and individuals across campus to exchange information relevant for students participating in programs, such as the Registrar’s Office, Advising Council and Advising offices, School and College Undergraduate Programs offices, Orientation, etc.
• Collaborates with regional campuses on course instruction and curriculum that is relevant to the goals of the program and the needs of various student populations.
• Seeks faculty and expert staff to teach UNIV 1820 topical first-year seminars.
• Prepares reports as requested, including contributing to, compiling, and/or preparing annual reports for FYP&LC programs.
• Independently composes, prepares, and/or edits reference materials for programs including instructor manual(s), syllabi, correspondence, presentations, and publicity material; develops and maintains position manual.
• Stays current on national standards for, and research on, the first-year experience and represents the University’s programs on a national level through participation in relevant conferences.
• Works collaboratively to support all sub-units and initiatives in the Institute for Student Success & FYP&LC; 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.
• 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

• Master's degree in a relevant field and at least four years of relevant experience.
• Two years of experience must be serving as an advanced/senior team member or working as a project lead.
• Demonstrated significant experience with first-year and new student transitions at the college level.
• Working knowledge of college student development.
• Experience planning, organizing, and leading workshops, trainings, and/or related instructor and/or mentor materials.
• Experience in teaching, curriculum design, and evaluation.
• Advanced written and oral communication and interpersonal skills and ability to relate well to students, families, faculty, and campus and community partners.
• Experience supporting diverse student populations.
• Demonstrated knowledge using Microsoft products including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.
• Experience compiling, maintaining, and analyzing student retention and persistence data.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctoral degree in higher education and student affairs or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to independently implement programs and identify and resolve day-to-day problems.
• Experience managing complex short- and long-term projects.
• Experience working with students at a large university.
• FYE or equivalent transition-type course curriculum development experience.
• Experience working with Learning Communities.
• Staff supervision experience.

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 target salary for this position begins at $80,000 and will be 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 #497280 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Candidates should be sure to reflect which minimum and preferred qualifications they meet in their application materials. Evaluation of applications will begin on April 6 and continue until the position is filled. 

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.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.