• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $67,300 - $75,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute (WEAI) and working in support of the Directors of the Master of Arts in Regional Studies-East Asia (MARSEA), the Program Coordinator, Student Affairs, serves as the primary point of contact for all student-facing issues and policies.

WEAI is a hub for the study of modern and contemporary East, Southeast, and Inner Asia at Columbia University. It is an integrated center for research and teaching. The Institute brings together faculty, research scholars, and students from across the university and advances knowledge and understanding of the region through academics, research programs, a renowned publications series, and a robust calendar of public events.

Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to receive full consideration. A writing sample may be requested from finalists.

Responsibilities

• In support of the Directors of the Institute’s Master of Arts in Regional Studies-East Asia (MARSEA) program, the incumbent will manage the administration of the Institute’s graduate program, including (30%):
  • Coordinate with various University student services offices as needed to ensure that optimal programs, courses, and support services are available for WEAI students.
  • Create an annual program budget, track program spending monthly, and reconcile expenses weekly.
  • Draft and disseminate program advertising materials and update the graduate program website throughout the summer and fall.
  • Plan and execute recruitment initiatives, including graduate fairs and outreach events, to attract and engage prospective students.
  • Create and monitor the application platform in the spring semester to ensure program policies and timelines are in accordance with University rules and regulations; collect application materials submitted by students and respond to student questions throughout the application process; collate application materials and submit to MARSEA Directors for review; convene and participate in meetings with directors to select students and determine financial aid offers; notify students of application status; process applications according to University rules.
  • Provide student support throughout the fall and spring semesters, including organizing student orientation and student events (including graduation celebration, career panels, etc.); work with students and program directors to secure thesis advising for all MARSEA students; hold office hours to answer student questions regarding program graduation requirements and career advising.
  • Support MARSEA Directors in program design/redesign when needed.
  • Support summer alumni initiatives annually.
• Manage the administration of student fellowship programs supporting research, language acquisition, unpaid internships, and dissertation write-up during the summer and academic year. In this capacity, the incumbent will (20%):
  • Create fellowship budgets annually, track fellowship spending monthly, and disburse fellowship payments throughout the year.
  • Draft advertising materials, both print and digital, create and monitor application platforms in the spring semester, collect application materials and respond to student questions throughout the application process; collate application materials and submit to faculty review committees; and convene and participate in fellowship meetings.
  • Draft reports and compile fellowship information for funders annually.
  • Prepare student data for grant proposals and funder reports, including federal grants.
  • Identify and pursue new fellowship funding opportunities for students.
• Liaise with East Asia-related student groups on events and programming, supervising event planning and execution, program development, and budget management (20%)
  • Create student group budgets annually; track student group spending monthly; process student group expenses weekly.
  • Provide annual orientation to student group leaders.
  • Coordinate with student group leaders on independent student group events and on events co-sponsored with WEAI.
  • APAC:
    • Hire the Asia Pacific Affairs Council President and work with that individual on overall APAC administration, including student events and the APAC Journal.
    • Hire an APAC Journal editor, meet with that individual to convey duties and responsibilities; review APAC Journal content.
• Assist Institute staff and faculty with new student-related special Institute projects from development to implementation (10%):
  • Current ongoing projects include: Panteion University & WEAI dual-degree program; MARSEA’s internship program.
• Manage the database for fellowship recipients, MA students, and alumni, etc. (5%):
  • Manage comprehensive constituent databases, including creating and maintaining records, creating reports, supporting marketing and communications campaigns, fundraising efforts, and event registration.
• Advise students on program and specialization requirements for the WEAI Certificate (5%).
• Supervise and assign work to student assistants (5%).

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent related experience.
• 2-4 years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, a high level of initiative, and the ability to work independently are required.
• Advanced degree in the fields of East Asian Studies, International Affairs, and/or Higher Education, and experience living and working in an Asian country highly desirable.
• Some proficiency in an Asian language helpful.
• Experience in a student-facing role preferred.

Other Requirements

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain high confidentiality and professionalism with a client focus.
• Strong multi-tasking, prioritization, and organization skills.
• Attention to detail, research, critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter, a fast learner who can work independently under limited supervision.
• Work well in an interactive team environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.