Bemidji State University (BSU) invites applicants to join our team as the TRIO McNair Coordinator. BSU's vision is to educate people to lead inspired lives. To accomplish BSU's vision, the University prioritizes creating a culture in which diversity is embraced and all people are safe, welcome, and validated. Centered between the three largest Tribal nations in Minnesota – Leech Lake, Red Lake, and White Earth – BSU also prioritizes increasing engagement with American Indian communities to become a destination university.
Enrolling more than 5,000 students, BSU offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. BSU's Shared Fundamental Values include civic engagement and leadership, international and multicultural understanding, belief in the power of the liberal arts, and environmental stewardship. BSU is located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota and occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. BSU balances rigorous academia with the opportunity to enjoy a fun, robust, outdoor culture. The proximity to the lake and the surrounding north woods allows easy access to an assortment of recreation.
Under the supervision of the McNair Associate Director, the McNair Coordinator assists with the daily operations of the Ronald E. McNair Program, including the delivery of services that ensure graduate school readiness and enrollment for 25 first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented college students annually.
The McNair Coordinator will assist in coordinating individualized services and project events designed to provide graduate/professional school preparation and individual assistance to scholars including student advising, graduate school seminars and visits, and research opportunities. They will also maintain documentation of all services provided and data collection for the Department of Education Performance Report.
Candidates must possess a valid driver's license and be able to pass a driving history background check.
Responsibilities of the TRIO McNair Coordinator include:
Assisting in the development and implementation of the McNair Scholars Program services in accordance with the federal program regulations and university policy. (60%)
Providing support in planning, implementing and evaluating services of the McNair Scholars Program.
Understanding and administering operating policies and procedures set by the US Department of Education.
Participating in the development and modification of program goals, objectives, services, activities, and policies, in accordance with scholar needs, institutional objectives and resources and funding agency requirements.
Coordinating with the McNair Associate Director in developing and conducting seminars; planning and participating in other program activities including orientation, conference and graduate school travel, and special events.
Identifying and recruiting, eligible students for the program.
Monitoring academic progress of scholars through regular contact with scholars and faculty mentors, assessment tools, and academic counseling.
Meeting regularly with scholars to assess their academic progress and research.
Helping facilitate year-round professional development activities.
Providing graduate school advice and academic counseling.
Editing and providing feedback on scholars' research papers.
Providing guidance to scholars throughout the graduate school and financial aid application process.
Providing guidance to scholars with finding off-campus research or internship opportunities.
Coordinating all aspects of scholar travel to conferences and graduate schools. (20%)
Planning all travel to Graduate School Visits, Graduate Application Retreats, and National Research Conferences.
Supervising scholars on graduate school visits and relevant academic conferences.
Requesting all travel documentation from scholars and preparing all travel requests.
Preparing scholars for travel to events with flight, hotel, transportation, and event information.
Reconciling scholar travel expenses.
Record Keeping, Data Collection, Alumni Tracking, Website Management. (20%)
Completing ongoing administrative tasks associated with the program, such as maintaining program records and database.
Updating Alumni database.
Working with IT Coordinator to help maintain the McNair Scholars website to ensure accessibility, current information about the program, application, and academic resources on graduate school.
Tracking progression of McNair Scholar participants, updating personal files, academic reports, and research activities.
Required Qualifications:
Minimum qualifications for this position include:
Bachelor's degree and 2 years of experience in higher education administration, student development, counseling, social work or a STEM-related field from an accredited college or university.
Demonstrated ability to work with federal TRIO programs, academic support programs, or similar programs serving first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students.
A demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Preferred qualifications include:
Master's Degree and 1 year of experience in higher education administration, student development, counseling, social work or a STEM-related field from an accredited college or university.
Knowledge of and experience working with complex federal grants, specifically OMB (Office of Management and Budget) circulars, EDGAR (a federal regulation) and other federal regulations set by the US Department of Education.
Demonstrated understanding and commitment to first-generation students and students from historically underrepresented groups in higher education.
