McNair Scholars Director

Occupational Summary:

The McNair Scholars Program is funded through a U.S. Department of Education TRIO Grant. The purpose of the program is to provide research experience; academic/career/graduate school preparation and guidance to students who are low-income, first generation, or are underrepresented in doctoral programs. Continuation

of the position is dependent on grant renewal. This is a 12-month, full-time position, with some traveling during the week and on weekends - within and outside of the state - for professional development, student conferences and graduate school visits.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Manage the annual recruitment, application, and selection process of McNair scholars.
2. Coordinate and manage orientation, reflection, and all program operations for summer research activities.
3. Serve as primary program representative to communicate with faculty and college departments about the McNair Program and opportunities to collaborate to meet program objectives.
4. Utilize qualitative and quantitative methods to effectively assess scholar outcomes
5. Based on program expectations and assessment results, guide scholars in developing individual objectives during McNair participation period.
6. Manage McNair operating budget - overseeing annual budget projections, monthly budget updates and daily operations spending in conjunction with the Specialist of TRIO Programs, federal grant specialist, and Accounting staff.
7. Oversee grant compliance in relation to current grant proposal in conjunction with the Specialist of TRIO Programs.
8. Assist in grant research and writing for the next federal grant cycle.
9. Provide direct oversight of comprehensive database system for managing all student and alumni information.
10. Supervise Program and Retention Coordinator and student assistants during the academic year and summer.
11. Provide expectations and scholar information to mentors.
12. Be accessible to students to provide career and academic consultation as needed.
13. Work with Program and Retention Coordinator to maintain individual files on all participants in a secure and confidential manner.
14. Assist students in the graduate school application and financial aid processes.
15. Assist scholars in their search for a second-summer research project.
16. Document student contact and submit reports periodically to the Specialist of TRIO Programs.
17. Develop and implement appropriate program activities related to student and program objectives.
18. Help arrange and facilitate student / mentor relationships.
19. Assess student requests and coordinate student travel arrangements for participation in workshops, conferences, and research presentations.
20. Participate in professional development throughout the year, to include conferences and workshops in conjunction with McNair and our national TRIO advocacy organization.
21. Take initiative to seek out additional funding sources for McNair Scholars to pursue graduate school studies, second summer research opportunities, or other McNair-related needs not covered by the federal grant.
22. Teach classes and workshops as needed around research design, applying to graduate school and other funding sources, and other topics related to the program objectives.

Credentials and Experience:

1. Masters Degree in Education or relevant field, Doctorate preferred.
2. Minimum of two years of related experience working in higher education advising students on planning for academic success.
3. Experience working with grant-funded educational programs.
4. Experience working with students from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly first generation, low-income, and students under-represented in Ph.D. programs or come from this background.
5. Knowledge of current graduate school admission requirements.
6. Commitment to fostering an inclusive working environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Ability to foster a cooperative learning and working environment when interacting with diversely represented students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and community members.
2. Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with the wider campus community and key constituencies in the greater Beloit community.
3. Knowledge of various summer research programs.
4. Ability to work one-on-one with students on all aspects of the application process for research programs and graduate school.
5. Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate program services.
6. Effective written and oral communication skills.
7. Excellent interpersonal skills.
8. Commitment to educational opportunity and the ability to articulate the goals of the program to the Beloit College community and to others.
9. Ability to work some evenings and weekends.