Employment Opportunities at USD

Current Employee searching for job opportunities? Click Here to login to the MySanDiego portal to view and apply for Department Only or Campus Only postings.

Academic Coordinator

Apply now Posting #: 5141
Position Status: Full-time regular
Location: San Diego
Position Type: Staff, Office of the Vice President and Provost

Position Title & Department:

 Academic Coordinator; TRIO - McNair Program
Posting # 5141
Department Description:

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education and the University of San Diego, the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement (McNair) Program provides experiences that prepare high-achieving undergraduate students for graduate education in all disciplines. The program involves students in research, mentoring, personal and professional development, and other early scholarly activities. McNair targets first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds who have a desire to pursue graduate studies. 

University Description:

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.

Detailed Description:
The Academic Coordinator assists in general administration and implementation of the USD TRIO McNair  Scholars Program (McNair). McNair Scholars are exposed to research training and scholarly experiences throughout the year and have opportunities to present their research at national academic conferences. In addition, they are eligible to participate in the McNair Summer Research Program. As Summer Research Interns, they conduct a 10-week research project, attend a graduate school boot camp, produce a scholarly essay on their findings, and present their work at a  minimum of two academic conferences. USD McNair further supports the publication and presentation of participants' results in journals and professional  conferences. USD McNair Scholars provides opportunities for participants to visit graduate schools and prepare for the graduate school admissions and financial aid application processes, and teaches financial literacy. Scholars receive individual tutoring and academic counseling to ensure their academic success as undergraduates. Scholars receive assistance in preparing for and applying to graduate school, including application fee waivers, and graduate school program site visits.

The Academic Coordinator, alongside the Director, creates and implements programs and services that support the mission and vision of the program. The Academic Coordinator must be able to complete assignments with minimal supervision and have the ability to prioritize, organize, and complete tasks effectively and in a timely manner. The role requires reliability, initiative, creativity, and strong problem-solving, people, and multi-tasking skills. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for initiating academic counseling meetings with McNair Scholar program participants on weekly basis.
  • Co-facilitate McNair Scholar monthly seminars with McNair Scholars Director. Serve as main Academic Coordinator for all program participants.
  • Track progression of McNair Scholar participants, updating personal files, academic reports, and research activities.
  • Track McNair Scholar alumni progress in graduate and doctoral studies. Maintain time and effort records for the program (staff and students).
  • Maintain records of monthly topical workshops during the fall and spring semesters. After receiving the schedule of topics and speakers each semester, arrange for a suitable room and A/V equipment for the chosen dates and times. Purchase/order refreshments as necessary. Take student attendance. Keep copies of all handouts. File attendance sheet and handouts for future reference (both programs).
  • Assist in compiling data for Annual Performance Report, annually in November and December. Maintain the program website and update the program databases.
  • Assist the Director with the recruiting process
  • Assess participants’ academic, educational, and social needs in relation to McNair Scholars services. Requests participants’ transcripts and test scores; interviews participants and, as personal judgment dictates, participants’ families; orders learning and study skills assessments for each participant. Enters results into student files.
  • Refer students for McNair Scholars Program enrichment and support services that meet their particular needs. Based upon the results of the aforementioned assessment, consults with other program staff and university faculty (i.e., faculty mentors and/or advisors) to decide which services will help participants to solve problems that may interfere with completion of the baccalaureate, and subsequent entry and success in doctoral programs.
  • Monitor student performance. After a plan is formed and agreed upon for each student, meet with students monthly to track student progress toward goal completion. Repeat academic, educational, and social needs assessment at least once per academic year thereafter. In summer, meet monthly with students to inquire about their research progress. Relay any concerns to program director.
  • Provide individual admissions and financial aid guidance. Participants, depending upon class standing, are provided with timelines to college and graduate schools. These timelines delineate specific tasks and the timeframe in which they should be completed to ensure successful entry into graduate school, with requisite funding. During monthly meetings, Academic Coordinator queries each participant on his/her individual progress toward completing the timeline. Any concerns are relayed to the program director.
  • Assist in project evaluation. Continued funding for the program requires successful completion of an annual report to the U.S. Department of Education. This report evaluates the program success toward completing the objectives stated in its original grant application. Maintains records necessary for this process, including (but not limited to) needs assessment data, GRE training data, internal program assessment by students and faculty mentors, and post-baccalaureate student tracking. Enters the data into Microsoft Access database for recall as needed in completing the annual report. Edits and helps assemble the final document.

Special Conditions of Employment:

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes. 

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree is required (would prefer science, social science or educational discipline), Master’s Degree preferred OR current enrollment in a Master’s program
  • Minimum one year general administrative experience; or, in lieu of work experience, must have previous participation in a McNair or other TRIO program (as a participant or staff member)
  • Strong interpersonal communications skills required, including ability to deal pleasantly and effectively with a variety of people.
  • Personal experience in overcoming barriers similar to those confronting students in the Project’s target population (low-income, first-generation and/or underrepresented college students) is required.
  • Knowledge of academic needs and interventions for students from low-income, 1st generation, & underrepresented backgrounds.
  • Knowledge of college admissions and financial aid standards and procedures.
  • Occasional overnight travel required.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bilingual desired – Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Hmong, and/or Chinese.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint programs; willingness to learn - new software programs.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

  • Valid California driver's license required.
Posting Salary:

$25.75 - $27.03 per hour; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.  Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.  USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position.  Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Special Application Instructions:

Resume and Cover Letter Required

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers’ review.  If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.

Additional Details:

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Closing date: Open until filled 

Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the campus community.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.

Advertised: Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:

Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend


Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at www.sandiego.edu/safety/documents/annualreport.pdf. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response stands and protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. To request a paper copy, please contact the Clery Act Compliance Manager via email at clery@sandiego.edu, by calling (619) 260-4768, or in-person in the Hughes Administration Center, room 150.