Human Resources

Summary

The STEM Success Coordinator is a dynamic professional staff member in Student Support and Mentorship under the Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success. This position is responsible for promoting and driving the mission of Student Support and Mentorship to optimize the success of all students. Student Support and Mentorship provides students with an extra hand in understanding their academics, social support, and how to navigate their time on the Michigan Tech campus. Student Support and Mentorship engages in intentional outreach and program development that fosters belonging and retention, enabling academic thriving, graduation, and post-graduation opportunities in the workforce or pursuing advanced degrees. Under the supervision of the director of Student Support and Mentorship and secondary supervision from the PI of the Scholarships in Science Technology, Engineering, and Math (S-STEM) grant, the coordinator is responsible for implementing and assessing programs and events that align with the departmental and unit mission. This includes collaborating with program directors and other university departments to deliver local and national career and professional development opportunities. The coordinator will also provide outreach to new students, introducing them to center resources and other support across campus. The ideal individual must be committed to a student-centered philosophy, engagement, and practices, and be a strong collaborator.

This position is partially funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation, which extends through the 2029-2030 academic year.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

• Conduct intentional outreach to first-generation and low-income students to promote their belonging, retention, and graduation from Michigan Tech
  
• Plan and facilitate all S-STEM Scholarships for Success: Husky PAWS (Pathways for Academic Wellness and Success) academic year programming as well as Summer Bridge programming, in combination with NACME student programming
  
• Serve as the main point of contact and coordinate programming and activities for the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) program.
  
• Collaborate with Student Support and Mentorship and Student Leadership and Involvement staff to organize and facilitate welcome week programming.
  
• Connect with S-STEM, NACME, Michigan College and University Partnership (MICUP), and Husky Connect students during program operations for 1:1 check-ins to ensure students feel welcome on campus and resolve any potential issues
  
• Lead promotion of the Student Support and Mentorship Study Away Scholarship and selection of awardees. Assist with S-STEM Study Away opportunities.
  
• Coordinate with admissions and support recruitment efforts for S-STEM and NACME programs. This includes traveling to recruitment and admissions events.
  
• Assist with the management of student staff associated with S-STEM
  
• Collaborate with office staff for monthly Student Support and Mentorship operations to achieve the mission and serve on committees representing Student Support and Mentorship as needed.
  
• Accompany NACME and S-STEM students to regional and national conferences and events.
  
• Attend events and work flexible hours as needed. Some evenings and weekends will be required.
  
• Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in the university’s continuous improvement initiatives.
  
• Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
  
• Actively engage in creating an inclusive, welcoming, and professional work environment for staff, students, and visitors.
  
• Assist with collecting program data and other evidence to better understand student needs, student learning, and programmatic formative and summative outcomes.
  
• Ensure that record-keeping systems are updated, accurate, and audit-ready.
  
• Perform other mission-critical and position-specific duties as requested based on operational needs (e.g., all-hands-on-deck events such as orientation, welcome week, homecoming, commencement, and other university traditions).
  

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

Bachelor's Degree in sociology, education, ethnic studies, intercultural communication, anthropology, or related area or equivalent combination of education and experience in a related field from an accredited institution required.

Required Experience

One to three years of professional experience in education, student affairs, or comparable experience.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Master's degree in sociology, education, ethnic studies, intercultural communication, student affairs, anthropology, or related area.
  
• Demonstrated prior experiences developing and managing recruitment and/or retention-based programs for students from low-income or first-generation backgrounds.
  
• Experience in student-based training and programming related to social support, advising, and a sense of belonging.
  
• Experience identifying educational challenges and barriers faced by students from low-income or first-generation backgrounds.
  
  

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of issues significant to students from diverse communities.
  
• Ability to plan and implement educational and informational programs in a diverse cultural environment.
  
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff.
  
• Experience developing and delivering programming consistent with budgetary constraints.
  
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders and across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.
  
• Demonstrated commitment to contributing to a safe work environment.
  
  Skills
  
• Strong organizational and planning skills, including strong attention to detail, setting priorities, balancing multiple obligations, proactive communication, and time management.
  
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
  
• The ability to manage time effectively, learn, and contribute to overall departmental tasks and goals.
  
• Project coordination skills: ability to lead or contribute to planning or organizing projects, programs, services, etc.
  
• Conflict resolution skills: ability to use interpersonal skills to develop and maintain positive professional relationships and resolve conflict in a team environment and with individuals from various diverse backgrounds and experiences.
  
• Analytical skills: ability to analyze information and offer sound recommendations.
  
• Computer skills: proficiency with word processing and spreadsheet software, preferably Microsoft Office or Google Suite.
  
  Abilities
  
• Ability to handle multiple projects, services, activities, etc. in a timely and professional manner in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment.
  
• Ability to promote and achieve academic and social success for students from a wide variety of backgrounds.
  

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

● Website development and maintenance, databases, social media, graphic design, and student tracking systems.
● Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate but can occasionally be higher.
  
• Possession of a valid driver's license and ability to comply with Michigan Tech vehicle-use requirements.
  

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:
• Employee Safety Overview
• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
• Annual Data Security Training
• Annual Title IX Training

Required Departmental Training:
● Ongoing professional development to be determined.


Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

1.00

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Rate/Salary

The minimum salary for this position is $44,000. The final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Title of Position Supervisor

Director, Student Support and Mentorship

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

This position requires attendance at events and to work flexible hours as needed. Some evenings and weekends will be required.

This position is partially funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation, which extends through the 2029-2030 academic year.

Full ensured consideration will be given to applicants who apply on or before April 15, 2025.

Additional Information

Michigan Tech is an internationally renowned doctoral research flagship university located in Houghton, MI. Houghton is located in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula on the south shore of Lake Superior. The area provides a unique setting where natural beauty, culture, education, and a diversity of residents from around the world come together to share a superb living and learning experience.

We embrace our winters and cherish our summers with an unapologetic spirit of resilience and adventure. We attract students and employees who love “the great outdoors” and are comfortable with not having amenities usually associated with large communities.

The Character of the Division

The Division of Student Affairs at Michigan Tech is devoted to student success from enrollment to commencement. We are dynamic and culturally-responsive. We guide, support, and, on occasion, challenge students as they develop, refine, and pursue their academic, career, and personal endeavors. All staff are responsible for creating a safe, welcoming, respectful, and caring environment for students, colleagues, and visitors. We seek skilled colleagues from all backgrounds who are student-focused, self-motivated, and will embrace and respect who we are and what we do. We also seek colleagues committed to moving the Division forward towards prominence and influence on campus, nationally, and within the Student Affairs profession. Titles and responsibilities are subject to change in accordance with university policies and procedures to meet the needs of our students, the university and division, the state of Michigan, employers, and the profession.


Before applying, we encourage interested individuals to spend time learning more about who we are, our values, and what we do: https://www.mtu.edu/student-affairs/.