Student Affairs Administrator
The University of Chicago

Department

SSD: M. A. Programs Administration - Staff and Temporary Employees

About the Department

The MA program in the Social Sciences (MAPSS), the MA program in Computational Social Science (MACSS), and the Committee on International Relations (CIR) have 525 annual MA students, an academic staff of 35, and 4 Faculty Directors.

This hire would be of principal service to the MAPSS program, as the Student Affairs Administrator for approximately 280 annual students.

The MA program in the Social Sciences is a one-year MA program that provides students access to faculty and course offerings across the SSD. Students have one required course, Perspectives in Social Science Analysis, and they select eight graduate electives in fields like Anthropology, History, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.

Job Summary

The job administers programs in student affairs activities, including orientation and onboarding programs for incoming students. Acts as the primary point of contact for student inquiries. Uses a moderate/high level of understanding in student affairs to develop future enrollment strategies using admissions and financial aid data.

Reporting to the Executive Director of MA Programs, the Student Affairs Administrator will work closely with the academic and administrative staff of MAPSS to respond to prospective student queries; keep current students on track to complete their degree requirements from matriculation through convocation; maintain complete and accurate student records in Divisional and University databases; collaborate with the Dean of Students office to provide students with information to enhance their overall experience; advise students of degree and convocation requirements; and partner with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) to manage human subject protocols for MA thesis research projects.

The Student Affairs Administrator will help to register MAPSS students for classes; reserve classroom and event spaces for the MAPSS staff; help to plan and participate in important program events; help organize and conduct annual student and staff surveys; and serve as the principal program liaison between the MAPSS program and the Dean of Students office. This hire will assist with regular updates to the MAPSS website and work closely with our MA administrative staff to address other program concerns as needed.

Responsibilities

• Advises students regarding MA program requirements; works closely with the MAPSS leadership to monitor individual student progress; notifies students regarding curricular expectations, academic probation, reduced course loads, or resumptions of studies; outlines necessary actions toward remediation.
  
• Works closely with the SSD Dean of Students office; maintains electronic records, compiles information, and creates reports.
  
• Supervises individual registrations for all MA students in MAPSS at the beginning of each quarter. Registers students directly, in cases where students are unable to process their registrations or add/drop themselves. Coordinates with the Dean of Students Office and the University Registrar when necessary.
  
• Oversees all MAPSS submissions requiring IRB approval for the MA thesis, because those students intend to work with human subjects or have data that is personally identifiable, coordinating with the IRB Director as appropriate to provide necessary staff or student training.
  
• Maintains student records and informs MAPSS students, the SSD Dean of Students office, the MAPSS leadership, or the MAPSS academic staff of any problems as they arise.
  
• Collects and records grades for MAPSS thesis supervision; makes a note of any student incompletes, informing students of any consequence; helps to track down any missing grades on the transcript when that work has been submitted.
  
• Coordinates and schedules all classroom and event spaces in MAPSS; serves as the principal liaison between the MA program and the University Registrar; serves as the principal liaison between the MA program and University offices charged with event space allocation.
  
• Responds in a welcoming, professional, and efficient manner to prospective student inquiries throughout the year, working with our MA staff to assure that all information is up to date.
  
• Plays a major role in student recruitment, retention, and completion for our MA programs.
  
• Assists with planning and participates in important program events.
  
• Assists with all regular updates to the MAPSS website.
  
• Keeps a daily eye on our MA student lounges, assuring that they are properly stocked and used responsibly.
  
• Organizes and collects periodic surveys and course evaluations for the MAPSS program.
  
• Attends staff meetings as required.
  
• Contributes to the intellectual life and the administrative needs of the MA programs, participating on an occasional basis in key program activities.
  
• Occasionally works outside regular hours to attend student events.
  
• The Student Affairs Administrator will have the opportunity to work remotely for part of the week, as part of a hybrid remote/in-person schedule.
  
• For on-boarding purposes, the first two weeks of employment will be fully in-person.
  
• Recommends process improvements for programs that relate to critical student-life improvement, including emergency management, accommodations for students with disabilities, and/or the administration of health care services and programs for students.
  
• Collaborates with academic divisions in educating students on safety issues. Interprets student disciplinary issues and prepares an annual university summary of disciplinary actions. Counsels students, parents, and staff in response to concerns, and handles complex situations including student crises.
  
• Performs other related work as needed.
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelors Degree in social sciences or related field.
  
• Advanced degree in social sciences, education, higher education administration, communications, or public policy is highly valued but not required.
  

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  
• Ability to empathize and communicate with students and faculty, engaging diverse audiences professionally and supportively.
  
• Ability to identify, address, and help resolve student issues with academic progress, collaborating as needed with program leadership and the Dean of Students.
  
• Ability to manage a large volume of email, responding courteously and professionally within one working day.
  
• Exercise good judgment in key decision-making.
  
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
  
• Ability to help students navigate personal crises of different kinds.
  
• Willingness to secure continued training in mental health first aid.
  
• Project and time management, as well as multi-tasking skills.
  
• Ability to shift priorities quickly and manage frequent interruptions from students and faculty.
  
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  
• Attention to detail.
  
• Facility in learning new computer skills.
  
• Analytical and data presentation skills.
  
• Willingness and ability to work some evenings and weekends.
  

Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Learning new software and data reporting techniques.
  
• Basic familiarity with Excel and Microsoft Office is expected.
  
• The applicant will learn how to navigate important University platforms like Stellic and my.uchicago.edu.
  
• There will be opportunities to increase proficiency with Excel and other web-updating or data reporting software.
  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
  
• Cover letter (required)
  
• References (required)
  

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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