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Pennsylvania State University

Academic Program Coordinator, College of the Liberal Arts

🇺🇸 Hybrid - University Park, PA 🕑 Full-Time 💰 $41K - $65K 💻 Other 🗓️ July 9th, 2026

Edtech.com's Summary

The Pennsylvania State University is hiring an Academic Program Coordinator for the College of the Liberal Arts. This role involves providing administrative support and serving as the primary contact for students across undergraduate and graduate programs within the Department of Anthropology and the School of Labor and Employment Relations. The coordinator manages academic scheduling, curricular proposals, student inquiries, recruitment efforts, degree audits, graduation checks, and event coordination, ensuring comprehensive support for students and faculty.

Highlights
  • Act as primary department contact for student and instructor inquiries and prospective student communications.
  • Coordinate course scheduling, including enrollment and classroom assignments.
  • Create and monitor curricular proposals through approval processes.
  • Support academic advisors by generating reports and handling student correspondence.
  • Manage student recruitment and retention activities, including virtual meetings and travel coordination.
  • Assist with onboarding of graduate students and administration of assistantships and fellowships in Workday.
  • Perform degree audit certifications for students in residence, online, and World Campus.
  • Process exam requests and liaise with the Graduate School and other university offices.
  • Coordinate graduation checks and follow up on outstanding academic requirements.
  • Maintain student records, process concentration certificates, and administer student surveys and communications.
  • Coordinate student-related events such as orientations, recruitment, and receptions.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Outlook, Word) for data management, communication, and documentation.
  • Requires Associate Degree with 4+ years experience for senior support or GED/High School with 2+ years experience for intermediate support; certifications are not required.
  • Salary range from $40,608 to $64,668 with a competitive benefits package including a 75% tuition discount.
  • Position requires flexible schedule availability for occasional evenings or weekends and a minimum of three days on-site weekly.

Academic Program Coordinator, College of the Liberal Arts Full Description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:


Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants
POSITION SPECIFICS
Join the College of the Liberal Arts as an Academic Program Coordinator to provide key administrative support and serve as the primary point of contact for residential and online students for all undergraduate and graduate programs within the Department of Anthropology and School of Labor and Employment Relations.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Serve as primary department contact for program inquiries; assist students and instructors with questions.
  • Respond to inquiries from prospective students.
  • Coordinate course scheduling: building the schedule, enrolling students, and changing classroom assignments.
  • Create and submit curricular proposals and monitor progress through approval.
  • Provide support to academic advisors (e.g., running reports, assisting with student inquiries and correspondence).
  • Manage student recruitment and retention efforts, including scheduling Zoom meetings and coordinating travel for recruitment visits.
  • Assist incoming graduate students with onboarding and personnel documentation. Prepare, organize, and enter graduate assistantships and fellowships into Workday.
  • Perform degree audit certification for majors and minors in residence, online, and World Campus (Penn State's online campus)
  • Process exam requests and act as liaison with the Graduate School and other university offices.
  • Support registration and record-keeping for independent study and controlled courses.
  • Conduct graduation checks, communicate with advisors and the college's academic records coordinator regarding outstanding requirements, and follow up with students to ensure completion.
  • Process Labor and Employment Relations concentration certificates.
  • Maintain student records and track academic progress.
  • Coordinate the administration of Student Educational Experience Questionnaires.
  • Responsible for student communication letters and maintain listservs.

The Academic Program Coordinator will also be responsible for coordinating student-related virtual and in-person events, such as Graduate Student Recruitment, New Graduate Student Orientation, Graduation Receptions and Majors/Minors Night.
Serving as a back-up to other members of the School of Labor and Employment Relations and Department of Anthropology academic and administrative teams to ensure adequate coverage will also occur as needed.

The Academic Program Coordinator will work both independently, as well as collaborate/have support of their team when completing the position's responsibilities.

Important Note: This position requires a flexible schedule to work infrequent weekends or evenings to support student events.

Qualifications:

  • Outstanding attention to detail and accuracy 
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; driven to provide excellent customer service 
  • Effective organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
  • Effective communication (both verbal and written) skills 
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, particularly Excel for data tracking and reporting, Outlook for communication and scheduling, and Word for document preparation
 
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONSIf filled as Academic Program Coordinator - Senior Support, this position 
requires:Associate Degree4+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as Academic Program Coordinator - Intermediate Support, this position requires:General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School (HS)2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:None
 

Important Application Instructions:

Applicants must submit a cover letter addressing their interest and relevant experience, in addition to a resume.

Additional Information:

The College of the Liberal Arts is supportive of flexible work arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.
Important Note: In accordance with College guidelines, this position requires a minimum of three days per week of on-site work at the designated work location.
 
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCESEmployment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
 Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
 
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $40,608.00 - $64,668.00.
 
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
 
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.