Kessler Scholars Program Coordinator

Kessler Scholars Program Coordinator

Position Number: 20049779

Vacancy ID:  P015999

Department: Scholarships and Aid-Ops-543100Scholarships and Student Aid - 543000

Classification/Appointment Type:  

Full Time Equivalent (FTE):  1

Full Time/Part Time Permanent/Time Limited: Full-Time Permanent

If time-limited, estimated duration of appointment:  

Hours Per Week:  40

Work Schedule:  

Monday – Friday; 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
This position includes flexibility for a hybrid work schedule.

Job Code ID:  University Program Specialist - Journey

Salary Shown to Applicants (Hiring Range):  $45,000 - $55,000

Salary Grade Equivalency:  GN11

FLSA Designation:  Exempt

Duties Exempt:  Yes

Department Description:  

The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid works to ensure that qualified students have the opportunity to study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill regardless of their ability to pay. The office serves students at all levels, including graduate and professional school students and coordinates all student financial support for the campus. The office assists in the recruitment, retention and success of students while maximizing available funds, exercising good stewardship of those funds, and performing related research, analysis and program evaluation in support of long-range enrollment and campus goals. In addition, the office provides academic and co-circular support services for scholarships, provides financial literacy and educational tools, and partners with faculty and other student success areas across campus to provide excellent service to low- and middle-income students and other scholarship recipients. The work of the office is public in nature and closely scrutinized by students and their families, lawmakers, faculty and staff at the University, and by the media (local, regional, and national).

Equal Opportunity Employer:  

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

Position Description:  

The Carolina Covenant Scholars Program, as part of the Division of Enrollment, is committed to the educational benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as fostering a culture of accountability through participation in diversity, equity, and inclusion training and delivery on divisional commitments. Further, we are committed to supporting one another in meeting goals, fostering open and consistent communication, and creating the place where we want to work. 

The new Kessler Scholars Program at UNC Chapel Hill is supported by a $1 million grant with the Kessler Scholars Collaborative – a community of practice which serves low-income, first-generation college students in a cohort-based model. The Kessler Scholars program at Carolina will focus on supporting low-income, first-generation students from rural counties in North Carolina to develop the networks, opportunities, resources, experiences, and skills they need to succeed in college and beyond. 

The Kessler Scholars Program Coordinator will implement programs and support for the Kessler Scholars – beginning with an inaugural class of 20 students in 2023 and growing to 80 students across four years. The coordinator will help identify and select program participants, design cohort activities and developmental opportunities, advise, coach and counsel students, and manage the program’s budget. The coordinator will develop a system for monitoring student’s experiences, performance, and needs, and plan social activities that create a sense of community and belonging on-campus. The coordinator will also develop community partnerships that create opportunity for Kessler Scholars and evaluate the success of each component of the cohort model and associated supports

The Kessler Scholars program will be part of the university’s initiatives for first generation college students – Carolina Firsts – and will be located organizationally within the division of Enrollment in the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid. The program coordinator will join a host of campus professionals dedicated to equity in experiences and outcomes at the University, and the Kessler Scholars Program will be one of many efforts for strengthening student success at Carolina. The coordinator will report to the Director of the Carolina Covenant Scholars Program – a groundbreaking program contributing to the success of low-income students at the university. The Kessler Scholars Program will be developed separate yet adjacent to the Covenant to benefit from the guidance and experience of the Covenant Scholars team. The Division of Enrollment is committed to providing financial and other support to extend the Kessler’s Scholars program well beyond the first four years and the initial investment from the Kessler Collaborative.

Essential Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:  

Ability to / understanding of coordination for programs at at a four year institution. 

Education Requirements:  

Preferred Qualifications:  

* Master’s degree in higher education or highly related field 
* 3+ years of experience coordinating undergraduate student programs and events
* Best practices in undergraduate student retention with a focus on FGCS, low-income, and rural student experiences
* Academic counseling
* Experience with grants, scholarships, and financial aid administration 
* Working collaboratively with staff and colleagues
* Building campus-wide partnerships to serve undergraduate students 
* Experience supporting cohorts of college students 
* Strong oral and written communication skills

Required Licenses/Certifications:  

Qualifications and Experience:  

Bachelor’s degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Special Physical and Mental Requirements:  

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting:  https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/239340

Department Contact Name and Title:  Candice Powell, Director of Carolina Covenant

Department Contact Telephone or Email:  candice_powell@unc.edu

Posting Open Date:  09/06/2022

Posting Close Date:  09/30/2022

Open Until Filled:  No

Office of Human Resources Contact Information:  If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity office at (919) 966-3576 or send an email to equalopportunity@unc.edu.