Assistant Program Director for Senior Scholars

Assistant Program Director for Senior Scholars

The Penn State Millennium Scholars Program seeks an innovative, energetic professional to fill the position of Assistant Program Director for Senior Scholars. This position provides academic coaching and support to about 150 undergraduate students participating in the Millennium Scholars Program, with a special focus on seniors and their unique needs. The mission of the Penn State Millennium Scholars Program (MSP) is to cultivate a diverse group of undergraduate scholars who are highly motivated to ultimately pursue doctoral degrees in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. This program is managed through the Office of the President.

The Assistant Program Director for Senior Scholars assists students in meeting program requirements through:

• Specialized counseling and instruction regarding professional development.
  
• Obtaining research experience.
  
• Participation in professional conferences.
  
• Preparing for strong academic outcomes.
  
  The Assistant Program Director also assists fourth- and fifth-year students in completing the required undergraduate thesis, applications to a minimum of 5 graduate schools, and locating and accessing GRE/MCAT exam preparation resources.
  
  Along with the Director of MSP and the Assistant Program Director for Junior Scholars, this position also co-leads the team of faculty mentors who provide several services to the Millennium Scholars Program including interviewing new candidates, proofreading senior theses, teaching summer courses, and providing presentations that will assist seniors in gaining access to STEM doctoral programs across the nation.
  
  This position works with students, advisors, associate deans, and faculty in five colleges (Eberly College of Science, Agricultural Sciences, Information Sciences and Technology, Engineering, Earth and Mineral Sciences), and is also engaged with residence life, financial aid, and the Millennium Scholars Program Steering Committee.
  
  The Penn State Millennium Scholars Program is one of three similar programs that are a part of the Meyerhoff Adaptation Project, a national collaborative of three institutions: University of Maryland-Baltimore County, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and Penn State-University Park. The Assistant Program Director visits, works with, and shares best practices with counterparts at other universities, enabling all programs to be more effective in increasing the number of undergraduate students academically prepared to become Ph.D. scholars. External engagement also extends to an additional 10 to 15 institutions where student research partnerships are developed. This individual will assist students in transitioning from undergraduate rationale to strategic thinking for graduate success, and help students direct three years of research efforts towards graduate school admission. This Assistant Program Director will know each graduating senior well and contribute to the strategies unique to each student's academic success. The composition of the Millennium Scholars currently enrolled is 67% women and 80% who are racially underrepresented. While the national average for graduation in STEM fields for these groups without intervention is well below 50%, the graduation rate for Penn State Millennium Scholars is at 84%, with 61% of graduates going on to Ph.D. programs. This success can be directly attributed to the Assistant Program Directors who together invest in all four years of the student experience at Penn State.
  
  Typically requires:
  
• A Master's degree or higher in counselor education, college student personnel, psychology, social work, education, higher education administration, or related discipline or higher.
  
• Plus five years of related experience.
  
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  
  Master's degree or Ph.D. in STEM education, a STEM field, counselor education, college student personnel, higher education administration, or related fields is preferred with experience in STEM intervention programming and a demonstrated understanding of educational equity.
  
  This position requires the following clearances: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.
  
  In order to be considered for this position, please provide a copy of your resume/CV, a cover letter, and three references.
  
  Application review will begin on May 1, 2021, with a target start date of June 15, 2021.
  
  Apply online at https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/PSU_Staff/job/University-Park-Campus/Counselor-4--Assistant-Program-Director-for-Senior-Scholars-_REQ_0000010704-1
  
  CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: For more about safety at Penn State, and to review the Annual Security Report which contains information about crime statistics and other safety and security matters, please go to http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/, which will also provide you with detail on how to request a hard copy of the Annual Security Report.
  
  Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
  
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