Program Specialist

General Summary of Position:

The River Hawk Scholars Academy (RHSA) is a student success and retention program at UMass Lowell, supporting first-generation college students as they navigate the transition from high school to college and beyond. The Program Specialist plays a critical role in the delivery and enhancement of programmatic activities aimed at boosting college degree completion and enriching student success. Collaborating closely with academic departments and student services, the specialist helps implement a comprehensive educational program that equips students with a holistic support network, promoting wellbeing and fostering seamless pathways to degree attainment.

The Program Specialist provides general program management and assists on the systematic collection, assessment, and reporting of data to gauge program effectiveness and inform strategic improvements. This includes tracking student participation, academic progress, and program outcomes to ensure alignment with the academy’s goals and with the intent to translate that data into actionable outreach. They will coordinate and collaborate with Academic Services, Centers for Learning, Advising, Student Affairs and other partners and may develop training material, conduct workshops, and other duties as assigned.

The Program Specialist is a grant funded position (June 2025-May 31, 2026), with potential for continuation contingent on funding.

Essential

Job Duties:

Project Management & Development:

• Coordinate, lead, and assess programs that enhance first generation student engagement and success including:
• Elevate Mentor Program
• Roads to Research
• Peer Leader Program
• Assist the development, implementation, and support of innovative practices and programming that promote student achievement with an emphasis on closing the achievement gaps in college completion.
• Create an atmosphere for first-generation students to feel welcomed, supported, and comfortable; support divisional & campus strategies on student wellbeing.
• Act as a liaison between RHSA and staff for campus services including Career & Co-Op Center, Student Activities & Leadership, Admissions, Advising, Centers for Learning, and Financial Aid Departments.
• Keep accurate and timely records of all student interactions using reporting systems of record (SiS, Salesforce, etc.)
• Serve on campus committees.

Student Outreach, Recruitment and Retention:

• Develop, implement, and coordinate strategies that meet RHSA objectives for persistence and completion.
• Provide direct services to RHSA students to deepen academic and career short- and long-term goals, research exposure, financial fluency, and wellbeing.
• Mentor RHSA students to support their personal growth, campus involvement, acquiring tools for personal and professional development, and academic success.
• Contribute to key RHSA annual events (RHSA Welcome Day, First Gen Week celebrations, end-of-year events, etc.)
• Contribute to recruitment/yield, outreach efforts, to prospective and incoming RHSA students, including weekend admissions events.

Data Management, Reporting, Visualizations:

• Develop, organize, and monitor program activities, events to recruit eligible RHSA students into offerings.
• Work closely with Academic Services, DAIR, E&I to gather, prepare, and develop annual reporting.
• Assist in the development visualizations and support divisional grant writing/fundraising efforts for RHSA providing evidence and data-driven strategies.

Communications and Outreach:

• Support departmental outreach efforts over multiple formats (including but not limited to social media, website, and written materials).
• Lead the development of a visibility & outreach strategy for RHSA driving campus awareness of programs and offerings.
• Participate in university-wide campaigns and other special projects as appropriate.
• Provide recommendations on emerging trends.

Other

Job Duties:

• Promote the University’s commitment to customer service by:
  • Building effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the University by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance when needed.
  • Ensuring optimum service to all internal and external partners in response to all requests…