Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
About SMU
SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.
SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.
Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.
SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.
About the Position:
This role is an on-campus, in-person position.
This position is responsible for promoting student retention and academic success, managing daily operations, and increasing a sense of belonging and satisfaction among all SMU Cox Working Professional MBA programs, specifically the Professional MBA (PMBA) program, which represents 270+ students per year. This position will manage and support students from the time of matriculation through graduation.
Essential Functions:
Promote student retention and academic success. Responds to early alerts either from faculty or the student and supports student in establishing goals to promote student success. Manage student academic advising and student satisfactory academic progress towards degree requirements.
Maintain accurate student records relating to enrollment, degree progress and graduation certification, including ACG forms, academic probation, and academic concentrations and minors where applicable for students enrolled in the PMBA Program.
Lead, organize, and plan PMBA Orientation programs, including pre-orientation boot camps for math, excel, and finance. PMBAs are on-boarded twice per year (Fall and Spring).
Manage student communications, including but not limited to: timely emails and notices on enrollment, degree requirements, tuition payment deadlines, and graduation processes and protocol. Weekly newsletters. Other academic information. Staff Advisor for the PMBA SAB
Maintain working knowledge of the major areas for included in fundraising for operational support, including schools, units, student aid, student life, libraries, and athletics.
Assist with the annual budget for departmental activities and expenditures.
Provide support for special functions such as the December and May Graduate Cox Commencement Ceremonies and Beta Gamma Sigma awards luncheons.
Participate and represent SMU/Cox at the professional organization, Graduate Business Student Services Association (GBSSA).
Perform special projects as assigned.
Regular position hours are 10:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Friday, with minimal weekend work for special events.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
A Bachelor's degree is required. An MBA, MS or business-related field, or MEd desired, preferably higher-ed related.
A minimum of four years of experience is required, preferably in academic-related programmatic support, student advising, event or student organization support.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Candidate must demonstrate strong verbal and interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies (students, faculty, staff and administrators) in a diverse community. Must also demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in writing with a strong attention to detail. A strong customer service orientation is essential.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning, and time management skills. A strong focus on attention to detail is essential.
Candidate must be a self-starter with the ability to run projects independently, as well as work collaboratively in a team. The ability to be flexible and adapt quickly to changing priorities is essential.
A working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) is required. Experience with PeopleSoft student records system is strongly preferred. Social media basics preferred.
LGBTQ+ ally, and Diversity and Equity training or knowledge would be preferred.
Physical and Environmental Demands:
Sit for long periods of time
Deadline to Apply:
January 10, 2024
EEO Statement:
SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.
Benefits:
SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.
