Special Assistant to CICS Dean

Morgan State University

Morgan State University is a public research university and historically black college (HBCU) in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Special Assistant to the Dean serves as a professional-level partner to the Assistant Vice President and Dean of the College of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies (CICS), providing strategic operational coordination, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship management in support of the College’s growth and institutional advancement priorities. This part‑time position performs high-level work directly related to executive leadership, advancement activities, and operational effectiveness.

The Special Assistant independently manages donor stewardship workflows with the Advancement Office, alumni engagement initiatives, and executive operations processes that sustain scholarship growth, employer partnerships, and philanthropic engagement. The role exercises discretion and independent judgment in handling confidential matters, coordinating communications with donors and external stakeholders, preparing executive briefing materials, and ensuring compliance with institutional and donor reporting expectations. The Coordinator manages Coursera access, a CICS alumni benefit.

In alignment with the mission of CICS to expand access, support degree completion, and serve adult and nontraditional learners, this position strengthens the administrative and advancement infrastructure necessary to sustain enrollment growth and external engagement. The Special Assistant plays a central role in supporting the CICS Alumni Affinity Chapter, coordinating Homecoming engagement programming, and stewarding the College’s growing donor and alumni relationships.

By enhancing executive capacity, safeguarding donor relationships, and supporting strategic initiatives, the Special Assistant to the Dean contributes directly to the College’s operational excellence, financial sustainability, and long‑term impact within the University and broader community.

The Special Assistant to the Dean contributes to the overall effectiveness of the CICS leadership team by maintaining organized records, managing confidential information with discretion, and supporting special projects and university‑wide initiatives as assigned.

• Lead donor stewardship and advancement coordination: manage workflows, track agreements, report deadlines, recognition commitments, and renewal timelines; draft and disseminate donor correspondence; coordinate with University Advancement and external partners; monitor engagement metrics and recommend strategies.
• Lead alumni engagement, affinity chapter support, and fundraising event strategy: coordinate the CICS Alumni Affinity Chapter, plan alumni cultivation events, scholarship recognition programs, and partner convenings; develop event budgets, coordinate vendors, monitor expenses and produce post‑event summaries.
• Manage confidential and sensitive institutional communications: handle donor negotiations, partnership agreements, personnel matters, and strategic planning; draft communications on behalf of the Dean, maintain secure documentation.
• Oversee executive operations and strategic workflow management: develop operational systems for enrollment growth and partnership expansion; prioritize executive attention; prepare briefing materials and executive summaries.
• Special projects and other duties as assigned: support Coursera rollout, onboarding new academic units, progress reporting, operational issue escalation, targeted research, data collection, and process implementation.

• Some college or equivalent professional experience with direct experience in working with adult learners and alumni of degree completion programs.

Five years of administrative experience, including direct experience working with adult learners or degree completion programs, and demonstrated experience in fundraising, donor stewardship, or membership/licensure organization management.

• Prior work experience in a student‑centered higher education institution, especially with adult learners; experience supporting senior executive leadership; familiarity with alumni engagement, advancement operations, or member‑based organizations; experience coordinating university‑wide initiatives or cross‑departmental projects; strong writing, editing, organizational, and analytical skills; effective verbal and written communication skills; demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities with discretion, sound judgment, and a high degree of professionalism.
• Experience in maintaining electronic and paper‑based filing systems.
• Detail‑oriented with strong communication skills.
• Ability to develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish tasks.