New Student Transition Specialist

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Primary Purpose

The Specialist, New Student Transition (Graduate), is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining integrated programs intended to support a successful transition for new and incoming graduate students into the university. This requires the Specialist to be knowledgeable and up to date on the unique needs of graduate students with special attention and focus on international students and priority populations (e.g., Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ and historically underrepresented groups). The Specialist will work collaboratively and strategically with key internal and external stakeholders and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of graduate transition programs including day to day operations, decision making and program leadership.

The Specialist demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism through their leadership, program design and operational practices. The Specialist has three primary areas of focus:

• Design, implement, assess and maintain graduate student transition programming; ensure initiatives are well-integrated and coordinated into the overall new student transition strategy and contribute to the coordination of NST-wide initiatives and processes as appropriate.
• Be knowledgeable and up to date on the needs of incoming graduate students, including priority populations (e.g., Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, historically underrepresented groups and international graduate students).
• Maintain positive working relationships with key campus and faculty partners and graduate students.

Key Accountabilities

Program Development and Administration

Develops, coordinates, and maintains targeted programs and initiatives designed to ensure the successful transition of new graduate students for all three academic terms via virtual, in-person or hybrid offerings. Apply research, best practices, and knowledge of student trends to develop and execute specialized programming for priority graduate student populations, including priority populations (e.g., Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ and historically underrepresented groups) and international graduate students. Leverages resources, knowledge, and expertise in the SSO to assist in the design of transition programs when appropriate in partnership with the SSO leadership team and campus partners.

Provides guidance to stakeholders on campus who support new student transition programs/opportunities to create an engaged and inclusive community of University of Waterloo graduate students. Contributes to the overall graduating student experience by assisting UWaterloo's convocation team to support fall and spring convocation ceremonies. Applies an equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism lens to all program design elements.

Relationship Building

Works closely with both the NST team and International Experience Centre (IEC) to ensure programs and strategies complement one another and, when appropriate, are consistent in delivery and outcomes for all incoming students. Collaborates with campus partners to ensure students are provided with necessary support, resources, and information pertinent to their University of Waterloo experience.

Facilitates strong working relationships with SSO colleagues, particularly the NST team, and collaborates on strategies that will support the successful transition of new undergraduate and graduate students and contribute to an overall positive student experience across multiple portfolios within the SSO. Establishes and maintains a network of relationships with external organizations (e.g.: Canadian Association for Graduate Studies, etc.) to remain up to date on new research, strategies and initiatives in orientation programs and new student transition literature.

Staff and Volunteer Development

Provides strong leadership to student staff including setting clear and reasonable goals and expectations, providing on-going feedback, and establishing a strong foundation for performance through comprehensive training and on-going professional development as required. Outlines clear expectations and responsibilities for student staff and volunteers, as they relate to graduate student transition programming.

Responsible for the recruitment, hiring, selection, ongoing training, appreciation, and recognition of student staff, including co-op students. Works closely with staff in the SSO and IEC, to ensure compensation and appreciation of student staff and volunteers is equitable. Maintains consistent and appropriate levels of communication with student-staff and volunteers to ensure ongoing engagement and accountability.

Research and Reporting

Strong understanding of the graduate student experience at the University of Waterloo, particularly priority populations (e.g., Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ and historically underrepresented groups) and international students. Applies current research, best practices, student development theory, and student trends to design intentional, proactive, and responsive orientation programs that are in line with the needs of our students and Faculty partners.

With the NST Manager, the Specialist contributes to the strategic priorities of their portfolio, providing regular progress reports and updates to internal and external partners. Works closely with the NST Manager to summarize and disseminate key research related to new student transition programming.

Required Qualifications

Education

University degree required; Master's degree or equivalent experience in a related field (e.g., Leadership, Higher Education, Student Services) strongly preferred.

Experience

Demonstrated experience working in post-secondary student services with student, staff, and faculty. Experience working with a student association/student government considered an asset. Program/project development and management experience is an asset. Demonstrated experience working with graduate students is preferred. Volunteer management and student staff supervision experience – particularly in a student leadership capacity an asset.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

A record of and commitment to participating in ongoing learning and engagement in the areas of equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and accessibility. Demonstrated experience applying this learning to their leadership and program development/design. Foundational understanding of the graduate student experience based on research, literature and best practice related to student retention, engagement and development.

Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, work collaboratively, build consensus and be sensitive to the needs and interests of various stakeholders, both within the department and across the institution. Demonstrated ability to use and interpret data to make decisions and communicate results effectively to various stakeholders. Exceptional organizational skills as well as the ability to multi-task, manage, and forecast required resources. Proven ability to take initiative and be both creative and flexible. High degree of political acumen.

Demonstrated ability to contribute to and thrive in a collaborative environment and to apply a positive team approach to working with colleagues within and outside of the SSO. Demonstrated ability for coaching graduate-level student staff in event management, facilitation, and program content development.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.

At the University of Waterloo, we think differently, we act with purpose, and we work together. We advance learning and knowledge through teaching, research, and scholarship, nationally and internationally, in an environment of free expression and enquiry. We are a leading global research-intensive university, renowned for entrepreneurship and innovation, providing co-op and work-integrated learning at scale with impact.