At the Penn Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE), we believe in the power of education. We believe there is no greater force for building communities, bridging barriers, improving lives, and healing society. We bring our ideas, our identities, our ambition, and our commitment to a place where a diverse network of researchers, educators, counselors, leaders, and changemakers is unafraid to question what it means to educate. The Director of Graduate Academic Affairs is responsible for the maint... more details
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
Director of Graduate Academic Affairs, Penn GSE
Job Profile Title
Director B, Academic Affairs, Faculty Affairs
Job Description Summary
At the Penn Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE), we believe in the power of education. We believe there is no greater force for building communities, bridging barriers, improving lives, and healing society. We bring our ideas, our identities, our ambition, and our commitment to a place where a diverse network of researchers, educators, counselors, leaders, and changemakers is unafraid to question what it means to educate.
The Director of Graduate Academic Affairs is responsible for the maintenance and enforcement of policies related to graduate student progress, grades, benefits, PhD funding, and the student handbook. This position will represent GSE on various University and academic committees, and play a key role in policy enforcement, management and development. The Director will work with students to manage the dissertation process and support faculty to ensure that policies and procedures are being followed. This position will collaborate with various GSE offices including, but not limited to, Office of Student Success, Registrar, Admissions, Faculty Affairs, and program faculty and staff. This position will also have a dotted line reporting to the Graduate Group Chair.
Job Description
Degree policy maintenance, enforcement, and development: Acts as a first point of contact for all graduate degree policy interpretation. Oversees graduate student policies and processes and develops policy change recommendations, as needed. Utilizes analytical tools and a systematic approach to ensure consistency of policy application, and to determine efficacy of policies. Serves, and actively participates, on a variety of academic committees and provides administrative support for the Committee on Degrees and the Doctoral Oversight Committee. Manages and maintains the student handbook and makes changes, as needed. Oversee the process and policies for Ph.D. funding and benefits. Consults on the rules and regulations of Ph.D. funding to ensure policies are consistently followed. Meets & communicates regularly with graduate chairs to ensure they have necessary information from the Graduate Division re: policy and procedure updates, deadlines & new business. Communicates information regarding students and departments to the Graduate Division, as necessary.
Manage the dissertation process: Approve the dissertation committee and communicate dissertation rules to faculty and students. Oversee the dissertation review process, to include: partnering with the University Library to ensure students are supported through their dissertation process; managing the depositing of dissertations to Proquest; ensuring dissertations are in compliance with the University and APA requirements; providing editorial feedback to dissertation; partnering with GSE’s Student Records Office and the Office of the Provost to manage doctoral dissertations; working with the Office of the Provost and academic programs to make sure students are on track with submission deadlines. Collaborate with the Office of Research & Faculty Affairs, as needed.
Oversee and manage the academic affairs needs for all GSE graduate programs: Serve as a check and balance for reviewing student benchmarks, applying and enforcing academic policies, and reviewing and shepherding academic grievances. In conjunction with the Office of Student Success (OSS), the incumbent will work with students and provide assistance regarding their academic needs. Likewise, this role will work with faculty to discuss student academic needs, including when a student misses class or is behind. This person will be the instructor of record for all EDUC9900 sections and courses and all EDUC9950-001 and EDUC9960-001 course sections. It will be the responsibility of the individual to build a system and track the progress for these courses. This individual will sit on the Committee on Instruction (COI) to ensure academic policies are followed and will have the authority to make short-term accommodation decisions for GSE students in GSE.
Support the Office of Student Success in Orientation, Doctoral Hooding, and Commencement planning and execution. Special projects, as needed.
Qualifications
ESSENTIAL:
- A Bachelor's degree and 5 to 7 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
PREFERRED:
- A Master's degree in Higher Education, College Student Personnel, or related degree.
Expected salary range: $90,000 - $95,000
*All applicants must submit a cover letter.
Penn GSE actively seeks and welcomes people of color, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, persons with disabilities, and people at intersections of these identities, to apply.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Graduate School of Education
Pay Range
$61,046.00 - $95,000.00 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, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.
Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.
Special Requirements
Background check 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
