Careers at UMass Amherst

About UMass Amherst 

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region. 

Job Summary 

The Honors Experience and Student Success Coordinator coordinates and supports efforts to strengthen the Honors Experience for student success in Commonwealth Honors College, supports college leadership in developing programming for students and faculty, and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in student facing initiatives and programs. The Coordinator collaborates with Commonwealth Honors College and campus partners to develop student-focused programming, develop initiatives focused on student success, and support the Strategic Plan. 

Essential Functions 

• Coordinates, implements, advances, and assesses programs to promote the “Student Success at Honors” initiative in the College, including collaborating with leadership, and college and campus partners in support of for various student demographics such as transfers and first-generation students, including developing and overseeing student online portfolios. 

• Coordinates and supports the “Contemporary Issues” RAP program for participating first-year students and faculty in collaboration with College units and campus partners, in particular Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community staff. 

• Coordinates inclusive honors pedagogy workshops and/or symposia for faculty teaching honors and in collaboration with leadership and College and campus partners. 

• Coordinates and supports efforts to strengthen the Honors Experience for students, especially with an emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion, and coordination with leadership and college and campus partners. 

• Works closely with leadership to coordinate and support the preparation of guidance for students and faculty for the honors thesis experience, including participating in the thesis workshops and related events as well as providing assessment for success in the honors thesis experience and completion. 

• Assists with support and coordination of the Strategic Plan goals and objectives. 

• Collaborates with campus partners in career and professional development to develop honors student focused programming. 

• Collaborates on initiatives designed to help honors students consider thesis planning throughout their honors experience. 

• Collaborates on initiatives designed to encourage the recruitment, retention, and sustainable support and success of students from under-represented populations.  

Other Functions 

• Remains abreast of research and best practices in honors student success. 

• Assists college units in various programming initiatives. 

• Collaborates with campus partners on initiatives targeting the needs of honors students. 

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure) 

• Bachelor's Degree. 

• One year experience managing student success initiatives. 

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to prioritize and balance work tasks with deadlines in a demanding environment.  

• Excellent problem solving and communication skills (both written and verbal).  

• Previous experience organizing and managing major events (especially complex in scope).  

• Excellent computer skills including thorough knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Adobe Acrobat Pro. Experience and familiarity with computerized databases and web-based applications.  Ability to manipulate information provided in comma delimited or Excel form.   

• Ability to work accurately with information and data.   

• Knowledge of office practices, procedures and equipment.   

• Ability to assess work priorities, and to communicate clearly and courteously with supervisors and other staff.   

• Capable of working successfully with a diverse population including faculty, academic and non-academic professional and classified staff, administrators, students, and the public.   

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure) 

• Experience managing student success initiatives in higher education.

• Master’s Degree or equivalent.

• Experience using online storage systems and calendar systems such as Microsoft 365.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions 

Typical office environment.

Work Schedule 

Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm (37.5 hours/week), occasional nights and weekends.

Salary Information 

Salary Level 26.

Exempt Hiring Ranges.

Special Instructions to Applicants 

Please submit a cover letter, resume, diversity statement (please see details below), and three professional references.  Search will remain open until a suitable candidate pool has been identified.

As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CHC seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. Candidates will need to submit a Statement of Contribution to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (as stated above). The Diversity Statement should identify past experiences and future goals. These contributions may result from lived experiences, scholarship, and/or mentoring, teaching, and outreach activities (https://www.umass.edu/diversity/resources).

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.