STEM Alliance Site Coordinator (UMNTC)

This Site Coordinator position works directly with the students in the program, coordinates engagement with student support staff across the institutions and organizations, serves as one of the key planners for Alliance events, and fully participates in the planning and evaluation of the program.

This is a 100%, 12-months annually renewable appointment in the Academic Professional series (classification 9703AC-Student Services Pro 3-Student Advocacy and Support).

Essential Functions:

Recruit and support LS-NSSA scholars through the following (50%):

• Recruit non-transfer, new first-year, and currently enrolled eligible students to the LS-NSSA programs.
• Engage and support students accepted to LS-NSSA through academic advising and appropriate campus referrals, and regular communications.
• Build relationships with students through one-on-one meetings and create opportunities for students to connect.
• Develop relevant STEM programming for new and established students engaging them in the Alliance.
• Facilitate and manage opportunities to engage students in undergraduate research, graduate school preparation, and internship opportunities. Manage the following programs:
  • MNDrive Research Program and other programs as identified
  • Bridge to the Doctorate
• Cultivate student leaders in the Alliance, and provide guidance to their program development and engagement as peer mentors.
• Establish relationships with leaders of student organizations and provide support for their professional development and programmatic efforts (AISES, NSBE, MANRRS, NOBCChE, SASE, SHPE)
• Establish relationships with faculty, graduate students, and other programs/organizations that work to support STEM and/or underrepresented students.

Coordinate North Star STEM Alliance engagement across UM Twin Cities STEM colleges (15%):

• Establish and maintain relationships with student support staff in other STEM colleges, including the College of Biological Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, and College of Science and Engineering, to build the presence of the LS-NSSA programs in each college and participate as an active partner in their efforts to serve a diverse student body.
• Establish and maintain relationships with STEM faculty and directors of undergraduate studies as a way of expanding awareness of diversity and inclusion, promoting Alliance programs to upper division students, and identifying faculty mentors for undergraduate research.
• Participate in Alliance leadership meetings with associate deans of STEM colleges and/or co-principal investigators.

Support Alliance-wide events, programs, website, and communications (25%):

• Plan and execute with the support of the Transfer Coordinator Alliance-wide major events, including annual Kick-Off, Jump Start Your STEM Job Search, Summer Opportunities Expo, and Women in STEM Networking, that attract students from across UMTC and Alliance institutions.
• Prepare, maintain and monitor with the Transfer Coordinator the event and programming communication, newsletter, northstarstem.org website and social media tools to disseminate information to students.
• Recruit and coordinate LS-NSSA student travel to national scientific meetings as participants and presenters.
• Plan, organize, and prepare logistics for travel to national meetings and STEM-related conferences for LS-NSSA students at UMTC and Alliance partners (as needed).

Leadership, Strategy, and Evaluation (10%):

• Participate in the leadership, strategic planning, and evaluation of diversity programing, STEM education interventions, undergraduate retention, and programs for traditionally underrepresented STEM students. Work closely with the North Star STEM Alliance leadership to develop high quality, mission-centered programs and initiatives. Identify institutional practices which adversely affect underrepresented students.
• Collaborate with Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions to develop and implement recruitment strategies specific to underrepresented audiences that increase success in attracting and matriculating underrepresented STEM students to UMN TC.
• Benchmark the outcomes of STEM undergraduate diversity initiatives against data from similar programs. Assist Alliance Director and internal evaluator with the development of key metrics that capture the value and performance of LS-NSSA initiatives, and track and report the measures. Use data to drive continuous improvement in LS-NSSA activities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree plus at least four years of relevant experience working in a student services office or related setting, or master's degree plus at least two years of relevant experience.
• Experience developing and implementing STEM programming with undergraduate students.
• Substantial understanding of issues and strategies for retention of underrepresented students and studying STEM disciplines in predominantly white higher education institutions.
• Experience working with underrepresented populations in STEM, especially in higher education.
• Knowledge of and experience with socialization and professionalization into STEM disciplines.
• Exceptional organization, written and oral communication skills; strong presentation skills.
• Commitment to the values and active participation and experience in diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice advocacy.
• An understanding of student development with experience in developing and implementing student-focused programs.
• Ability to work well and communicate with diverse populations, including students, faculty, staff, and employers.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.
• Proven ability to oversee multiple tasks with attention to detail, prioritize, and problem-solve.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS;

• Master's degree in counseling, student affairs/personnel, higher education, or a related discipline.
• At least 2-3 years of experience working in student affairs in higher education
• Understanding of student development theories
• Familiarity with the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus.
• Experience working with students in STEM majors.
• Positive, motivated, and enthusiastic work style.
• Demonstrated experience advising/counseling small groups of students and giving presentations.

The Louis Stokes North Star STEM Alliance (LS-NSSA) is a partnership of 16 Minnesota colleges and universities and three community organizations committed to supporting underrepresented minority students earning bachelor’s degrees in STEM – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The primary goal of the Alliance is to double the number of underrepresented minority students receiving STEM bachelor’s degrees.

The Alliance is funded by the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP), a National Science Foundation grant, with additional support from 3M Foundation and partner institutions

More information about the North Star STEM Alliance is available at https://northstarstem.org

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning.  We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also 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 Scholarship
• 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

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