Assistant Director for Student Support Initiatives

Assistant Director for Student Support Initiatives

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
Assistant Director for Student Support Initiatives

Job Profile Title
Coordinator B

Job Description Summary
Reports to: Associate Director for Student Engagement

The Assistant Director for Student Support Initiatives (ADSSI) plays an integral role in facilitating a culture of care and support for graduate and professional students at Penn. The ADSSI provides critical support for students on a range of issues through a collaborative model of outreach, advising, and intentional collaboration with campus partners.

The ADSSI serves as a go-to resource person on the Graduate Center team, providing guidance on a range of policy issues and resources to students, faculty, and staff. In addition to providing direct support through individual advising, the ADSSI helps connect students with other offices that support graduate students, including Student Intervention Services, Graduate Financial Counseling, Weingarten Center, Restorative Practices, ISSS, and other offices as needed. This position also co-facilitates the Student Parent and First Gen Advisory Committees.

This position works closely with the Exec Director, AD for Student Engagement, AD for Family Programs & campus partners to develop targeted outreach and resources for populations needing specialized support and advising, including international students, student parents, and students experiencing financial hardship. With direction and support from the Executive Director, this position will also participate in review and resource referrals in relation to a range of need-based grant programs, including the Graduate Emergency Fund and PhD Family and Insurance grant programs.

In consultation with the ED and AVP-Graduate Education, the ADSSI will process Family Leave and New Parent Accommodation requests for PhD students and monitor the delivery of backup care benefits for eligible Family Center members. In connection with this role, the ADSSI also shares in responsibility for oversight and management of Family Center memberships and benefits databases, working closely with relevant staff in Family Center and HR/Postdoctoral Affairs to verify membership benefits eligibility and member enrollment or affiliation status. The ADSSI creates additional student reports and maintains records needed for a range of programs administered by the Graduate Student Center requiring enrollment or other eligibility verification.

The ADSSI plays a leadership role in helping to cultivate a positive, student-centered environment that demands both high levels of individual responsibility and effective and meaningful collaboration with internal and external colleagues in order to best support the needs of over 18,000 graduate and professional students at Penn.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Advising and resource referrals. Directly support students through individual advising and connects students with other offices that support graduate students, including Student Intervention Services, Graduate Financial Counseling, Weingarten Center, Restorative Practices, ISSS, and other offices as needed. Assist staff and students with questions related to university-wide student policies and processes (LOA, accommodations, academic grievance) and case management. Provide guidance and resource referrals for special populations: parents, international students, low income, etc. Co-facilitate Student Parent and First Gen Advisory Committees.
• Grant review and administration. Assist with conducting review and resource referrals in relation to a range of need-based grant programs, including the Graduate Emergency Fund and PhD Family and Insurance grant programs. Provide immediate outreach and advising to applicants in response to emergency or critical needs.
• Outreach. Work closely with staff and partners to develop and deliver targeted outreach related to special student populations, resources, and initiatives throughout the student lifecycle. Assists with development and maintenance of up-to-date outreach materials, guidelines, and webpages on topics related to student support and needs.
• Enrollment and Eligibility Verification. Using Pennant systems, create and manage student reports and eligibility lists for a range of programs administered by the Centers (benefits, grants, ticketing, etc.). Oversee access and storage protocols to ensure compliance with all relevant privacy policies. Assist staff as needed with student eligibility-related queries.
• Memberships. Oversee and manage Family Center membership database to ensure accurate and up-to-date records. Provide final approval for new applicants, conduct quarterly status reviews, and coordinate with relevant staff in Family Center and HR/Postdoctoral Affairs to verify eligibility.
• Benefit Delivery: Assist with monitoring childcare benefits delivery for students, including collecting usage reports. Communicate with staff in HR and vendors as needed to address any system issues and generate regular reports on benefits utilization.
• Leave Requests. Process Family Leave and New Parent Accommodation requests for all PhD Students in accordance with University Family Leave process. Provide relevant guidance and resources to students, faculty, and staff in relation to student requests.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree and 2 to 3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Master's degree strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in student support, advising, case management, or student affairs within a higher education setting, particularly with graduate or professional student populations.
• Strong knowledge of or experience interpreting and applying university policies and processes related to leave, accommodations, student support services, or financial assistance.
• Experience working with special student populations, including student parents, international students, first-generation students, and students experiencing financial hardship.
• Proven ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and to navigate complex situations with sound judgment and empathy.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with experience partnering across offices such as financial counseling, student intervention services, HR, and international student support.
• Proficiency with data systems and reporting tools and the ability to manage eligibility-based programs, grants, or benefits is highly preferred.

Application Requirement

• A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Provost's Center

Pay Range
$55,000.00 - $55,000.00 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, 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


Equal Employment 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.


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