Careers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell

General Summary of Position:

The River Hawk Scholars Academy (RHSA) is a student success and retention program at UMass Lowell, supporting the first-generation college experience as students navigate the transition from high school to college and beyond. The Program Assistant plays a critical role in the delivery and enhancement of programmatic activities aimed at boosting college degree completion and enriching student success. The position helps implement a comprehensive educational program that equips students with a holistic support network, promoting wellbeing and fostering seamless pathways to degree attainment.

The position provides general project management and assists on the systematic collection, assessment, and reporting of data to gauge program effectiveness and inform strategic improvements. This includes monitoring student participation, academic progress, and program outcomes to ensure alignment with the academy’s goals and with the intent to translate that data into actionable outreach. They will coordinate and collaborate with campus partners and may develop training material, conduct workshops, and other duties as assigned.

The Program Assistant is a temporary, non-benefited grant funded position (September 2025-May 31, 2026) - with schedule up to 35.0 to 37.5hrs/week.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience:

• Relevant experience developing & executing successful programming and initiatives within a dynamic & fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively develop and maintain positive relationships with students to support social, emotional, and academic wellbeing.

Skills:

• Ability to establish program priorities, monitor progress toward achieving program goals, and conduct assessments to evaluate program effectiveness.
• Familiarity with or demonstrated ability to learn how to use the following software applications: Salesforce, SiS, Blackboard, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Outlook, and word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software
• Excellent collaboration, organizational, administrative, and communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills to provide direction in promoting and maintaining collaborative relationships with campus and external constituencies.
• Ability to work independently, be organized, and balance competing priorities to meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in higher education preferred.
• Experience and understanding of first-generation college student experience.
• Knowledge of best practices in student retention in higher education desirable.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Initial review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applicants is received.

This is a part-time, temporary, non-unit, non-benefited position.   

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.  Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process.