Assistant Director
- Employer
- The University of Kansas
- Location
- University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
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- Administrative Jobs
- Institutional & Business Affairs, Alumni Relations & Development
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
The Madison and Lila Self Graduate Programs department provides financial support and professional development opportunities for promising graduate student leaders at the University of Kansas. Madison and Lila Self were deeply motivated by the idea that developing and investing in young leaders was vital for a successful future. In 1989, the Self’s launched and permanently endowed the flagship program, the Self Graduate Fellowship. With the addition of a scholarship in 2014, the department now administers two distinct programs: the Self Graduate Fellowship (SGF) and the Self Memorial Scholarship (SMS). Both programs support graduate students at KU and follow the Self’s mission to “identify, recruit, and provide development opportunities for exceptional students who demonstrate the promise to make significant contributions to their fields of study and society as a whole.”
Position Overview:
The Assistant Director manages the educational programmatic and curricular areas of the department, including the following: the SGF Fellow Development Program, the SMS Scholar Development Program, the Professional Development Awards, and alumni relations network for the Self Graduate Programs department.
The Assistant Director serves as one of four full-time staff members with responsibility for implementing the SGF and SMS as specified by Gift Letters and a set of donor-driven Guidelines. This work is accomplished in collaboration with the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies (the Managing Trustee), the SGF Board of Trustees, and SMS Advisory Board.Job Description80% - Education Program Management
- Coordinate the four-year SGF Fellow Development Program to meet the goals established in the Guidelines. Develop and manage annual curricular program plan and budget. Organize and manage presentation of programs and trainings on a regular schedule annually – including Fall Skill Session, Spring Skill Session, Holiday Luncheon and Poster Session, Policy Luncheons, Communication Coaching Series, Government and Science Policy Seminar (held in Washington, D.C.), and International Seminar (held in Europe). The travel seminars are each hosted once every other year. Travel is required.
- Manage the Professional Development Awards applications, review, policies, reimbursements, travel authorizations, and records associated with the award. Identify needs and opportunities to support fellows and scholars in effective use of the award through research of opportunities, connections with alumni, and tracking of experiences. Inform use of award to internal and external stakeholders.
- Coordinate the SMS Scholar Development Program – calendar, logistics, curriculum, speakers, readings, transcript.
- Communicate program plans with Self Graduate Fellows and Self Memorial Scholars.
- Develop an international curricular experience for the fellows to complement their academics and the SGF Fellow Development Program.
- Conduct research to identify topics and content appropriate to graduate student audiences.
- Conduct research locally and nationally to identify, select, and recruit speakers with skills in presenting professional development programs and trainings for graduate student participants.
- Negotiate contracts for speakers/facilitators, events, and travel accommodations; provide documentation for payment processes.
- Set standards for program quality in collaboration with Director; evaluate programs and assess effectiveness in meeting program goals. Assess learning outcomes.
- Plan annual SGF Symposium. Coordinate schedule, speaker, alumni panelists, venue, food, promotion, invitations. Collaborate with all SGF stakeholders for annual event.
- Annually hire, train, and supervise a Graduate Assistant for Self Graduate Programs department. Provide cross-course learning opportunities with GA academic discipline and department responsibilities.
- Coordinate the Society of Self Fellows (SSF), the SGF alumni network.
- Create year-long strategic plan for SSF to further engagement from alumni and support current fellows.
- Communicate with alumni to maintain relationship with the SGF and to promote participation in SSF activities.
- Manage the SSF Board of Governors: coordinate annual election to the Board, plan SSF annual meeting, assist Board with planning and implementation of activities.
- Produce electronic newsletters.
- Analyze data on alumni regarding time to degree, career placement, and career achievement for department and institutional reporting.
- Evaluate SSF programs and assess effectiveness in meeting program and donor goals.
- Joint activities for all staff include the following: support current fellows and scholars; work and attend all fellow and scholar development programs and alumni events; promote the SGF and SMS; communicate with faculty mentors; participate in meetings of the SGF Board of Trustees and SMS Advisory Board; and follow the donor-driven Guidelines and Gift Letters.
- Assume related responsibilities as designated by the Director of Self Graduate Programs.
- Master’s degree in related field and three (3) years of related full-time work experience – OR – Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years of related full-time work experience.
- Experience in program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation in a higher education setting as evidenced in application materials.
- Prior experience managing detailed processes as demonstrated in application materials.
- One (1) year supervisory experience.
- Experience in collaborating with colleagues, especially faculty and staff in a higher education setting, to achieve goals as demonstrated in application materials.
- Strong written communication skills demonstrated by application materials.
- Experience working with graduate students in a higher education setting as evidenced in application materials.
- Experience with professional development training and educational curriculum as shown in application materials.
- Experience with alumni relations and programming as demonstrated in application materials.
- Experience with budget management, especially Endowment funds as evidenced in application materials.
- Experience with higher education policies, including state and Endowment policies as shown in application materials.
- Knowledge of Canva, InDesign, Illustrator, LinkedIn, social media platforms, and/or Qualtrics as evidenced in application materials.
- Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications. Resume. List of three (3) professional references.
Application review begins Monday, March 24, 2025 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified. Contact Information to ApplicantsStefani Buchwitz
Director, Self Graduate Programs
buchwitz@ku.eduAdvertised Salary Rangestarts at $65,000, commensurate with experienceWork ScheduleM-F 8a-5pApplication Review BeginsMonday March 24, 2025Anticipated Start DateMonday April 21, 2025Apply to Job
Organization
Working at the University of Kansas
Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.
The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.
The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.
KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.
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Instruction
KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.
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The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.
Service
The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.
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KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.
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The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.
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KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.
Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.
Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.
Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.
Making KU Your Home
Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.
At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.
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