Experience with academic, career and personal counseling/coaching, and graduate school admissions processes.
Experience advising and assisting first-generation college students with high impact practices.
Demonstrated ability to work with faculty from various disciplines.
Experience in conducting developmental workshops such as study skills, time management, and university degree plans.
To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your application and/or resume clearly demonstrate fulfillment of these minimum and preferred qualifications.
Other Requirements:
Working Conditions: Must be available to work occasional weekend event, overnight travel as well as evenings. Must have a valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record as they are responsible for transporting scholars and traveling to multiple locations.
Other considerations:
All applicants must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States at the time of an offer of employment.
Official transcript(s) must be provided to Human Resources upon hire.
Employment for this position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement for the Minnesota State University Association of Administrative and Service Faculty (MSUAASF) –see agreement.
In accordance with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MinnState) Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, faculty and staff driving on college/university business, who use a rental or state vehicle, shall be required to complete a vehicle Use Agreement form and conform to MinnState's vehicle use criteria and consent to a motor vehicle records check.
If you have general questions about this posting or submitting an application, contact Mary Miller at mary.miller@bemidjistate.edu
About:
UNIVERSITY / COMMUNITY WHYBEMIDJI:
Bemidji State University is nestled among the pines along the shores of Lake Bemidji, just blocks from a thriving downtown community. In this Northwoods setting, students, staff, and faculty have a variety of activities at their fingertips. Possessing all the charm and character of a college town, Bemidji remains a tight-knit community of good neighbors and engaged citizens who always come out to cheer for the Beavers. While the city of Bemidji — named after the Ojibwe Chief Shaynowishkung (nicknamed Bemidji) — is home to a diverse population of more than 15,000 people, it serves a regional population of more than 100,000.
Though quaint and historic, the city offers the urban conveniences upon which college students rely. Bemidji State is conveniently located minutes away from affordable restaurants, cozy coffee shops, grocery stores, city parks and more. Small, locally owned shops and art sculptures line the streets of downtown Bemidji, while national chains can be found in and around the Bemidji area, including an uptown selection of department stores and restaurants, students at Bemidji State University have the opportunity to experience a dynamic local culture and history. Bemidji also sits at the center of the legends of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. The famous statues of Paul and Babe greet students as they drive in from the south along Lake Bemidji.
The thriving downtown community presents ample opportunities for engagement off-campus. Among other things, there are fine-dining restaurants, cafes, and a natural foods co-op in downtown Bemidji. The historic Paul Bunyan Playhouse has a calendar of classic shows; restaurants and lounges offer weekly live music performances; the First Friday Art Walk provides a tour of new monthly art exhibits; and annual events such as the Loop the Lake Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Blue Ox Marathon, Bemidji Winterfest, and The Minnesota Finlandia bring the community together.
For those who love the outdoors, there are wooded, multi-use trail systems within minutes of campus and community parks with walking trails, playgrounds and a skate park. Lake Bemidji State Park and its miles of navigable trails is located directly across the lake from BSU, and the Buena Vista Ski Area — just 12 miles north of campus — offers downhill skiing and BSU-sponsored student transportation in the winter months. Further, the Mississippi River Headwaters is a mere 45 minutes from Bemidji.
Bemidji State Universities (BSU) vision is to educate people to lead inspired lives. To accomplish BSU's vision, the University prioritizes creating a culture in which diversity is embraced and all people are safe, welcome, and validated. Centered between the three largest Tribal nations in Minnesota – Leech Lake, Red Lake, and White Earth – BSU also prioritizes increasing engagement with American Indian communities to become a destination university.
Enrolling more than 5,000 students, BSU offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. BSU's Shared Fundamental Values include civic engagement and leadership, international and multicultural understanding, belief in the power of the liberal arts, and environmental stewardship. BSU is located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota and occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. BSU balances rigorous academia with the opportunity to enjoy a fun, robust, outdoor culture. The proximity to the lake and the surrounding north woods allows easy access to an assortment of recreation.