Graduate Program Prrofessional

position OVERVIEW:

The Department of Communication Studies is seeking a Graduate Program Professional to provide primary support for the operations, advising, and admissions of the doctoral program in Communication Studies. This position is expected to advise and make sound recommendations to the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), Department Chair, and Administrator on curriculum management, graduate program student services, and operations management, while also appropriately consulting with and advising graduate students on employment/student experience. Communication Studies comprises 12 faculty, 15 instructional P&A staff, 4 office staff, 3 Casual employees, 2 student workers, and 22 graduate students in the Ph.D. program.
This is an in-person position with some hybrid flexibility. The current expectation is to work in the office four days per week, though this is subject to change based on the needs of the department. Work hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
APPOINTMENT DETAILS: This is a 100%-time, 12-month, Civil Service continuous position. This position reports to the Administrator.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES – The employer reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Curriculum Management – 35%

• In collaboration with Administrator, Department Chair, and DGS, develop the department curriculum annually, to include creation of records in the university system (CCS), partnering with faculty and instructional staff to ensure logistical details are accurately managed, and assisting the DGS and department Chair in managing/balancing course enrollments.
• Oversee graduate assistant appointments, including verifying funding sources and complying with program and employment policies.
• Oversee undergraduate student appointments, including recruitment and assignment tasks.
• Prepare and submit course and degree revisions or new offerings.
• Analyze the curricular needs of other university units that require communication courses for their degree programs and maintain the communication curriculum to ensure accessibility.
• In collaboration with the Administrator and DGS, establish and maintain the schedule of funding allocations to satisfy support obligations for graduate students and support the department’s curriculum needs for graduate assistants and instructors using all available funds.

Graduate Program and Student Services Operations Management – 35%

• In collaboration with the DGS and administration plan and implement annual operations, including summer operations and events.
• In collaboration with the DGS and the Communication Studies Graduate Student Association, design, develop and implement innovative student services initiatives.
• Oversee graduate advising/student services content, including, but not limited to, maintaining website content for the department, and gathering material for social media outlets, electronic newsletter publications, etc.
• Gather and analyze data, create reports, and maintain a database for the internal and external requestors dealing with graduate student profiles, sources of support, job placement, etc.
• Maintain graduate student academic degree progress database, ensuring accuracy and completion.
• In collaboration with the DGS and the Awards Committee, coordinate annual award process including gathering appropriate data, facilitating award events, and submitting award payments into university systems.
• In collaboration with the PhD Exam Committee, facilitate and administer the written preliminary exams each year, and assist with preliminary and final oral exams as needed.
• Make recommendations to the DGS and faculty advisors to ensure that graduate students attain timely ABD status, develop and maintain a robust system for monitoring progress in this regard.
• Establish, implement, assess, and improve best practices in recruiting graduate students. Oversee the processing and evaluation of all PhD program applications.
• Partner with the Graduate School admissions office to annually update the admissions applications, process admissions decisions and determine international student degree equivalencies and Application qualifications.
• Coordinate the annual recruitment process, including arranging applicant visits, events, meetings with faculty appropriate to their research areas, etc.
• Serve as main contact to UMN undergraduate students who plan to apply for the graduate program, providing academic advising on PhD program prerequisites.
• Create and maintain channels for communicating policies to students and other interested parties and share them accordingly.

Academic Advising – 20%

• Advise current and prospective students on the graduate student experience.
• Coordinate annual progress reviews of the school’s graduate students.
• Advise students through the process of maintaining academic degree progress through the Graduate Planning and Audit System and resolve registration issues.
• Advise students to increase participation in department opportunities for real-world experience such as consulting, educational program development, pipeline development), and career networking opportunities.
• Advise students in unique circumstances, for example, regarding academic or health accommodation and leaves of absence.
• Provide enrollment and employment verification letters for current students.
• Advise graduate students regarding their options for financial support and changes in their support packages.
• Partner with the DGS in reviewing and responding to student grievances.

Policy Development & Implementation – 10%

• In collaboration with the DGS, Department Chair, and Administrator as part of the leadership team, develop policies that address the department’s undergraduate and graduate academic priorities and goals.
• Interpret college and university academic and other policies for Communication Studies faculty and staff.
• Maintain the Graduate Student Handbook, including updating and developing policies and procedures when needed.
• Provide continuous efforts in maintaining department policies and procedures, streamlining, enhancing, and improving effectiveness and efficiency.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent plus two years relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience to equal at least six years.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with faculty, staff, students, and administrators in higher education.
• Experience working with admissions and graduate student programs preferred.
• Proven financial, administrative and operations skills.
• Commitment to and experience collaborating with diverse individuals and groups.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze & communicate complex issues from multiple frames of reference and perspectives.

Pay Range: $47,840/year – $60, 320/year OR $23.00/hour – $29.00/hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section.

REQUIRED:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.