Graduate Program Professional Coordinator

Job Description

The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics seeks to hire a responsible and creative Graduate Program Professional Coordinator. This individual will work independently to administer and manage the Department's graduate programs and provide selected support activities under the supervision of the Graduate Director and the Department Head.

• Assisting in recruiting prospective students and advising current students on departmental programs (4+1, Online MS, Traditional MS, PhD, and graduate certificates), providing academic information and initial advising, managing applications, assistantship awards and course registrations;
• Promote, recruit and advise for the departmental 4+1 and Graduate Dual enrollment programs within the department and beyond;
• Providing student support services for the graduate program including progress reports, plans of study, student outcome assessments, graduate student office space, and HR administration of graduate student employment, including assistantship agreements;
• Serve as the department's primary point-of-contact with the Graduate School to ensure policy compliance and strategic alignment;
• Assist faculty in the department in managing the college and university governance process when creating new graduate courses, graduate certificates, etc.;
• The ability to assist faculty in identifying internal funding sources for graduate students;
• Work with the Communications Manager in the development of marketing and recruitment materials through all appropriate outlets (e.g., website, social media, department screens, power points, flyers, etc.), assisting with development and maintenance of an AAEC graduate alumni database for the purpose of follow-up contact, highlighting the achievements of alumni, and alumni engagement in general;
• Serve on various committees to support the department's development, improvement;
• Maintain Departmental key inventory and distribute keys appropriately;
• Providing redundancy with the Assistant Director for Business Operations to cover key responsibilities when this person is unavailable such as new hire paperwork and Banner transactions;
• Maintaining and enhancing personal knowledge of relevant software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint access, Adobe, Acrobat banner, Hokie, spa, Submittable and others.

• Bachelor's degree; or, equivalent applicable experience or training;
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to effectively represent and market the graduate program in different settings including website, social media, and through personal contacts and presentations;
• Strong people skills and expertise in quickly building rapport with students, faculty, and the campus community;
• Ability to work comfortably and respectfully with all individuals in a diverse multicultural environment.

• Master's degree in agriculture and applied economics or related discipline, student support or advising experience;
• Familiarity and understanding necessary to work effectively with various campus units;
• Familiarity with Virginia Tech systems in general, but especially Banner and Slate, but not limited to these;
• Familiarity with university travel policies and procedures.

4

Non-Exempt:
Eligible for overtime

Regular

Commensurate with Experience ($45,000-$50,000)

40

01/12/2026 (open until filled)

Virginia Tech is unable to support a visa for this vacancy.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands‑on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem‑solvers. A comprehensive land‑grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate,…