JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Penn State Millennium Scholars Program seeks an innovative, energetic professional to fill the position of Assistant Program Director for Fourth-Year 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 Fourth-Year 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 six colleges (Eberly College of Science, Agricultural Sciences, Information Sciences and Technology, Engineering, Earth and Mineral Sciences, Health and Human Development), 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 59% women and 75% 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 91%, with 59% going on to graduate school, most in 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.

Education and experience:

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.

A 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.

Application instructions: 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 Monday, April 10th, and will continue until the position is filled.

Background checks:

This position requires the following clearances in addition to standard background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

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