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

Master's Program Coordinator - Electrical and Systems Engineering - Penn Engineering

Job Profile Title

Academic Coordinator

Job Description Summary

The Master’s Program Coordinator will work with and under the guidance of the Master’s Program Manager to support all functions serving the Electrical Engineering (EE) Master’s and Systems Engineering (SE) Master’s programs and students in the Electrical and Systems Engineering Department. The Coordinator will work with the Faculty Directors and Master’s Program Manager to provide student advising, support admissions and administer program functions, including initial processing and screening of applicants, onboarding new students, addressing student queries, facilitating student professional development, and fostering student/alumni community.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Admissions

In coordination with Faculty Directors, Department Director, and Master’s Program Manager, support admissions process for EE Master’s and SE Master’s students.  Process includes initial applicant reviews, coordinate decision processing with faculty directors, New Student Orientations (NSO), and onboarding.  

 

Tasks include but are not limited to coordination of speakers (e.g. relevant campus partners) and preparation of handouts/presentation slides/swag. 

Create/update relevant program information for NSO based on student feedback and advising experience.

Communicate outcomes of key processes and events to faculty and students as appropriate (e.g. taking photos and posting to social media or preparing materials for presentation at faculty meetings). 

 

Recruitment

Manage prospective student inquiries and develop recruitment methods with faculty directors.  

 

Tasks include but are not limited to collecting student experiences, updating website information; improving/developing channels of communications as appropriate to effectively address prospective student questions (may include applicant checklists, Q&A sections, videos, etc.)

Student Advising and Support

Advise EE and SE Master’s students in academic options, course requirements and other program requirements; carefully interpret and implement program policies; perform degree audits and support graduation ceremonies.

 

Serve as front-line student contact for students, coordinate with faculty, Office of Academic Services and campus resources to provide additional student support; support resolution of serious student issues by connecting them to appropriate partners. Hold daily availability for student advising sessions.    

Transparency: process management and improvement

Thoroughly administer all aspects of EE Master’s and SE Master’s program functions with and under the guidance of the Master’s Program Manager, including but not limited to the review of Academic Reduced Course Load (RCL) requests, petitions, transfer credits, etc.  Make effective use of a wide range of communications tools to increase transparency of program requirements, expectations and outcomes.

 

Work closely with supervisor (Master’s Program Manager) and faculty to continually make improvements to 1) update documentation of processes for clear communication with students, faculty and colleagues, 2) enhance quality of data collection and analysis to facilitate data-driven decisions, 3) increase efficiency and sustainability for all stakeholders.  

 

Make effective use of a wide range of communications tools to ensure program transparency and community building.  

Student Leadership Development

Manage and develop events/practices that support student connections to each other, to staff, to faculty and to alumni. Current efforts include internship panels, community building events, and professional development events. Serve as department ambassador at events to connect with students and create a welcoming environment. 

 

Industry Connection and Professional Development

Work closely with the University’s Career Services, SEAS Development, faculty and students/alumni to facilitate student professional development and build and maintain stronger connections with industry.  Develop tools to better expose students to career options.  Coordinate with SEAS Development office to encourage student engagement with that office and their resources and events such as QuakerNet and Alumni weekend.  Foster and maintain connection with graduates whenever possible; track alumni information such as through LinkedIn, spreadsheets and databases.  

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Ability to prioritize and multitask, excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills, strong attention to detail, and strong organizational skills. Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and Google Suite.

 

Previous experience in advising and leadership development preferred.  Experience in the following areas a plus: work with student populations, work in higher education, interest and knowledge regarding international affairs and current events.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Pay Range

$21.52 - $31.00 Hourly 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