General Summary of Position:

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

The Program Specialist provides general program management and assists on the systematic collection, assessment, and reporting of data to gauge program effectiveness and inform strategic improvements. This includes tracking 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 Academic Services, Centers for Learning, Advising, Student Affairs and other partners and may develop training material, conduct workshops, and other duties as assigned.

The Program Specialist is a grant funded position (June 2025-May 31, 2026), with potential for continuation contingent on funding.

Essential Job Duties:

Project Management & Development:

• Coordinate, lead, and assess programs that enhance first generation student engagement and success including:
• Elevate Mentor Program
• Roads to Research
• Peer Leader Program
• Assist the development, implementation, and support of innovative practices and programming that promote student achievement with an emphasis on closing the achievement gaps in college completion.
• Create an atmosphere for first-generation students to feel welcomed, supported, and comfortable; support divisional & campus strategies on student wellbeing.
• Act as a liaison between RHSA and staff for campus services including Career & Co-Op Center, Student Activities & Leadership, Admissions, Advising, Centers for Learning, and Financial Aid Departments.
• Keep accurate and timely records of all student interactions using reporting systems of record (SiS, Salesforce, etc.)
• Serve on campus committees.

Student Outreach, Recruitment and Retention:

• Develop, implement, and coordinate strategies that meet RHSA objectives for persistence and completion.
• Provide direct services to RHSA students to deepen academic and career short- and long-term goals, research exposure, financial fluency, and wellbeing.
• Mentor RHSA students to support their personal growth, campus involvement, acquiring tools for personal and professional development, and academic success.
• Contribute to key RHSA annual events (RHSA Welcome Day, First Gen Week celebrations, end-of-year events, etc.)
• Contribute to recruitment/yield, outreach efforts, to prospective and incoming RHSA students, including weekend admissions events.

Data Management, Reporting, Visualizations:

• Develop, organize, and monitor program activities, events to recruit eligible RHSA students into offerings.
• Work closely with Academic Services, DAIR, E&I to gather, prepare, and develop annual reporting.
• Assist in the development visualizations and support divisional grant writing/fundraising efforts for RHSA providing evidence and data-driven strategies.

Communications and Outreach:                                                    

• Support departmental outreach efforts over multiple formats (including but not limited to social media, website, and written materials).
• Lead the development of a visibility & outreach strategy for RHSA driving campus awareness of programs and offerings.
• Participate in university-wide campaigns and other special projects as appropriate.
• Provide recommendations on emerging trends.

Other Job Duties:

• Promote the University’s commitment to customer service by:
  • Building effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the University by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance when needed.
  • Ensuring optimum service to all internal and external partners in response to all requests for service and information.
  • Maintaining an environment that is welcoming to persons of all backgrounds, nationalities, and roles.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

Education:

• Bachelors with 2 years of relevant experience, however will consider candidates with Masters and 1 years.
• Demonstrated success in managing multiple programs, developing and executing new programs and initiatives within a diverse environment.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively develop and maintain positive relationships with students to support social, emotional, and academic wellbeing.
• Experience in evaluating program effectiveness using data-driven methods and making strategic recommendations based on analysis.

Skills:

• Ability to establish program priorities, monitor progress toward achieving program goals, and conduct assessments to evaluate program effectiveness.
• Ability to work with data sets to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for program improvement.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• Ability to work independently, be organized, and balance competing priorities to meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Higher Education experience preferred
• Demonstrated expertise and experience working with first-generation college students
• Experience in developing and executing marketing strategies to promote programs and engage target audiences.
• Proficiency with project management, data analysis and visualization tools.
• Familiarity with quality management frameworks and methodologies to ensure program standards are consistently met or exceeded.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Only current UML Employees within the Grants & Contracts (MTA/GRACE) bargaining unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

This is a Grants & Contracts (MTA/GRACE) bargaining unit position, Grade P15.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled; however, the posting may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.

This position is contingent upon funding. This is a grant-funded, temporary, full time, benefited position from June 2025-May 31, 2026. Continued employment is contingent upon grant funding.

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