Job Description

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Position Title:

McNair Scholars Program Coordinator

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Academic Program Manager

Job Duties:

The McNair Program Coordinator reports to and works in close collaboration with the Program Director to support students and ensure that the program is implemented according to the goals and outcomes described in the Department of Education TRIO McNair grant. The primary responsibilities of the Program Coordinator focus on the student-facing elements that are aligned with grant outcomes. The Program Coordinator supports students in preparing graduate school applications, reviewing graduate school offers, and coordinating all student travel to research conferences and/or prospective graduate programs. The Program Coordinator supports prospective participants throughout the application process, and assists the Program Director with all phases of recruitment including scheduling and attending interviews and making admissions decisions. The Program Coordinator tracks academic progress of all program participants, and is responsible for obtaining and reporting all data relevant to the program and grant goals to the Program Director, including preparing reports for institutional and federal assessment purposes. The Program Coordinator co-designs the annual and summer curriculum, and instructs as needed. The Program Coordinator plans events and is responsible for managing the program office, including supervising the program’s Administrative Assistant and student office workers. Travel, including driving, to accompany students on grant-related activities is expected and University driver authorization is required

The McNair Scholars Program is housed in the division of Access, Belonging & Student Engagement. This position is fully funded by federal TRIO program grant funding from the Department of Education, and is subject to annual review and reappointment based on performance criteria and availability of grant funding.

The review of applications starts on August 7, 2026 Applications received on or before August 7th are prioritized and review will continue until the position(s) is/are filled. Initial interviews will be conducted virtually, with shortlisted candidates invited to campus.

UW-La Crosse does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 608-785-8013.

The UWL McNair Scholars Program is a federally funded "Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement” TRIO Program , serving UWL students since 2009. The program prepares eligible participants for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. Participants must meet federal eligibility guidelines and have demonstrated strong academic potential and desire to participate in undergraduate and graduate research. Participants must be citizens or nationals of the United States or meet the residency requirements for federal student financial assistance, and meet at least one of the federal McNair Program eligibility criteria (low income, first generation college student and/or be a member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education). The program considers applications from eligible students in all majors that could lead to a Ph.D. as the terminal degree. Supports provided through the program include paid undergraduate research opportunities under the guidance of a faculty mentor, graduate school application and GRE fee assistance, travel for conferences and graduate school visits, and individual mentoring and advising. The program also provides opportunities to engage in a broad range of cultural events, mindfulness training, and other educational programming designed to improve financial literacy and preparedness for graduate study.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Student Success:

• Provide personal, career, and graduate school advising to program participants
• Co-design the summer and academic year seminar curriculum and together with the seminar leader(s) and Program Director, provide participants with research guidance and direction, including information on presentation and publication of results
• Assist Program Director with identifying faculty mentors, and ensuring mentors are trained and familiar with program expectations
• Support participants with graduate school search and application processes
• undefined
• Gather and provide information to participants about campus resources
• Track academic progress of all program participants
• Report regularly to Program Director about student progress and recommend programmatic and/or individual interventions as necessary
• Conduct and document exit interviews for graduating participants

Office Management:

• Hire and supervise student workers and tutors
• Supervise Administrative Assistant
• Approve timesheets
• Purchase office supplies
• Create expense and reimbursement reports for department purchases
• Work with participants to pay for research supplies, graduate school application fees, and other financial needs as aligned with the program budget
• Work with Program Director and Office Support Staff to input and verify participant data in the participant data tracking system (Blumen)
• Maintain files and database of McNair participants during program and for 10 years after graduation
• Create and maintain a program policies and practices manual

Recruitment Activities:

• Assist Program Director with identifying and communicating with potentially eligible participants
• Meet with potential applicants to discuss program requirements and benefits, and assist them with the application process
• Verify and document eligibility of applicants prior to interviews
• Work with Program Director to arrange and conduct applicant interviews
• Promote the program at recruiting events, appropriate classes and student group meetings, and through campus publications, social media, and other outward facing avenues
• Collaborate with other campus programs that support first-generation and underrepresented students
• Plan and implement fall and spring open houses and information sessions
• Meet regularly with Program Director to ensure program is meeting designed outcomes

Other duties:

• Ongoing professional development through required trainings, self-study, participation in TRIO regional and national trainings, and other opportunities in alignment with grant goals
• As assigned by the Program Director, reflective of unit and divisional mission and values

Travel & Event Planning:

• Plan activities, workshops, and cultural engagement events in alignment with grant goals
• Arrange graduate school campus visits, conference attendance, and academic enrichment activities for participants in alignment with grant goals
• Arrange for transportation and accompany participants on all group events. Travel for grant-related student activities and university driver authorization is required.
• Assist participants with all travel documentation and arrangements
• Submit requests for cash advances for participants per diems
• Create expense reports for reimbursement for additional expenses
• Book travel and arrange for credit card authorizations
• Plan group campus visits to universities and research presentations

Department:

McNair Scholars Program

Compensation:

$ 59,200 / year

Required Qualifications:

• Research-based master’s degree
• 2+ years of experience working in college or university student services setting
• Demonstrated understanding of the challenges experienced by the target student population, and experience supporting their success
• Demonstrated oral & written communication skills and strong attention to detail
• The ability to have and maintain a valid driver’s license, and drive a vehicle on University/State business

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree
• TRIO experience
• Expertise implementing and/or developing academic or system policies
• Event & travel planning experience
• Experience teaching at the college/post-secondary level
• Experience as a member of one or more of the populations served by this grant

How to Apply:

Required application documents

Cover letter (that addresses the required and preferred qualifications)

CV / Resume

3-5 References with contact information

Contact Information:

Adrienne Loh aloh@uwlax.edu

Special Notes:

Application deadlines
TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Priority consideration is given to those candidates who apply by the listed ‘First Review Date’. Applications received after that date may be considered at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or if you are not able to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact the Office of Human Resources.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWL is a state agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWL will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC & Reference Check Policy
All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For the UWL Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.uwlax.edu/student-life/student-resources/annual-security-report/ or contact the University Police Department at 608.785.9000.

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS
Your benefits add an additional 40%+ to the overall financial package from the university.
Highlights include:

• Paid vacation for 12-month positions.

• Excellent flexible health insurance with low co-pays and good coverage.

• Paid holidays and paid sick days.

• After 5 years of employment, you become vested in our retirement system which ensures income post-career.

• Benefits at UWL are highly competitive with local industry and some of the strongest in state and nation.

Benefit eligibility is determined at the point of hire. This information is provided for illustrative purposes only. Benefits are also pro-rated based on the appointment percentage.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.