Graduate Affairs Academic Advisor - Penn Engineering

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Graduate Affairs Academic Advisor - Penn Engineering

Job Profile Title

Coordinator B

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Director for Graduate Affairs, the Graduate Affairs Advisor (GAA) serves as an academic advisor for graduate on-campus master’s and PhD Engineering students. The GAA engages students in decision-making processes on academic matters during weekly advising hours and counsels students about programs of study, basic registration, and academic policies. The GAA works to ensure students receive accurate, timely, and holistic advising services to support student success, retention, and program completion. Additionally, the GAA serves as a school-level point of contact for students in the on-campus Accelerated Master’s 4+ 1 program. As a member of the Graduate Affairs team, the GAA participates in yearly academic events, including Commencement and New Student Orientation, and is responsible for coordinating meetings such as GAC & MAC.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities:

• GENERAL ADVISING

  Serve as an advisor for graduate students during weekly advising hours. Meet with and counsel students about programs of study, basic registration, and academic policies. Respond to student inquiries via email. Collaborate with graduate program administrators to aid in the resolution of academic issues and concerns.

• SPECIALIZED DEGREE PROGRAMS

  Serve as the school-level point of contact for the Accelerated Master’s (AM 4+1) Program. Meet with and advise undergraduate students on the AM program and assist with communications to undergraduate students, staff, and faculty. Coordinate the External Accelerated Master’s 4+1 programs (excluding MOUs). Conduct off-campus information sessions and advise potential AM 4+1 students before applying and once matriculated.

• MEETING COORDINATION

  Coordinate key monthly & semesterly meetings, including room reservations, calendar invites, agendas & minutes: Graduate Affairs Committee (GAC) - monthly, Master’s Affairs Committee (GAC) - monthly, Graduate Administrator meetings - monthly, Student Advisory Board Meetings - semesterly​

• INTERNATIONAL ADMINISTRATION
  Process CPT, OPT, and RCL requests in iPenn. Advise students with visa-related issues. Collaborate with ISSS colleagues on immigration and visa-related issues.

• EVENT SUPPORT
  Support Graduate New Student Orientation, Graduate Awards ceremony, and commencement ceremonies for both master’s and PhD students.

• ACADEMIC PROBATION

  Oversee the probation process for master’s students. Notify students on probation on a semester basis and track academic performance. Monitoring CAN outreach.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and two to three years of experience in higher education working with graduate students or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• A Master's degree in higher education administration, student affairs, or a related field is strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated experience with academic advising and knowledge of best advising practices.

• Knowledge of and experience working with international students is preferred.

• Experience using problem-solving skills to identify and document student academic needs patterns.

• Demonstrated understanding of the intersectional needs and concerns of diverse student populations in STEM.

• Proficient with Google Workspace, MS Office 365, and able to adapt to new tools and technologies.

• Demonstrated organizational and planning skills to set work priorities under the pressure of deadlines.

• Demonstrated record of personal and professional initiative, flexibility, and careful judgment.

• High attention to detail and confidentiality.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and as a team member.

• Cover letter highly encouraged.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Pay Range

$55,962.00 - $65,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay